Why did the husband turn pale when he heard his wife’s reaction to the news of him leaving for a younger woman?
The King of Life Without a Crown
At that moment Galina Petrovna howled so loudly that everyone jumped.
« Viktor! What’s going on? Are you poor? And what about my little bastard? The bank will take the plot! It’s a family affair! Do something! »
She grabbed a napkin and began fanning herself. Red blotches covered her face.
“Mom, be quiet,” Wiktor croaked.
« Don’t be quiet! » Zhanna shouted. « You ruined my life! I already wrote on Instagram that I’m getting a new coach. Liar! Loser! »
Marina looked at this small family terrarium. At Victor, who in an instant had transformed from the king of life into a sweaty, hunched debtor.
« Enjoy your meal, » she said. « The duck is cold. Just like your new life, Vitya. »
She turned and went to her son’s room. Tioma was already standing there with his backpack. He had heard everything.
“Mom, are we going to Grandma Luba’s?” he asked matter-of-factly.
– Yes, Tioma. To Grandma Luba’s. It’s tight there, but you can’t lie there.
She grabbed the suitcase she’d packed that morning, while Wiktor was asleep. She knew. She was just waiting for the moment when the truth would be spoken aloud.
As they stepped out into the hallway, Wiktor blocked their path. He looked pathetic. His shirt was hanging out of his pants, and his glass was shaking in his hand.
« Marish, wait. Why are you so worked up? I’ve had too much to drink. Who’s Alice? She’s a secretary, a flirt, nothing more. Let’s sit down and do the math. You know how to save. You’ll think of something. We’ll tell Mom to sell the dacha… »
“Don’t you dare!” Galina Petrovna squealed from the living room. “This is a family nest!”
Marina smiled sadly.
« See? You’re not changing lives, Vitya. You’re just looking for a new neck to ride on. Mine’s tired. »
Victor grabbed her sleeve. Aggression turned to pleading, and pleading turned to anger.
« You won’t leave! You’re a wife! You have a duty! Who needs you and your child? You’ll starve! »
Marina carefully removed his hand from her arm.
« I was translating texts at night, Vitya, while you were playing. I have a safety net in my personal account that I’ve been saving up for three years. It’s enough for me to rent an apartment and live in peace. And for you… »
She looked at her watch.
– Time for you to call Alicja. Tell her Bali is canceled. Suggest a romantic dinner with instant noodles at your mom’s dacha.
She opened the door. The draft hit her legs.
The door closed heavily behind her.
Life after leaving
A month later, Marina and Tioma sat in the small kitchen of their rented two-bedroom apartment. They ate pizza, laughed, and planned the weekend. For the first time in a long time, Tioma didn’t flinch at loud noises.
And Victor?
A week later, Wiktor sold his car to close the mortgage arrears. Alicja blocked his number that same evening when she learned the cards were empty.
Galina Petrovna called her son every day, cursing him for threatening to seize the dacha. Zhanna stopped posting photos of family gatherings.
Wiktor lived in an empty three-room apartment with only a couch and a television. He ate dumplings on sale and spent his evenings browsing Marina’s social media profile.
She was smiling in the photo.
And that smile was worth more than all his past performances.
The most expensive lesson
Sometimes, to become truly rich, you don’t have to make millions. You just need to stop spending your life on people who don’t value it.
Wiktor learned his math lesson. Unfortunately, he missed the lesson in humanity.
And this cannot be improved.
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