Andrey wasn’t very good at lying. While packing in the bedroom, he avoided looking at Marina, the woman he’d been with for almost ten years.
“So, a conference?” she said, leaning against the doorframe. “A whole week, and in Sochi, of all places, when everyone else is on vacation.”
“Yeah,” Andrey muttered, hiding his beach shorts under a pile of shirts. “The company covers everything. It wouldn’t make sense to say no.”
“Is your colleague Vika going too?” Marina asked, not really seeking an answer but stating it as fact.
Andrey paused, then kept packing like nothing was wrong.
“Yes. She’s in charge of the presentation. Work is work.”
“Sure,” Marina said, crossing her arms. “Just like at last year’s party when you ‘worked’ until four in the morning?”
“Not this again,” Andrey slammed the suitcase shut. “I explained then—it was for an important project.”
“The same one where she deleted all her messages?”
Andrey moved the suitcase aside and finally met Marina’s gaze.
“I’m not going to argue. The plane leaves in three hours.”
“Say hi to your ‘colleague’ for me,” Marina said, stepping aside. “Have a good trip.”
Andrey muttered something and hurried out.
Marina stood in the empty room, staring at their family photo on the bedside table. Then, with determination, she picked up the phone to call someone who could help.
Mid-June in Sochi was perfect—water warm with gentle waves. Andrey lounged under an umbrella while Vika played in the sea, her tanned skin catching admiring looks.
“Come in! The water’s amazing!” she called.
“What are you thinking about?” Vika asked, swimming up and wrapping her arms around him. “Don’t tell me it’s work.”
“No, I just… forgot to send a report before leaving.”
“Liar,” she teased, kissing his cheek. “You’re thinking about your wife, aren’t you?”
Andrey frowned.
“We agreed not to bring that up here.”
“Okay, okay,” Vika said, smiling. “Maybe we should swim out to the buoys?”
That evening, they ate dinner in a seaside hotel restaurant. Vika wore a new dress she’d bought earlier. Andrey admired her as the sunset made her glow, but something still bothered him.
“Are we going to the mountains tomorrow?” she asked over wine. “I want to get some good photos for social media.”
“Sure,” Andrey said. “We’ll grab some souvenirs too.”
“Does Marina like souvenirs?” Vika asked innocently.
Andrey winced.
“Can we not start this?”
“Sorry,” Vika said, squeezing his hand. “But you can’t avoid this forever. You need to fix things.”
“I know,” he sighed. “I’ll talk to her after the vacation.”
“Really?” Vika’s eyes lit up. “Promise?”
“I promise.”
The week passed quickly—they swam, sunbathed, went on trips, enjoyed seafood, and shared passionate nights. Andrey nearly stopped thinking about home and what awaited him. Almost.
On departure day, Vika hugged him at the airport.
“Don’t forget your promise,” she whispered, brushing her lips against his. “I’m waiting for your call.”
“I remember,” Andrey said, reluctant to pull away. “I’ll call after I talk to her.”
They flew separately, so it felt safer.
On the plane, Andrey ordered whiskey and thought about how to face Marina. After ten years, they felt like strangers.
Late that night, a taxi pulled up near his apartment. After paying, Andrey paused, staring at the lit living room window. Marina wasn’t asleep. He inhaled deeply and stepped inside.
The door opened quietly. He set his suitcase down and listened. Music and voices came from the living room. “TV,” he thought, removing his shoes and walking toward the sound.
What he saw stopped him cold. A table was set with champagne and a cake topped with a candle shaped like the number “10.”
Marina sat on the sofa, but she wasn’t alone. A tall, blond man Andrey didn’t know laughed with her, his hand on her shoulder.
“What… what’s happening?” Andrey asked, voice rough.
Marina shivered and turned, eyes wide.
“Andrey? You’re back already? We thought you’d arrive in a couple of hours.”
“We? Who’s this?” Andrey asked, looking between them.
The blond man stood, smiling and offering his hand.
“Alexey. Nice to meet you.”
Andrey ignored the gesture.
“Marina, what’s this? What’s going on?”
“Forgot?” she said, surprised. “It’s our tenth wedding anniversary.”
Andrey felt like the floor had dropped out. He’d completely forgotten—and spent the week with another woman, planning a divorce.
“And you decided to celebrate with… him?” He nodded toward Alexey.
“Oh, don’t worry,” Alexey said, returning to the couch. “I’m here for work only.”
“For work?” Andrey clenched his fists. “In my house? At night? With champagne?”
“He’s an interior designer,” Marina said calmly. “I’m doing renovations while you’re away. It’s a surprise for the anniversary.”
“In one week? One room?” Andrey asked, incredulous.
“Not just one room,” Marina stood and gestured for him to follow.
Andrey trailed behind her, dazed. The bedroom was completely redone—new wallpaper, furniture, lamps, paintings.
“This…” he couldn’t finish.
“Do you like it?” Marina asked hopefully. “I wanted to change things for a long time. Thought it was time while you were at your ‘conference.’”
Andrey winced at the word “conference.”
“That’s not all,” Marina opened the next door—once his office.
Andrey froze. The space had become a nursery, with blue walls, a crib, and toys.
“What’s this?” he whispered.
Marina hugged herself, vulnerable.
“I wanted to tell you… I’m pregnant, Andrey. Fourteen weeks.”
Time stopped. He looked at her, at her gently rounded belly, the crib, the teddy bear.
“Pregnant?” The word felt strange. “But how? We…”
“Remember the night before your business trip to Novosibirsk?” Marina smiled weakly. “We were both a little drunk.”
Andrey remembered—a rare moment of closeness when their marriage was already fading.
“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”
“I wanted to be sure. Then I waited for the right moment. Then you announced your ‘conference’ with Vika.”
Andrey went pale.
“You knew?”
“Of course,” Marina met his gaze steadily. “I’m not stupid. But I decided to give us a chance.”
She placed her hand on her belly, making everything real. They were going to have a baby—their baby.
“Marina, I…” He couldn’t find words.
“Don’t say anything now,” she interrupted gently. “Go back to the living room. Alexey’s about to leave. We’ll have some champagne and talk.”
Andrey nodded, still dazed, and left the nursery. Alexey was packing.
“Happy anniversary,” Alexey said, shaking Andrey’s hand. “And congratulations on the baby. Your wife is amazing.”
“Yes,” Andrey said, voice hoarse. “Thank you.”
After Alexey left, Marina returned with two glasses—one champagne, one juice.
“To us?” she offered Andrey the champagne.
He took it but couldn’t toast.
“Marina, I need to talk.”
“I know,” she said calmly. “About Vika, your affair, your plans to leave.”
Andrey stared at her.
“Where did you find out?”
“Your phone died before you left. You took my old one to call a taxi and didn’t log out. All your messages came to me. Every single one.”
Andrey felt his face go pale, remembering his conversations with Vika—plans, promises, divorce talks.
“Marina, I don’t know what to say.”
“Don’t say anything,” she moved close. “Just answer one thing: do you love her?”
Andrey opened and closed his mouth. He thought he did, all week long. But now, looking at his wife, their renovated home, and their baby on the way…
“I don’t know,” he admitted honestly. “I’m confused.”
Marina nodded as if she expected it.
“Okay. Here’s what we’ll do.” She took the untouched juice glass and set it down. “I’ll give you one week. Pack your things and stay with friends, family, or a hotel—anywhere you want. Think about us, the baby, and how you feel. Then come back and tell me your decision.”
“What if I decide to leave?” Andrey asked quietly.
Marina closed her eyes briefly, struggling to stay composed.
“Then you’ll leave. I won’t stop you. But I want you absolutely certain.”
Andrey looked at her as if seeing her for the first time in years—the strength, dignity, and love that once drew him in but had become invisible over time.
“I don’t deserve you,” he whispered.
“Maybe not,” Marina smiled faintly. “But that’s your choice. Now go. Don’t call me this week. I want you to think, not take the easy way out.”
Andrey nodded, picked up his suitcase, and stood at the door.
“See you in a week.”
“See you later,” Marina replied.
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