A contract for supplying medical equipment blurred before Elena’s eyes, the numbers and clauses melting into a dull mess. She rubbed her forehead and leaned back in her chair, feeling drained.
At that moment, a phone call from her husband arrived just in time.
“Elena, hi. I’ll be late today, the meeting is running long,” came his voice.
“Again?” she murmured, flipping a page almost absentmindedly. “The third time this week.”
“Work comes first, you know. Don’t wait up for dinner; I’ll grab something on the way.”
“Alright,” Elena replied, accustomed to his frequent delays that had increased noticeably during the last six months. “See you at home.”
“Of course. Talk later.”
Just as she lifted her finger to hang up, familiar laughter filtered through the line, freezing her hand mid-air. Where had she heard that voice before?
“Igor, you promised!” a woman’s tone sounded clearer.
Elena’s heart skipped. Angela. Her former friend, estranged for two years following a fallout over money.
What was Angela doing with Igor?
“Wait a little longer,” her husband’s voice urged. “We must be cautious.”
“I’m tired of hiding! When will you finally decide?” the woman pushed back.
“Angela, we agreed. Soon, everything will work out. The main thing is that Elena doesn’t suspect a thing yet.”
Silence gripped Elena’s fingers, almost dropping the phone. What was this ‘deciding’ about? What plan were they plotting?
“That naive Elena still suspects nothing. We’ve pulled this off so close to her,” Angela laughed coldly.
“Quiet,” Igor warned sharply. “Don’t get too confident. She’s smarter than she seems.”
“I’m serious, Igor. No more delays. Sign the papers and finish this farce. I can’t bear it much longer.”
Documents? What documents? A chill swept down Elena’s spine. Was this about their marriage dissolving?
“Fine, next week I’ll meet with the lawyer. Just promise to be careful. If she suspects too soon, everything could fall apart.”
“I promise. But I won’t wait forever!”
The line crackled with sounds of a car door slamming.
“Get in, we’re leaving. I’m in a rush.”
Then the call ended abruptly.
Elena sat motionless, staring at the black screen. Her thoughts tangled in confusion: Igor and Angela, two years, documents, a plan.
Their friendship had ended in scandal when Angela misused borrowed money meant for her mother’s medical treatment, which was later revealed to be false.
But this conversation suggested they had been meeting secretly for two years all along.
- Igor kept long work delays.
- His behavior and appearance changed.
- Financial secrecy increased.
Could their past quarrel have been staged to cover up the affair?
Raising the kettle mechanically in her kitchen, Elena’s mind remained distant. The dinner ingredients sat untouched in the fridge, a habit she’d maintained in case Igor returned home. Now, that habit seemed absurd.
Her phone buzzed — a text from Igor: “Meeting’s lasting longer. I’ll be late, don’t wait.” Typical. How many similar messages had she received lately?
She recalled when the first signs of changes appeared: increased absences, new fragrances, a luxurious style she hadn’t noticed before. Also, recent unexplained cash withdrawals, visits to restaurants she had never heard of, floral shops where no flowers were ever for her.
Frustrated and overwhelmed, Elena opened their joint bank account and noted all usual expenses — utility bills, groceries, fuel. However, his personal card showed frequent cash withdrawals and unusual transactions.
A surge of helplessness and humiliation overwhelmed her. Despite the blatant signs of betrayal, she had cherished illusions about their future and dreamt of children.
Restless, she started pacing and wondered what to do next — confront openly or quietly uncover the truth.
“If she suspects prematurely, everything might collapse,” Angela’s words echoed ominously.
What exactly could fall apart? And which papers was Igor referring to?
The thought of their apartment, a wedding gift from her family but now partially owned by Igor due to marriage laws, scared her. Did he plan to take it away?
She hurried to the safe where important documents were held. Marriage certificate, property papers, passport — all intact. But copies could have been made secretly.
“Angela always knew how to manipulate situations,” Elena recalled. “Pretending her mother was ill to cover debts revealed her true cunning.”
The phone vibrated again.
“Elena, tomorrow morning I’m leaving for a business trip for three days. Forgot to mention it earlier.” Convenient timing, thought Elena — three days with Angela in a hotel.
Her reply was simple: “Where are you going?”
Igor’s answer: “Voronezh, meeting with suppliers.”
Checking her husband’s email account, to which she had access, revealed no evidence of this trip. Instead, she found correspondence with a travel agency booking a room in a Moscow suburb hotel for two.
Throughout the restless night, Elena lay awake, listening to every noise.
Igor returned near midnight, showered quietly, and soon fell asleep beside her. Normally, she welcomed his presence warmly, but now it felt like a staged act.
The following morning, Igor prepared meticulously for his supposed trip. Elena feigned sleep but watched him through half-closed eyelids.
“I’m leaving,” he whispered, kissing her forehead.
“Safe travels,” she murmured drowsily.
After he left, she dressed swiftly and headed to work, plagued by distracting thoughts. Her actions became mechanical — sorting papers, answering calls, nodding during meetings — yet her mind focused solely on uncovering the truth.
By midday, a plan had taken shape.
If Igor and Angela were indeed at the hotel, she had time to investigate his belongings at home. Maybe she would find clues to clarify everything.
Feigning illness, Elena left work early and returned home.
She started searching his desk drawers filled with mundane items like pens and chargers. Then, hidden at the very back, she found a printed appraisal of their apartment done recently.
Her hands trembled — it was clear Igor intended to sell the home gifted by her parents.
Exploring man’s wardrobe, Elena discovered a jewelry shop bag containing expensive golden diamond earrings — clearly not for her. She was allergic to gold, and Igor knew that well.
Inside his jacket pocket, a business card and a note caught her eye: “Divorce. Property division.” The handwriting was unmistakably Igor’s.
The realization hit hard. He was preparing to leave her — and to take what was hers.
Yet anger surged through her veins. A potent, cold fury against their boldness in assuming she was naive and defenseless.
Determined, she opened her laptop and took immediate action.
- Transferred all funds from their joint account to her personal one.
- Called the travel agency to delay her husband’s hotel booking, citing family problems.
- Contacted a trusted family lawyer for urgent advice on protecting her assets during divorce.
“Good afternoon, this is Elena Kravtsova, I have an urgent family law question,” she addressed the attorney.
The lawyer’s counsel relieved her worries: property gifted before marriage remained hers alone, though marital funds invested in renovations could complicate matters. Joint accounts were split, but any attempt by Igor to conceal income could influence court decisions.
“It’s wise to document all financial transactions,” the lawyer advised. “Also, gathering any evidence, such as messages or photos, can be crucial.”
Encouraged, Elena drafted a concise letter to Angela’s employer revealing their illicit relationship and its potential consequences, keeping it as leverage.
By evening, during the lawyer’s meeting, a clear strategy emerged:
- File for divorce promptly, gaining the role of plaintiff.
- Set legal terms beneficial to her.
- Present proofs of Igor’s misconduct to strengthen her case.
That night, despite the tension, a newfound sense of control filled her.
Eventually, Igor called, attempting to dismiss the situation as a misunderstanding. Elena confronted him calmly, revealing her knowledge and determination. The conversation ended with her firmly refusing any dialogue.
Colleague Marina noticed the change in Elena’s demeanor next day, sensing her newfound strength.
Within a week, Angela faced workplace reprimand and paid the price for her choices by quitting. Igor’s offers of reconciliation went unanswered.
The divorce proceeded smoothly. Elena kept her apartment, legally hers alone. Shared savings were split, though Igor’s unexplained expenses diminished his share.
For the first time in years, Elena felt her life truly belonged to her, recognizing that justice, when pursued boldly, could prevail.
Conclusion: Elena’s story reminds us that vigilance and decisive action can safeguard our well-being and rights. Even in moments of betrayal, maintaining strength and seeking expert help can turn the tide toward a fair and empowering resolution.