“Are you completely certain there’s nothing else you need from the shop?” Anna inquired once again.
“No, just go already,” Boris dismissed her with evident impatience.
It was obvious that he was eagerly anticipating her departure. Anna let out a soft sigh. Recently, Boris had become irritable and uneasy. She chose to remain silent, wishing to avoid a dispute.
Conflict was something she always tried to steer clear of. She was adept at conceding and alleviating tension.
Her mother frequently remarked that Anna would make a perfect spouse — and, in numerous respects, she had proven this to be true. Stifling her mounting frustration, Anna picked up her shopping list and left.
Her dinner plan consisted of baked salmon seasoned with lemon and rosemary, complemented by a cake recipe from her mother-in-law. She wanted to do something special for Boris. However, once she reached the checkout, a wave of despair hit her — she had left her wallet at home.
Feeling vexed, she ran her fingers through her hair and quickly dialed Boris, hoping he could bring some cash. There was no response. She requested the cashier to hold her items and hurried back to their apartment.
As she approached, the sound of voices piqued her interest. Boris was on the phone, and what she overheard left her stunned.
“Yes, I’ve considered it carefully,” he said in a calm tone. “The apartment’s nearly in my name. I just need to send the payment.”
Rooted in the doorway, Anna’s heart raced. What apartment? What payment? What was he up to?
“There’s some risk, indeed,” Boris continued. “But what can you do? She’s totally unaware. Honestly, what could she do? She’s quiet—always endures everything.”
A mix of pain and anger surged through Anna. Her fingers clenched around the doorframe. How could he speak about her in that way? After all these years, given everything she had done for him — was this the truth?
“Oh, and regarding the trip,” Boris added. “We can still visit Paris, just as you wished. Once all is settled. I can already imagine us wandering down the Champs-Élysées. You can buy yourself something nice.”
Anna stood paralyzed, stunned as her husband envisioned a future with another woman. She neither stepped inside nor fled. Once the call ended, reality came crashing down.
She quietly retreated from the door, careful to remain silent, and slipped around the corner. Her thoughts raced — should she confront him now or gather her thoughts first? How could she remain mute after this betrayal?
Suddenly, the hallway door swung open. Boris entered, oblivious to her presence. Anna watched him stroll past, then quietly exited the apartment. She required space to think.
Wandering aimlessly through the streets, her groceries forgotten, Anna eventually settled on a park bench, burying her face in her hands. What secrets was Boris concealing? Why was he behaving this way? What should her next move be?
She retrieved her phone, hesitating over her contacts. Who could she confide in? Friends might offer sympathy but little practical help. Her parents? She loathed to stress them with such troubling news after all these years.
Was he truly planning to leave? She called her closest friend, Irina, who immediately sensed something was off.
“Anna, are you crying?” Irina inquired gently.
“Not anymore,” Anna replied in a whisper before pouring out her heart.
“Come over,” Irina insisted.
Anna agreed. They conversed long into the night about Boris and the betrayal. It was helpful, albeit slightly. But on her journey home, her heart continued to churn. Opening her banking app, she noted the dwindling balance in their shared account.
“Alright,” she whispered fiercely. “If this is a game, I’m in.”
Upon her return, Boris was in a foul mood.
“Where have you been?” he snapped. “I’ve been starving all day.”
Anna clenched her jaw, placing the grocery bags down before she began unpacking.
“I stopped by Irina’s,” she replied quietly.
“Wonderful. I’m hungry, and you’re out socializing,” he retorted.
Anna maintained her silence, focusing on cooking the salmon. Boris scoffed and turned back to the television. She prepared the meal quietly, her mind racing. She could not let this situation persist. However, she needed to keep calm while gathering more information before taking any actions.
That night, Boris was engrossed in the television as Anna feigned reading a book, though her mind was elsewhere.
The following day, she resolved to take control of the situation. She called in sick and began her investigative work — searching through his paperwork and examining his computer. Then she found it: exchanges with a lawyer about divorce and asset division. The betrayal was undeniable.
How long had he been plotting this? How had she been so blind? But there was no time for regret. She captured photographs of the evidence and promptly contacted a lawyer.
While Boris was at work, Anna organized her documents and prepared herself for the upcoming challenges.
She opened a new bank account, transferred some funds, and reached out to her parents for assistance. Around Boris, she remained calm and composed, revealing nothing of her inner turmoil.
Yet, she had a surprise in store.
That evening, as Boris settled for dinner, Anna arranged the table as per usual. When he took his seat, she slid a folder across to him.
“What’s this?” he asked, furrowing his brow.
“Our future,” Anna responded with a frosty smile. “I’m filing for divorce.”
His complexion drained. He attempted to speak, but Anna interrupted him.
“Spare me your excuses. I overheard your call and read the messages. Did you think you could cheat me out of everything? Think again.”
Boris sat immobilized. Anna continued.
“Do not expect to walk away with the whole lot. I’ve secured a top lawyer and I’m prepared to ensure you receive nothing beyond your fair share. Forget about Paris — and do not try to hide or relocate anything. I possess the evidence.”
Her tone was firm.
“I have come to terms with everything. I never imagined our marriage was so fractured. You have orchestrated this ‘surprise’ for me for far too long. Well, what goes around comes around.”
Boris sat as pale as a ghost.
“Anna, please just listen…” he began.
“No, Boris. That’s enough,” she firmly interrupted. “Your games are finished. Did you believe I wouldn’t notice? That I would passively accept being discarded? You were mistaken.”
“This is all your fault!” he yelled. “You were boring! You drove me away!”
Anna looked at him in disgust.
“I never thought you were so cowardly, unable to be frank about leaving. Well, now you get what you deserve. Pack your belongings and depart.”
He shouted and laid blame, but Anna was deaf to his ramblings. Eventually, he left.
The court determined his attempts to transfer property were invalid. The assets were allocated evenly. Boris attempted to file further lawsuits, but all were unsuccessful.
Months went by. Anna gradually healed. She even attended a friend’s birthday celebration — her first genuine social event in ages.
There, she encountered Andrey, a kind-hearted doctor who had recently lost his wife. From their initial conversation, something felt distinct. He was attentive, genuine, and brought laughter to her heart. They conversed for hours as if they had known each other forever.
Unlike Boris, Andrey was truthful, supportive, and authentic. He made no promises; he merely showed up.
They began seeing each other frequently. Andrey encouraged Anna to look toward the future, teaching her about love and respect.
Not long after, Andrey proposed. Anna accepted without hesitation. Their wedding was intimate yet cozy — surrounded only by their closest loved ones. Anna exuded joy, and Andrey never took his affectionate gaze from her.
Together, they constructed a new life based on trust and compassion.
Anna left the pain and resentment behind. The divorce had been difficult, but it revealed her true worth.
Now, gazing at Andrey, she realized that genuine happiness was not about material possessions, but rather about simple human connections — warmth, support, and love. Every moment spent with him was a treasure. At last, she had discovered her true soulmate.