The door slammed shut with a dull thud. Rita stood frozen by the window, watching Vasily load his suitcases into the taxi. Two worn-out suitcases and a sports bag encapsulated nearly two decades of shared life.
“You’ll regret this eventually,” he threw over his shoulder. “Who would want you at forty-three? You dye your gray hair, hide your wrinkles… Think anyone’s going to be impressed?”
Silent, Rita felt the sting of humiliation burning inside but refused to give him the satisfaction of tears.
“No reply?” Vasily smirked. “Right, nothing to say. Without me, you’re lost.”
The taxi pulled away. She remained by the window, absently straightening the curtain while his cruel words echoed in her mind. Memories flooded her of years spent under his relentless criticism, chipping away at her self-esteem.
- “Where are you going looking like that? You’re a mother of the family!”
- “Career? What career? Who needs you there?”
- “At your age, it’s too late for any change.”
Her phone buzzed endlessly with calls from friends. Nina, Svetlana, even Marina from next door—all eager to console her. Yet Rita disconnected the phone, craving solitude.
“Forty-three…” she murmured quietly. “Could this all be true?”
The reflection staring back from the mirror was a confused woman with reddened eyes. Nineteen years as someone’s wife, building a home, nesting a family. And now? Who was she?
After a pause, she dialed her friend and managed only to say two words: he left.
“Get ready,” her friend ordered decisively. “I’m coming over. Don’t even think about declining.”
“I… what dreams, Nina? I’m forty-three…” Rita hesitated.
Nina arrived like a whirlwind, carrying bags stuffed with food and a small bottle.
“Here’s the plan,” her friend asserted. “Grab a notebook; we’re about to outline your wonderful new life. What have you dreamed about these past five years?”
“I…” Rita faltered again. “What dreams? I’m forty-three.”
“Stop right there!” Nina snapped, slapping the table emphatically. “Those words are exactly what you’ll erase—from now on!”
“It’s never too late to rewrite your story,” Nina encouraged deeply into the night.
They reminisced and revisited Rita’s postponed desires and postponed ambitions.
The next morning, a headache greeted Rita along with an unfamiliar sensation of freedom. On the kitchen table lay a paper filled with her new to-dos for the coming weeks.
“Perhaps this is madness…” she murmured, staring at the first item: “Enroll in yoga classes.”
Her phone pinged with a message from Nina, including the address of a beauty salon. “I signed you up for eleven o’clock. No backing out! New life, new look.”
At the salon, a young stylist scrutinized her hair thoughtfully.
“You have a stunning face shape,” he remarked. “Shall we take a chance?”
Two hours later, Rita hardly recognized the woman in the mirror. A chic, elongating bob with caramel highlights, natural makeup enhancing her features.
“Is this… really me?” she whispered.
“Absolutely!” the stylist winked. “Now the key is to keep going.”
That evening, Svetlana called.
“Rita, remember your dream job? There’s an art director vacancy at the gallery opening now.”
Two weeks passed, bringing substantial change.
Rita renewed not only her appearance but also her mindset, radiating victory.
“Ms. Andreevna, please come in. Svetlana praised your ideas highly.”
The interview flowed smoothly. Confidence sparkled in Rita’s eyes, and the position was hers without hesitation.
Her friends celebrated the new chapter with a small gathering in a trendy restaurant.
“Here’s to the new Rita!” Nina toasted.
“To new beginnings,” added Svetlana.
Suddenly, a tall man in a gray suit approached their table.
“Sorry to intrude,” he said bashfully, “I’m art critic Oleg Savelyev. I overheard your conversation about the gallery and couldn’t resist introducing myself.”
“Oleg?” Svetlana brightened. “The famous one? Your articles on contemporary art are remarkable!”
“Care to join us?” Nina suggested slyly, glancing at a flushed Rita.
Oleg turned out to be a fascinating companion, discussing art with unmatched passion.
Days slipped by unnoticed, work bringing Rita immense joy. It seemed this career truly was what she aspired to.
Oleg frequented the gallery. Initially for professional reasons, but eventually he openly expressed interest in Rita, inviting her to an exhibition.
“I’m unsure…” Rita began.
“Just colleagues,” he reassured softly. “I promise strictly professional.”
At the exhibition, they talked for three hours.
“You possess something special—an inner light,” he remarked.
Rita blushed. “It’s all due to my new job… and a fresh start.”
“No,” Oleg disagreed. “That light is you. It was just dimmed before.”
Later, standing by the window at home, Rita replayed their conversation. For the first time in ages, she felt not like an ex-wife, but as a joyful woman with her own passions.
“Only two months have passed.”
“So what?” her friend interrupted. “You’ve suffered enough. Now it’s time to live.”
That evening, slipping into her favorite black dress, Rita caught her reflection. Nina was right—she was blossoming. No longer the faded woman with sorrowful eyes, but confident, self-assured.
The classical music concert was perfect—the exact ambience Rita needed that night.
Oleg sat beside her, occasionally glancing her way.
During intermission, they stepped into the lobby where he spoke about the composer and the pieces’ histories.
Later, in a cozy cafe, Oleg invited Rita to Paris for an exhibition.
“I’m working on a series of articles about it. Would you be interested in coming along?”
“I’ll consider it,” Rita smiled.
“Of course,” he grinned. “You have until next week to decide.”
That night, sleep eluded Rita. She pictured Paris, its streets, museums, and cafes. Unlike before, the idea of travel no longer felt out of reach.
The next morning, Nina called.
“How was the date? Don’t tell me it wasn’t him!”
“It was wonderful,” confessed Rita. “And… he invited me to Paris.”
“What?!” her friend exclaimed. “And, of course, you said yes?”
“I told him I’d think about it.”
“Rita!” Nina’s voice carried frustration. “Just don’t refuse. You’ve dreamed about that city your whole life.”
“It’s just… so sudden.”
“Isn’t your entire new life unexpected? Remember what you said two months ago? Wanting to learn to take risks?”
Rita smiled, realizing this was precisely what she desired: the freedom to make choices and chase her dreams.
A surprise awaited her at the gallery—a private viewing invitation for a young artist’s new collection.
Though immersed in work, thoughts of Paris lingered constantly.
One evening, she called her daughter.
“Masha, how would you feel about me going to Paris?”
“Mom, that’s amazing!” her daughter exclaimed. “With your art critic?”
“How do you know?”
“Nina told me,” Masha laughed. “I’m really happy for you—it’s about time.”
Paris welcomed them with sunshine and a gentle spring breeze. Standing on the balcony of a small hotel in the Latin Quarter, Rita still marveled at how her life had transformed.
“First stop—the Louvre?” Oleg suggested over breakfast.
“Can we just explore the city first?” Rita asked.
On the third day, as they sipped coffee near Notre Dame, Rita’s phone rang. Vasily’s name flashed on the screen.
“I won’t interrupt,” Oleg said politely, rising from the table.
“Rita, you’re in Paris?” Vasily’s voice sounded uncertain. “Masha told me…”
“Yes, Vasily. I’m in Paris.”
“With that… critic?”
“That’s none of your concern,” Rita replied calmly. “For the first time in years, I’m truly happy.”
Surprisingly, Vasily’s call stirred no pain, anger, or resentment—just a distant echo from the past.
And Rita finally understood she had opened the door to a joyful future.
Conclusion: Rita’s story reveals the transformative power of resilience and self-belief. Despite enduring years of doubt and neglect, she embraced change courageously, rediscovered her passions, and ultimately found happiness. Her journey highlights that life can begin anew at any age, emphasizing the importance of pursuing dreams and welcoming opportunities as paths to fulfillment.