Lena had begun to suspect that her husband was being unfaithful. Recently, his behavior had grown strange and distant. After only two years of marriage, they felt more like strangers than partners. Her mother-in-law had warned her repeatedly, saying her son was capricious and that Lena should think carefully before marrying him. At the time, Lena had believed she could change him, make him commit. She had been painfully mistaken. Now, fully aware of her own naivety, it was too late to dwell on regrets. She needed confirmation: if Maksim was seeing someone else, she was ready to file for divorce.
Maksim had been coming home late. Often, Lena would already be asleep, and when she awoke, he was gone. But that evening, she resolved to stay awake. She prepared a lovely dinner, dressed nicely, and decided it was time to confront him. Lena turned off the living room lights and watched the streetlamps flicker outside. Maksim assumed she was asleep. He tiptoed in, only to startle when he heard her voice.
“Why are you sitting in the dark, trying to scare me?” Maksim snapped.
“What’s there to fear if you have nothing to hide?” Lena replied calmly, slowly turning to face him with a smile.
Maksim switched on the light, and she saw his face drain of color. Once, they had loved each other deeply—but now, a rift had formed that seemed impossible to close. The sight of him no longer stirred joy in Lena; she felt unnecessary, her emotions repeatedly silenced. Perhaps they had been stifled for good.
“You’re talking nonsense. Try being in my shoes,” Maksim scoffed. “Why aren’t you asleep?”
“I waited for you. I made dinner. We barely see each other anymore, so I thought we should make time. You work late, and I… I don’t mind staying up.”
Lena searched for the right moment to ask the question gnawing at her heart. She studied her husband, hoping to spot even a flicker of guilt. Was he afraid of losing her? Had he considered the possibility that their marriage could end?
“You shouldn’t have waited. I’m tired—I don’t want to talk. You said it yourself: I work late, not go out to have fun.”
Yet his trembling voice betrayed him. A lump of hurt rose in Lena’s throat, but she held firm, smiling again.
“Then let’s just eat together. No need for conversation. But if there’s something to say, it’s better not to hide it—so it doesn’t fester—so we can salvage at least a little before everything falls apart.”
Maksim ignored her words, pretending not to hear, and Lena decided not to press him tonight. She would watch, and wait a bit longer.
They ate in silence. Occasionally, Maksim cast her a nervous glance, then quickly looked away. The next morning, he left for work unusually early, avoiding Lena’s questions. He told her he would go fishing with friends over the weekend, but Lena discovered they had no plans. The truth became evident. Still, she would not yield; she would wait for him to make the next move.
That evening, Maksim returned home in a foul mood, smelling faintly of alcohol. Lena was there, waiting, ready for the confrontation.
“I can’t keep hiding from you. I’m afraid to return to my own home, and you’re no help—you glare at me like a wolf. We need to separate. Marrying you was a mistake. I was infatuated, and now I see you aren’t the woman I want to be with.”
Her mother-in-law’s words echoed in her mind. Alla Vladimirovna had warned Lena long ago, advising her to be careful. Now she heard the same truth from her husband.
“I’ve found someone else. Pack your things and leave. I want to live normally, not constantly make excuses. I guess you’ve figured it out already, asking all the ‘right’ questions.”
Maksim’s eyes flickered with faint guilt, but it was weak. Lena crossed her legs and lifted her chin, unshaken.
“I figured as much, but I’m not leaving,” she said calmly.
“What does that mean? Are you enjoying playing the wronged wife?” he asked.
“No one enjoys that. I’m ready for a divorce—I’ve prepared everything—but you’re not kicking me out.”
Maksim was stunned. He had expected tears, anger, perhaps submission. Instead, Lena sat confidently, smiling, seemingly in control.
“And you plan to stay here? I want to bring my new love. Do you think she’ll tolerate my ex in her space? Remember, this is my apartment. I bought it; you didn’t contribute a kopeck.”
Lena smirked. Perhaps under different circumstances she would have behaved otherwise, but the hurt inside demanded justice. He had deceived her, chosen another woman over her, lied for so long. If he had confessed sooner, pity might have softened her—but not now. Now, she had a plan, and she intended to teach him a lesson.
“Quiet. Plotting something?” Maksim asked.
“You’ll see soon enough,” Lena replied, calm and controlled. “Any guesses yet? Or do you need me to spell it out?”
She refused to grovel to a man who had betrayed her. Lena had been faithful, loving, and practical—she had prepared for this moment from the first sign of trouble. She had kept her distance, avoided pregnancy, and safeguarded herself.
“You can try to explain, if you think I’m blind to what’s obvious.”
“Fine,” Lena rose and moved to the window. “This isn’t just your apartment. It’s marital property, bought during our marriage. I won’t leave until it’s divided legally.”
Maksim’s anger flared. He had thought she naive, but Lena was sharp, calculating. He had assumed he could manipulate her—but now she was ready.
“You didn’t contribute a kopeck! That’s easy to prove!” he exclaimed.
Lena only smiled. She had already consulted a lawyer. Proving her lack of contribution would not guarantee Maksim victory. Courts generally divide property acquired during marriage equally. Maksim had trapped himself by buying the apartment the way he did.
“Try all you want. We have equal rights. I can claim what the law provides. Until the case is settled, I’m staying. If you try to bring your new woman here, I’ll make her life miserable before the divorce is finalized.”
Maksim stared, reconsidering her. Suddenly, she seemed cleverer, stronger—and more beautiful. He had given in to temptation, underestimated her. He dismissed the thought and resolved: the divorce was inevitable. Lena was too shrewd. He would have to fight for his position, but he knew he could not win.
Alla Vladimirovna condemned Maksim’s actions. She refused to defend him, insisting it was his fault entirely.
“Lena is strong. She’s acting because you’ve hurt her. You must face the consequences. Next time, use your head—or lose more than property—you’ll lose a woman who truly loved you. Replacing her won’t be easy.”
Maksim’s hopes sank at the trial’s outset. The judge ruled in Lena’s favor and ordered the apartment divided.
“Happy now? Was that why you married me?” Maksim asked bitterly.
Lena only gave a silent, reproachful glance. No justification was necessary. A new chapter awaited her.
She moved into a rental near her office and authorized her lawyer to sell her share of the apartment. She wanted nothing more to do with Maksim or his lies.
Maksim sank into depression. His new lover, learning of the apartment loss, left him immediately. She had no interest in tying herself to a man without means.
“I was just having fun. I never asked for a divorce,” she said, departing.
Maksim was left with nothing. Gradually, he realized his mother’s warning was true: he had lost more than property; he had lost his family. He spent his evenings alone, reflecting on what he had lost, yet knew Lena would not return. He needed to learn from his mistakes—but would he resist future temptations?