– You know, baby, your expensive car won’t make you better than me.
– And your tie won’t hide who you really are, Andrey.
Victoria noticed her mother’s hand tremble as she set out the plates for Sunday dinner. It was their tradition to gather together once a week, although it was becoming increasingly difficult to force a smile each time. Especially when her stepfather turned each meeting into a silent battle.
“Darling,” Andrey dramatically straightened that same tie, “please pass me the salt. You know, that white thing that costs less than your morning coffee.”
Victoria silently held out the salt shaker, watching him demonstratively take it with his fingertips, as if afraid of getting dirty. Three years ago, this man seemed like the perfect husband for her mother – gallant, successful, with a sincere smile. Who knew that the smile would turn out to be a mask behind which a petty tyrant was hiding.
“Mom, the salad is amazing,” Victoria tried to defuse the situation.
– Of course, – Andrey chuckled, – at least your mother knows how to cook. Unlike some business ladies who can only run around offices.
Olga nervously adjusted a strand of hair that had fallen out, and Victoria noticed a mark on her wrist – barely noticeable, yellowish, as if someone had squeezed her hand too hard. Something inside her trembled.
***
After dinner, Victoria helped her mother with the dishes while Andrey watched TV in the living room. The sound of the football match could not drown out their quiet conversation.
“Mom, what’s going on?” Victoria nodded at her mother’s wrist.
“Nothing, dear. I just hit the cupboard door,” Olga looked away, starting to scrub the already clean plate too hard.
— About the cabinet door in the shape of fingers?
– Vika, please…
The sound of footsteps silenced them. Andrey appeared in the kitchen doorway, casually leaning against the doorframe.
– What are you whispering about, my dears?
“About work,” Olga quickly answered.
– Oh, right. Our Vikusya is a big boss now. How are things up there, in the upper echelons? Is the air not too thin?
Victoria felt her stomach clench with anger. But she only smiled:
– Fine. By the way, how is your project? The one you supervise in the company?
His face contorted for a moment.
– None of your business.
– I just asked. We are one family, aren’t we?
Andrey stepped forward, and Victoria noticed how her mother instinctively stepped back.
“Listen to me carefully,” his voice became quiet and threatening, “the fact that you pretend to be a successful careerist does not give you the right to meddle in my affairs. Here,” he waved his hand around the kitchen, “I am the boss. And you better remember that.
He turned and walked out, leaving behind a heavy silence. Olga sobbed quietly.
“Mom,” Victoria hugged her shoulders, “this can’t go on any longer.”
– He’s just tired. Work, stress…
— No. It’s not tiredness. It’s… — she trailed off, looking out the window at the setting sun. A plan began to form in her head. — You know what? Everything will change. I promise.
She didn’t know exactly how, but she felt that the opportunity would present itself. She just had to wait for the right moment. In the meantime, she would smile and endure, storing up a cold fury inside.
***
– Victoria Andreevna, congratulations on your appointment.
– Thank you. And, Mikhail Petrovich… make sure that all the employees’ personal files are on my desk by morning.
The new office smelled of fresh paint and ambition. Victoria ran her hand over the glossy surface of the desk – her desk – and barely suppressed a smile. The list of department employees was already lying in front of her, and one name on it made her heart beat faster. Andrey Stepanovich Kotov, senior project manager. Now – her subordinate.
She remembered his words: “I’m the boss here.” Well, times are changing.
The common room for meetings was buzzing like a beehive. News of the change in management had spread quickly, but few knew the details. Victoria deliberately delayed a couple of minutes – let them be nervous.
“Here comes our new boss!” someone whispered as she entered.
Victoria glanced at the faces. Curiosity, wariness, hidden hope in those who had suffered under the old leadership. And shock – pure, undisguised shock on the face of Andrey, sitting in the far corner.
“Good morning, colleagues,” her voice sounded confident and calm. “I think formal introductions can be omitted. Most of you know me.”
She turned on the projector and began the presentation. Numbers, graphs, development plans – everything was clear and to the point. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Andrey fidgeting in his chair, turning pale and then blushing.
— And lastly, — Victoria highlighted the problematic project in red, — the Fortuna project is significantly behind schedule. Andrey Stepanovich, this is your project, right?
He winced as if from a blow:
– Y-yes, but…
— I expect a full report from you on the reasons for the delay. On my desk, tomorrow by nine. And a schedule of work to normalize the situation.
– But that’s impossible! We need to analyze it…
– By nine, Andrei Stepanovich. Or is this task too difficult for you?
A barely audible chuckle rolled through the room. One of the young specialists, whom Andrey regularly humiliated at planning meetings, did not even try to hide his satisfaction.
***
After the meeting, he burst into her office without knocking. Victoria didn’t even look up from her documents:
– Learn to knock, Andrey Stepanovich. These are the basic rules of corporate ethics.
– You… you did this on purpose?
— What exactly? — She finally looked at him. — Your appointment? I’m afraid you overestimate my capabilities. This is a decision of the board of directors.
– I will not work under you!
– Free will. You can write your resignation letter right now. – She pulled out a drawer. – I even have a form.
Andrey froze. They both knew now was not the best time to look for a job. Especially with his reputation.
“You think you’re so smart?” His voice shook with rage. “You think you can boss me around?”
– I don’t think so, Andrey Stepanovich. I’m already in command. And by the way, about commands – don’t forget about the report by tomorrow morning. Time flies.
He turned and walked out, slamming the door so hard that the glass shook. Victoria leaned back in her chair, finally allowing herself to smile. Later, the phone buzzed on the table – a message from her mother:
“Andrey is acting weird today. Is everything okay? He’s sending me weird messages.”
“Everything is fine, Mom. Just a little change at work.”
The following weeks turned into an elegant game of chess. Victoria was impeccable – professional, correct, equally demanding of everyone. But for Andrey, “equally” meant the end of his usual life.
No more late arrivals – a severe reprimand for violating work discipline. No more long smoke breaks – a remark in the personal file. The Fortuna project required overtime? Well, he’ll have to stay late, and for free – he himself brought the situation to a critical point.
“Victoria Andreyevna,” Marina, a young employee from the HR department, addressed her one day, “is it true that you know Andrei Stepanovich outside of work?”
– Why do you ask?
– It’s just… he used to be so… – she hesitated – arrogant. And now he walks around quiet as a mouse. And he even says hello in the morning.
Victoria smiled:
– People change, Marina. Especially when priorities are set correctly.
That evening, she stayed late sorting through paperwork. The empty office was especially loud when she heard her footsteps. As she passed the break room, she heard Andrey’s muffled voice:
– Yes, honey, I’m late today… No, that bitch has buried me in work again… What do you mean “it’s my own fault”?! Whose side are you on?!
Victoria would quietly pass by. At home, his mother would greet him with a cold dinner and silent reproach. Another small stone in the foundation of his personal hell.
Victoria felt for the keys in her purse and sat down tiredly in the driver’s seat. Accidentally catching her gaze in the mirror, she froze. When did it appear – this unfamiliar, steely expression? A wrinkle between her eyebrows, slightly pursed lips, some dangerous spark in her eyes. For a moment she felt uneasy – as if she saw Andrey’s shadow in the reflection. The same coldness, the same imperiousness… Victoria shook her head, driving away the uninvited thought. No, she was different. She did not have his petty cruelty, his desire to humiliate just for the sake of pleasure. She had a reason. And until her mother was safe, until this man disappeared from their lives – she would not turn from the chosen path.
The phone buzzed again. This time it was from the HR director:
“Tomorrow at 15:00 – certification of key employees. Andrey Stepanovich is first on the list.”
Victoria smiled. The game continued, and the next move was hers.
After two months of daily humiliation at work, Andrey finally broke down. Victoria saw it in his shaking hands at meetings, in his glassy gaze, in the smell of alcohol that he tried to hide with gum. She methodically destroyed his career, but did not expect the denouement to come so suddenly.
Her mother’s call caught her in the elevator after work:
“Vika…” the voice broke into sobs, “he… he’s completely gone crazy…”
– What’s happened?
– He came home drunk… smashed all the photos… said it was your fault…
A rumble on the other end of the line. A scream.
Victoria had never driven so fast.
The front door was ajar. Andrey’s voice could be heard from the living room, shouting incoherently about a conspiracy, about how everyone had betrayed him. The sound of broken glass. His mother’s sob.
– Shut up! This is all your fault! You and your damn daughter! You thought you were the smartest?!
Victoria flew into the room and froze. The shards of family photographs crunched under her feet. Her mother sat hunched over in the corner of the sofa. A bruise was forming on her cheekbone.
— Get away from her.
Andrey turned around. Madness splashed in his eyes:
– Here she is! The main bitch herself!
– I said – move away.
– Or what? – He took a staggering step towards her. – What are you going to do to me? Fire me? – Hysterical laughter. – And I already quit! Today! So now…
– Now you are an unemployed alcoholic who raised his hand against my mother.
She pulled out her phone. On the screen was an open letter, ready to be sent. Andrey squinted, trying to focus his gaze on the text.
“It’s a job description,” Victoria explained calmly. “I sent it to twenty of the city’s largest companies. With a detailed description of your ‘professional qualities.’ Do you think anyone would want to hire you?”
– You… you can’t…
— I already did. Now guess what will happen if I add information about domestic violence to the letter? With photos of bruises and a medical report?
He lunged at her, swinging his arm, but tripped over the coffee table and fell heavily to the floor.
– Scum… you are the same scum as I am…
– Maybe. But the difference is that I won. You have five minutes to pack your things. Then I call the police.
He looked up at her, and his gaze was full of hatred and fear. Then he turned his gaze to Olga:
– Darling… you won’t allow it…
“Go away,” she said quietly, looking away. “Just go away.”
The morning was surprisingly sunny. He and his mother were sitting in the kitchen, like in the good old days. Coffee was steaming in cups, pancakes were cooling on the table.
“I filed for divorce,” Olga smoothed out the invisible folds on the tablecloth. “Do you think I did the right thing?”
– I think you did it too late. But better late than never.
The mother looked up at her:
– You have changed, daughter.
– I know.
– Sometimes you scare me. There, at work… you drove him crazy on purpose, didn’t you?
Victoria took a sip of coffee. Hot, strong, without sugar – like her revenge.
“I just showed him what it was like to be weak. To feel like a victim. Only, unlike him, I never crossed the line.
“And still,” Olga shook her head, “there is something scary about this. As if darkness has conquered darkness.”
– No, Mom. It was justice that won over cowardice. Yours – being afraid to leave. Mine – being afraid to interfere. His – being afraid to show his true face to his superiors.
She stood up and went to the window. The first spring flowers were blooming in the yard. It was strange – she hadn’t even noticed how winter had passed.
– Do you know what’s the funniest thing? – Victoria turned to her mother. – He himself taught me that there can only be one master in this house. He was right. He just chose the wrong candidate.
Olga smiled – for the first time in a long time, sincerely and calmly:
– You understand that I don’t approve of your methods?
– I understand. But you do understand that I would do it again?
They were silent for a moment. Birds were chirping outside, the wind was stirring the curtains, and the air smelled of freedom. A little bitter, like cold coffee, but still – freedom.
– Mom, – Victoria sat back down at the table, – let’s go somewhere? Just the two of us, like before?
“Go ahead,” Olga squeezed her hand. “Just help me clean up those damn roses he brought me first. I hate thorns.”
Victoria laughed. Something inside her finally let go. She became different – stronger, tougher, more cold-blooded. But now, looking at her smiling mother, she knew: it was worth it.
Want to get inside Andrey’s head? The next part of the story is about his feelings during everything that’s happening. From the very beginning of the story.
Andrey watched Olga bustle about in the kitchen, preparing Sunday dinner. So submissive, so… proper. Not like her daughter. Just thinking about Victoria made his stomach churn with anger. Upstart. Did she think that because she wore expensive suits and drove a new car, she was someone special?
He remembered the first time he saw her – at Olga’s birthday party. Funny, Victoria had seemed like a nice girl to him then. A little wary, but shouldn’t a daughter worry about her mother’s happiness? He was in his best suit, talking about work, about his plans for the future. Smiling. He knows how to smile when he needs to.
The first year of their marriage was… bearable. Olga tried, tried very hard to be a good wife. But Victoria… With each passing month, she irritated him more and more. Her successes in the company, her independence, that eternal challenge in her eyes. As if she saw right through him.
“Never mind,” he thought, deliberately commenting loudly on her new suit at the Sunday table, “I’ll show you your place.”
But she didn’t break. She just looked at me with her cold eyes, which gave me goosebumps. And with each passing day the anger inside grew, demanding an outlet. It’s good that Olga understood – sometimes a man needs to let off steam. Bruises heal quickly, and a wife’s obedience is right, that’s how it should be.
The news of her appointment hit him in the gut. He sat in the toilet stall, staring at the wall, shaking. What? How dare this girl? This should have been his job. He had been here for years, knew all the ins and outs, knew how to negotiate with the right people…
The first meeting had been a nightmare. He remembered her walking in, confident, collected, with a barely noticeable smile. His new boss. Stepdaughter. Creature.
“Andrey Stepanovich, this is your project, right?”
Even now, remembering that moment, he felt his ears burning. Humiliation. Pure, unadulterated humiliation. And those giggles… He knew his colleagues were quietly rejoicing at his downfall. Especially the young people he kept under his thumb. That was the way it should have been – let them know their place.
But now his own place was at the foot of the stairs.
The bottle helped. First one, then more. Olga was silent, just looking at him with that hunted look of hers. But now there was something new in it. Something like… contempt? No, his wife couldn’t, she didn’t dare!
“What are you staring at?” he would growl in the evenings. “Do you think you’re better than me?”
She didn’t answer. She only sobbed sometimes at night when she thought he was asleep.
Work turned into torture. Every morning – like going to the scaffold. Victoria was impeccable, damn professional. He couldn’t find fault, couldn’t complain. He just watched as everything he had built over the years collapsed. His authority. His power. His life.
“The report is on the table by nine, Andrei Stepanovich.”
“Being four minutes late is a violation of labor discipline, Andrei Stepanovich.”
“Are you sure you can handle the project, Andrei Stepanovich?”
Andrey. Stepanovich. Every time it’s like a slap in the face.
And then something snapped. Maybe it was when he saw Olga laughing on the phone with her daughter, in a way she hadn’t laughed with him in a long time. Or when the secretary who used to be so afraid of him “accidentally” spilled coffee on his new shirt and didn’t even apologize. Or when he caught his reflection in the bathroom mirror, dented, red-eyed, pathetic.
The bottle was no longer helping. He felt control slipping away, reality coming apart at the seams. The screams at Olga were getting louder, angrier. But now she wasn’t crying – she was just looking at him with this new look. Like Victoria.
As if they knew something that he didn’t.
He remembered the last day poorly. He remembered only the rage that clouded his eyes. The crash of broken photographs. Olga’s scream. And then she appeared – Victoria. Cold, calm, with a phone in her hands. And he understood.
All this time he thought he was playing his game. That he was the hunter. But he turned out to be the victim.
“You have five minutes to pack your things.”
Standing on the street with a suitcase in his hands, he looked at the windows of their house for the last time. There, upstairs, the light was on. They were alone, mother and daughter. And he… he had become nobody.
Andrei straightened his tie, a final gesture of dignity, and wandered off into the gathering dusk. Somewhere in the city there was another bottle for him. The last consolation of a fallen king.
