Inna stood by the window, watching raindrops trace playful patterns as they slid down the glass. Seventeen years together—was that a long time or a short one? She recalled every single day of their marriage, every anniversary, every gift exchanged. And now, everything had fallen apart like a fragile house of cards.
“We need to talk,” Alexey’s voice was unexpectedly flat.
She turned to face him, meeting his gaze filled with a mix of resolve and guilt. “I’m leaving, Inna. I’m going to Natasha.”
Silence settled, broken only by the ticking of an old wall clock—a gift from his mother—filling the still room.
“To a student from your faculty?” Inna’s voice was calm, almost detached.
“Yes. My feelings have changed. I need new excitement, new experiences. You’re intelligent—you should understand.”
Inna smiled faintly.
“Are you sure?” she asked simply.
“Absolutely. I’ve already packed,” he replied.
She walked over to the cupboard and pulled out a special bottle of wine they’d saved for an important occasion.
“Well, I guess this is a special moment then,” she said as she uncorked it. “How about a farewell dinner? Invite your friends and family. Seventeen years is no small thing.”
Alexey looked surprised.
“You want to throw a party for our divorce?”
“Why not?” she smiled. “Let’s end this marriage in style. After all, I am a smart woman, remember?”
She started texting their relatives and friends.
“Tomorrow at seven. I’ll cook your favorite dishes. Consider it my farewell gift.”
Alexey stood there, speechless. He had expected tears, anger, accusations—but not this quiet acceptance.
“Oh, and Natasha’s invited too. I want to meet the woman who sparked the new feelings you couldn’t find with me.”
The next day, Inna woke early. She made calls to banks, met with a lawyer, and prepared all the paperwork—everything was meticulously planned.
By evening, their apartment was filled with the scent of gourmet dishes. Inna arranged the table with their finest dinnerware—a wedding gift from his mother.
“Everything must be perfect,” she murmured.
Alexey’s mother, Vera Pavlovna, awkwardly hugged Inna.
“Innochka, maybe there’s still a chance?”
“No, Mama. Sometimes the right thing is to let go.”
Friends arrived gradually.
“Please, take your seats,” Inna said, guiding them to the head of the table. “Tonight, you’re the guests of honor.”
Once everyone was seated, she stood with a glass raised.
“Friends, we’re here to mark the end of one chapter and the beginning of another.”
Turning to Alexey:
“Lyosha, thank you for seventeen years. For all the highs and lows, the joys and the sorrows. You taught me a lot—like how love can take many forms.”
A murmur swept through the room. Natasha nervously fidgeted with her napkin, avoiding eye contact.
“You also taught me to pay attention to details,” Inna added, “especially financial ones.”
She spread out documents on the table:
“There’s the car loan, taken on our joint account. The tax debts from your business. And these—receipts from restaurants and jewelry stores. Looks like you were trying to impress Natasha?”
Alexey’s face went pale. Natasha lifted her gaze sharply.
“But the most important,” Inna said, holding up one final document, “is our prenuptial agreement. Remember when you signed it without reading? There’s a clause about property division in case of infidelity.”
The room fell silent.
“The apartment is mine. The accounts are frozen. And the divorce papers were filed last night.”
She looked at Natasha:
“Are you sure you want to build a future with someone who has no home, no savings, but plenty of debts?”
“Excuse me, I have to go,” Natasha said quietly.
Vera Pavlovna clung to Inna.
“Lesha, how could you? We raised you better.”
“Mama, you don’t understand…” Alexey started, but his father interrupted.
“No, son, you don’t understand. Seventeen years isn’t nothing. And you threw it all away… for an affair with a student?”
The friends avoided each other’s eyes, silent. Only Mikhail, Alexey’s longtime friend, quietly said:
“Lesha, you really messed up.”
Inna stayed standing, glass in hand.
“You know what’s funny? I believed our love was special. Like the couples in fairy tales who stay together forever. I ignored your late nights, strange calls, new ties and shirts.”
She took a sip.
“Then I noticed the receipts—jewelry stores, the ‘White Swan’ restaurant, spa visits. The same places you once took me.”
Natasha returned but stayed in the doorway, clutching her purse.
“Alexey Nikolaevich, we need to talk. Alone.”
“Of course, dear,” he rose, but Inna stopped him.
“Wait. Remember our first apartment? That tiny one-bedroom on the outskirts? We were so happy then. You said we only needed each other.”
She smiled sadly.
“Now look at you—expensive suits, a fancy car, a young mistress. But it’s all built on lies and debts.”
Natasha’s voice trembled.
“You said we were divorced, living apart, that you’d buy us an apartment.”
“Natashenka, I’ll explain,” he pleaded.
Silence filled the room.
Without a word, Natasha fled the apartment.
“Inna,” Alexey held his head. “Why are you doing this?”
“Why?” she laughed bitterly. “Did you expect me to cry, beg, crawl at your feet?”
She scanned the room.
“You know what’s most amusing? I truly loved him—all the wrinkles, every gray hair, even his snoring. I was ready to grow old with him, raise grandchildren.”
“Maybe it’s not worth it,” Vera Pavlovna whispered.
“No, Mama. It is,” Inna raised her voice. “Let everyone know. Let them see how your son took out loans for gifts to his mistresses, how he drained our money, lied to me, to you, to everyone!”
She shared another document.
“Lesha, remember three months ago when you asked me to sign papers for the tax office? That was a loan guarantee. You mortgaged my car, can you believe it?”
Alexey’s father stood solemnly.
“We’re leaving. Call us when you come to your senses.”
Vera Pavlovna hugged Inna.
“Forgive us, dear. We never expected this.”
“Don’t apologize, Mama. This isn’t your fault.”
Alexey sat, his expensive suit now a costume of shame.
“You know, I could have confronted you sooner—thrown a tantrum, destroyed your suits, made a scene.”
“But I chose another way,” Inna said.
“I’m flying out tomorrow. The Maldives—always dreamed of going there, but you called it a waste.”
She placed the keys on the table.
“The apartment must be sold this week. Don’t try to access the accounts.”
Alexey looked at her sadly.
“What am I supposed to do now?”
“That’s no longer my problem,” she said.
“You know what’s ironic? I’m grateful to you. You woke me up, made me realize life goes on without you.”
She walked to the door and glanced back once more.
“Goodbye, Lesha. I hope it was worth it.”
The door closed softly. Alexey was left alone in the empty apartment, while Inna stepped into the first chapter of her new life.
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