I packed my things and left on good terms, my wife said, as if it were a final note.
Your affairs dont interest me, Victor, I told her. Everythings clear now. Gather your cash and head off in any direction you like whether back to your ex or to the new one.
What do you mean head off? And what about Kostya? she snapped.
Youve just remembered Kostya? Funny You should have thought about him earlier, when you were running around instead of working or helping with the kids, not now when youre suddenly bringing him up.
Hey, Lark, why the long face? her brother called as he opened the door to their family home.
Serge arrived on holiday two days ago, and the shrieks coming from deep inside the flat told me hed already stirred up a good bit of chaos.
Aunt Lark, hello! shouted his daughter, Emily, as she rushed into the hallway to see who had turned up.
The crying didnt stop.
Whos that yelling? I asked.
Its little Tommy sharing his toys with Billy, the fiveyearold explained, sighing dramatically and folding her hands over her chest. Did you bring anything tasty?
I did, but Grandma will hand it over later. First soup, then sweets you remember the rule.
Right, I remember, Emily sighed again and slipped back into the bedroom.
The twins finally settled down, deciding who would play with what without knocking each other over.
Whats wrong with you, Laura? I pressed, having watched my stepdaughter and sisterinlaw chat in silence.
I dont know, Laura said, dropping her bag on the coffee table and starting to pull off her shoes. I think Victors cheating on me. He says Im paranoid and need treatment, but
Come into the kitchen and tell me everything, I suggested.
She nodded, stripped down, and we moved into the little kitchen. I switched the kettle on, and Laura settled at the table, ready to spill.
There wasnt much to say. Shed met Victor five years ago. In his previous marriage hed been unable to have children, so he and Valentina split friends they called themselves.
That socalled friendship kept getting in Lauras way.
He texts her right before bed, you know? Im lying there, the baby sleeping in the next room, and hes chatting away.
Shed once rushed over to greet her husband in the hallway, only to see him typing away again. Lately he stayed late at work, and when she complained about handling the child alone and needing an extra pair of hands, he just muttered about his reports.
And now hes started nagging me, how hard can it be? The kids in nursery all day, youre just at home.
Wait, hows that at home when youre also working remotely?
Remote work means you sit at the kitchen table, do nothing, and still get paid, she scoffed. What a joke, working eight hours for a salary that pretends youre not commuting.
Have you tried checking his phone? See who hes really chatting with, ex or anyone else.
Youre insane! Laura gasped. Thats invasive, not to mention what if Ive just imagined everything? How would that look?
Honestly, what does a chat with an ex look like when theres nothing left? a voice called from behind.
Julia, my wife, had been listening to most of Lauras complaints. She slid her phone across the table, screen glowing with an open conversation.
Whats that? Laura asked.
Its a chat with Emilys father, Vladimir. Read it.
Theres nothing here three short messages in a month about when hell pick Emily up, what hell buy her, and when hell bring her home.
Its not true. Theres also a Mothers Day card tucked somewhere, and my birthday greeting in the same format, Julia said, feigning outrage. Notice we also split with Vladimir amicably. We share a daughter, and hes fully involved, not just paying child support. If Id been texting him instead of you, Id already have divorce papers.
Exactly youd have caught him if youd looked, Julia added.
What if theres nothing? How would I look? Could this ruin our marriage and Id just be the paranoid one?
God, shes at it again, I muttered, rubbing my face.
I have an idea, Julia said after a pause.
Whats that?
Your husbands always using work as an excuse. Why not pop over to his boss and ask how long this is supposed to last? Not as an accusation, more like a pity plea I barely see him because of overtime, I had to take Kostya to the doctor, I cant get an appointment with the dentist because he disappears after work. See how his manager reacts. If his job really is that demanding, maybe hell get a lighter schedule. If not, youll see a different side.
The suggestion seemed sensible, and Laura decided to try it. She actually knew Victors boss, Mr. Whitaker, as a regular face around town.
Walking over to his office wasnt a problem. He greeted her, and she replied with a quick, rehearsed line that steered the conversation.
Nothing much, Mr. Whitaker. Victors stuck at work till late, so Im left with the house, the nursery, and caring for Kostya all evening.
What keeps him there so late? Whitaker asked, genuinely puzzled.
Victors already asking for leave at four, saying he needs to help me with the kid and pick him up from nursery, even popping into the doctor now and then, Laura said. Im fine with his work, but is he really lying to my face? Could you give me a moment to call him?
Laura dialed Victor and, in a normal tone, asked when hed be home.
Maybe you could leave early? Take Kostya to the park while I tidy up, she suggested.
Id love to, but Ive got a deadline. Sevas piled on so much work I feel like Im being driven like a wolf, Victor snapped. I tried being reasonable wife, kid but its all my problem, not yours. He even threatened to fire me if I kept demanding special treatment.
Did you threaten me with dismissal? Seva his colleague barked. My problems dont matter to you? Ill sort you out tomorrow.
Laura promised, Ill see what I can do.
They hung up. Victor didnt return that night, showing up only the next morning.
Listen, he began, theres something I need to tell you
Your business doesnt concern me, Victor. Its all clear now. Pack your pounds and go wherever you wish back to your ex or wherever.
What does go mean? And Kostya?
You just thought of Kostya? You shouldve thought of him earlier, when you were skipping work or helping with the child, not now when you bring him up.
But I
I gathered my things and left on good terms, but Laura finished, tapping the phone.
After lunch her motherinlaw called, not to patch things up but to deliver news of a pregnancy Valentinas, the woman Victor had once broken up with as friends. That pregnancy, which had once threatened to destroy their marriage, was now back on the table.
Im glad it happened, the motherinlaw gushed. Valentina always liked me, and you and your unruly son Laura hung up, refusing to listen further.
In an instant she stopped caring about Victor, his former wife, or any of the drama surrounding them. Only she and her son mattered; everyone else became a page to turn over and forget, as if theyd never existed.
But the pages wouldnt turn. Three years later, when Kostya finally started school, the old story resurfaced.
