Marina froze. Her heart skipped a beat. She looked at her husband with wide eyes, not believing her ears. Was this really happening?
Andrey stood opposite, smiling his signature charming smile. The same one that had once captured her heart. Now this smile seemed like a false mask. Behind it Marina saw cold calculation.
“Calm down,” she told herself. “Don’t give yourself away.”
– Darling, why such a proposal? – Marina tried to make her voice sound as innocent as possible.
Andrey shrugged casually:
– Well, you know, we’re a family. Why should we split our finances? It’ll be more convenient.
“Yeah, more comfortable. More comfortable for you,” Marina thought.
She remembered that fateful day two weeks ago. An ordinary Tuesday. Nothing foreshadowed trouble…
Marina returned home early. She had a headache, and her boss let her off work. She quietly entered the apartment, hoping not to wake Andrey – he had a day off.
As she passed the office, Marina heard her husband’s voice. He was talking to someone on the phone.
– Yes, Seryoga, everything is going according to plan. A couple more weeks and I’ll convince this fool to transfer the money to the joint account. And then – goodbye, family life! I’ll take the money and get out of here…
Marina froze in her tracks. Everything went dark before her eyes. Her legs became weak. She leaned against the wall to keep from falling.
It can’t be… She misheard, right? This is some kind of monstrous mistake!
But no. Andrey continued to speak, and every word he said was like a knife to the heart:
– You’re right, we need to act carefully. She’s not stupid, she might suspect something. But I’ve already thought it all out. I’ll pretend to be a caring husband, I’ll say, let’s pool our finances, there’s no need for us to count our own and other people’s money…
Marina covered her mouth with her hand to keep from screaming. Tears ran down her cheeks. How could he? For what?
Seven years together. She loved him more than life. She believed every word. And he…
Somehow, Marina found the strength to quietly slip out of the apartment. She wandered the streets, not paying attention to where she was going. Fragments of phrases she had heard were spinning in her head.
“Fool… money… I’ll run away…”
She returned home late in the evening. Andrey met her as if nothing had happened. He kissed her and asked how her day had gone.
Marina looked at him and did not recognize him. Who was this stranger? Where was that loving husband whom she trusted infinitely?
For two weeks she lived as if in a terrible dream. She smiled, cooked dinners, discussed plans for the future. But inside, everything screamed from pain and despair.
And now Andrey stood before her with this damn proposal. Marina understood – the moment of truth had come.
She took a deep breath.
– You know, dear, I just wanted to talk to you about money…
Andrey’s eyes sparkled with interest.
– Yes? And about what?
– You see… – Marina paused. – I met an old friend of mine the other day. He’s a financial consultant. And he advised me to invest my inheritance in securities. He said now is the time, you can make some good money.
Andrey’s face lengthened.
– What? What other securities?
– Well, how is it, dear? You yourself always said that money should work! – Marina smiled sweetly.
– Yes, but… – Andrey hesitated. – Maybe it’s not worth the risk? After all, it’s a large sum…
– Oh, what risk is there! – Marina waved her hand carelessly. – I’m not going to invest everything. For starters, 30-40 percent. And then we’ll see.
Andrey turned pale.
— 30-40 percent? But that’s…
“More than a million, yes,” Marina nodded. “But don’t worry, I’ve calculated everything.”
She could hardly contain her malicious grin as she watched her husband nervously fidget with the collar of his shirt.
“And when are you going to do it?” he asked hoarsely.
– Even tomorrow! – Marina answered carefree. – I’ve already prepared the documents. All that’s left is to sign.
Andrey swallowed.
– Listen… Maybe we shouldn’t rush? Let’s discuss it some more, weigh the pros and cons…
– What is there to discuss? – Marina was surprised. – You yourself just suggested combining our finances. So let’s start with this investment. Can you imagine what kind of income there could be?
She almost laughed, looking at her husband’s confused face. Poor guy, he doesn’t know what to do. The plan is falling apart before his eyes.
“You know what,” Andrey finally said. “Let’s not rush. I… I want to look at these papers myself, study the conditions. Who knows what the catch is.”
“Okay, darling,” Marina agreed accommodatingly. “As you say. Look, study. I’m in no hurry.”
She mentally applauded herself. The first round was hers.
In the evening, lying in bed, Marina replayed the events of the day in her head. Her heart still ached from the pain of betrayal. But a new feeling was mixed in with it – excitement.
“Well, hubby,” she thought. “Shall we play?”
——————————————————————–
For the next few days, Andrey walked around as if he had fallen into a daze. Marina could hardly contain her malicious grin, looking at his sour face.
On Friday evening he couldn’t take it anymore:
– Listen, I’ve been thinking… Maybe I shouldn’t get involved with these securities? Too risky.
Marina feigned surprise:
– Yes? I thought it was a great idea. You said it yourself – money should work!
– Well… – Andrey hesitated. – I meant something more reliable. For example, real estate.
— Real estate? — Marina shook her head thoughtfully. — I don’t know… It’s such a hassle — buying, registering, then renting, looking for tenants…
– But it’s a stable income! – Andrey perked up. – And apartment prices are constantly rising. In a few years, you can sell them for a good profit.
“Aha,” Marina thought. “In a few years. That is, not right now. It didn’t work out with the overall score – decided to approach it from a different angle?”
“You know, you’re right,” she said out loud. “That’s not a bad idea. Let’s think about it.”
Andrey’s face brightened.
– Really? Do you agree?
– Of course! – Marina stroked his hand affectionately. – You are so smart. You always find the best option.
She barely restrained herself from laughing as she watched her husband literally blossom with praise.
“God, you’re so predictable,” Marina thought. “How could I have been so blind all these years?”
The next day, Andrey enthusiastically began studying the real estate market. He spent hours at the computer, calculating something, calling realtors.
Marina did not interfere. She was busy with her own affairs, only occasionally inquiring about her husband’s successes. He readily shared:
— Can you imagine, I found a great option! A two-room apartment in a new building, a good area. And the price is very attractive.
“Yes?” Marina responded absentmindedly. “That’s wonderful, dear.”
She tried hard to feign interest, but her thoughts were far away. Marina was thinking about her next move.
A week passed. Andrey was full of enthusiasm:
– Darling, I’ve calculated everything. If we buy this apartment and rent it out, in five years we’ll be able to double the money we invested!
Marina smiled:
– Sounds tempting. What documents are needed for purchase?
– Well, the standard set, – Andrey shrugged. – Passports, marriage certificate. And, of course, a bank statement confirming the availability of funds.
“Oh, well, yes,” Marina nodded. – By the way, about the score…
She paused. Andrey tensed:
– What’s happened?
– Oh, nothing special, – Marina waved her hand casually. – I just remembered – I need to go to the bank to get a new card. The old one expires in a month.
“Oh, right,” Andrey responded with obvious relief. “Of course, go.”
Marina chuckled to herself. Gotcha, my dear.
***
The next day she did go to the bank. But not for a new card.
“Hello,” she said to the manager. “I need to close my account.”
“Of course,” the girl smiled. “Which account exactly do you want to close?”
“This one,” Marina handed over the extract.
The manager looked at the paper and whistled:
– What a sum! Are you sure you want to close?
– Absolutely, – Marina nodded. – And I want to transfer all the money to another account. Here are the details.
She handed over another piece of paper.
“Okay,” the manager nodded. “Let’s get all the necessary paperwork done.”
An hour later, Marina left the bank with a light heart. The deed was done. Now she could stop worrying about her husband getting to her inheritance.
In the evening Andrey greeted her with a question:
– Well, did you go to the bank? Did you reissue the card?
“Yes, everything is fine,” Marina smiled.
– Great, – Andrey nodded. – Listen, I was thinking – maybe we could go and look at the apartment in a few days? The one I was talking about.
“Of course, dear,” Marina agreed. “When you say so.”
She could hardly contain her laughter. I wonder what his face will be like when he finds out there is no more money in the account?
Two days later they actually went to see the apartment. Andrey was in high spirits. He chatted incessantly about the advantages of the area, the layout, the prospects.
Marina listened with half an ear, nodding in the right places. She was amused by how her husband was trying to impress the realtor and the owners of the apartment.
“We approach the choice very seriously,” Andrey said. “It’s an investment in the future!”
“Whose future?” Marina chuckled to herself.
The apartment really turned out to be not bad. Light, spacious, with good repairs. In another situation, Marina might have really thought about buying it.
“So, do you like it?” Andrey asked when they went outside.
“Yes, dear, a very nice apartment,” Marina nodded.
– Excellent! – the husband rejoiced. – Then let’s not drag it out. We’ll start drawing up the documents tomorrow.
“Okay,” Marina agreed calmly. “And how much do I need to pay as a deposit?”
“Usually it’s 10% of the cost,” Andrey answered. “That is, in our case…” he quickly calculated in his mind, “about half a million.”
“I see,” Marina nodded. “Well then, let’s go to the bank tomorrow morning and withdraw some money.”
Andrey’s face lit up:
– Excellent! I knew you would agree. This is a really good investment.
He was in high spirits all evening. He even cooked dinner and opened a bottle of wine “for celebration,” as he put it.
Marina supported his enthusiasm, but internally she was preparing for tomorrow. She understood that the outcome was near.
In the morning they went to the bank. Andrey was literally glowing with anticipation.
“Hello,” he said to the manager. “We need to withdraw money from the account. Here are the details.”
He held out the paper. The manager glanced at it, then checked something on her computer. Her face became puzzled:
– Sorry, but there are no funds in this account.
– What? – Andrey turned pale. – How come there isn’t? It can’t be!
“Nevertheless, it is so,” the manager shrugged. “The account is empty.”
Andrey turned to Marina:
– What’s going on? Where did the money go?
Marina looked calmly into his eyes:
– I took them off. Three days ago.
– What?! – Andrey choked with indignation. – How could you? Why?
– Because, my dear, – Marina answered icily, – I know about your plans. I heard everything. Your conversation with your friend, where you called me a fool and were going to take my money and run away.
Andrey turned white as chalk. He opened and closed his mouth, unable to utter a word.
– What, have you swallowed your tongue? – Marina grinned. – And here I thought you were a master at pulling the wool over our eyes.
She turned to the stunned manager:
– Sorry about this scene. We’re leaving now.
Coming out of the bank, Marina stopped and looked at her husband:
– Well, Andryusha, how are you going to “get out” now? With what money?
Andrey finally found his voice:
– Marina, listen… It’s not what you think! I can explain everything!
– Really? – She smiled coldly. – And how do you explain the phrase “I’ll take the money and run away”? Maybe it was a prank? Or a rehearsal for a play?
“I… I didn’t mean it that way,” Andrey mumbled. “You misunderstood…”
“Oh, shut up,” Marina said tiredly. “I hate listening to your lies. Seven years… Seven years I believed your every word. And all this time you…”
She shook her head:
– You know what? I’m even glad that everything turned out this way. At least I finally saw your true face.
– Marina, please… – Andrey tried to take her hand. – Let’s talk. I’ll fix everything, I swear!
She pulled her hand back:
– Don’t touch me. And don’t you dare come near me. I’m filing for divorce. And you… you can go wherever you want. Good luck finding a new “fool” with money.
Marina turned around and walked away. Her soul was bitter, but at the same time she felt relief. As if she had thrown off a heavy burden that had been dragging her down all these years.
She didn’t know what was waiting for her in the future. But she knew one thing for sure – she would never let anyone deceive her again. And she would build her own happiness, without looking back at her “loving” husbands and their selfish plans.
That evening, Marina was sitting at home, sipping a glass of wine. The doorbell rang. A courier was standing on the threshold with a huge bouquet of roses.
– Marina Sergeevna? You have a delivery.
She took the flowers with a sigh. There was a note attached to the bouquet. In Andrey’s handwriting:
“Darling! Forgive me, a fool! I realized everything, I repent! Give me a chance to fix everything! I can’t live without you!”
Marina crumpled the note and threw it in the trash. Then she took out her phone and dialed the number:
— Hello, delivery service? I want to place an order. Yes, a bouquet. The biggest one you have. And candies, a box. Where should I deliver it? To the orphanage on Lenin Street. Yes, anonymously. Thank you.
Marina hung up and smiled. Let these flowers bring joy to at least someone.
She went to the window. It was getting dark outside. People were hurrying home after work. The usual evening bustle.
Suddenly Marina felt an inexplicable surge of strength and confidence. As if a second wind had opened up. She realized that life was not over. On the contrary, everything was just beginning.
Taking the phone, Marina dialed the number of her old friend:
– Hi, Lenka! Listen, remember you were talking about photography courses? Are they still relevant? Great! Sign me up.
Then she opened her laptop and went to the travel agency website. It was time to fulfill her long-time dream of traveling to Italy.
The next morning Marina woke up feeling light and free. For the first time in a long time she felt truly alive.
Andrey continued to call and text. Marina blocked his number. The past was in the past.
A week later, she was on a plane to Rome, a camera lying next to her, a gift to herself for her new life.
Marina looked out the window at the clouds floating below and smiled. She didn’t know what was waiting for her ahead. But she was sure it would be something beautiful.
After all, she was now the mistress of her own destiny. And she was going to live this life the way she wanted. Without looking back at other people’s expectations and plans.
And the money? Well, it really should work. But not for scammers and fraudsters, but for good deeds.
Marina decided that she would spend part of the inheritance on herself. She would fulfill the dreams that she had long put off “for later.” And she would use the rest to help those who were less fortunate.
Orphanages, animal shelters, charities… So many opportunities to make the world a little better!
The plane began to descend. Marina fastened her seatbelt and sat up straight. Her heart began to beat faster with anticipation.
A new chapter of her life was about to begin. And she was ready for this adventure.
As she exited the plane, Marina paused for a second. She took a deep breath and stepped forward decisively.
Towards a new self. Towards the future. Towards the happiness she will build with her own hands.
