Anne left the supermarket with full bags of groceries, rushing to get home to prepare a festive dinner to celebrate her 40th birthday. Only close friends and their families were invited. Lost in thought, she stepped off the sidewalk onto the parking lot road and was knocked off her feet by a sharp push from behind.
She fell, dropping the bags onto the asphalt and scattering their contents. Anne screamed in surprise and pain. Excuse me, lady, for God’s sake, I don’t know how it happened.
Where did you come from? The frightened driver of the car helped Anne to her feet, very upset about what had happened. You almost ran over me. Who even gives such people a driver’s license? Anne exclaimed, rubbing her injured hand from the fall.
Well, you’re good too. You should have looked around, protested the stranger. Anne gave him a fiery look.
The man lowered his tone. I’m sorry, I was wrong. Let me take you home.
I’ll get the groceries now. The man picking up the bag began to collect the scattered products. Anne, coming to her senses a little, realized that she was partly to blame for the accident.
She softened her tone a little. You’re right, it’s my fault. I was lost in thought.
This is the result. If you could give me a ride home, I would be very grateful. My name is Matthew, the man smiled and held out his hand to the stranger.
Anne, she replied, smiling. On the way home, Anne and Matthew had an easy conversation. Your husband is lucky.
Beautiful, smart wife. Unfortunately, I was not so lucky. My wife left me with a little daughter in my arms.
That’s how we live. Do you have children? Anne’s face changed at the question. The question of children was her pain.
Having been married for a long time, she never managed to become a mother. Of course, Anne was not going to talk to a stranger about this, and she replied briefly. No, we don’t have children.
We’ve arrived. Thank you for the ride. Have a nice day.
The car stopped at the high gate, behind which was a large, beautiful house. Anne, I’m sorry if I offended you, Matthew said, noticing that he had upset the new acquaintance, but he did not understand what exactly. No, you forgive me.
My nerves have been giving way lately. Thank you again. Anne quickly unpacked the groceries and started preparing dinner.
When the table in the living room was already set, and there was very little time left before the guests arrived, Anne called her husband, but he did not answer the call. Anne sighed heavily. Lately, her husband had been staying at work until late at night.
He often got irritated at all of Anne’s questions and said he had a critical project. With time, Anne got used to her husband not being at home and learned to live with it. There was a doorbell on the intercom.
Looking at the screen, Anne saw Gwen and Wes smiling. They had been friends with the couple since their college years and were probably the only friends of Anne and her husband. Christopher preferred not to let strangers into their home and life, except for friends from their youth.
Anne, you are such a beauty. It seems like you are forever twenty-five, no more, said Gwen admiringly. You are wonderful…
Happy birthday, dear. This is for you. Wes handed a beautiful bouquet to Anne.
And where is our hard worker? Is he not here yet? Well, you know, it’s always urgent projects, meetings and business for Christopher, Anne replied. I don’t understand how you can endure such a life. You’re always alone.
Maybe you should go to work. Wes is actually looking for a new specialist and, as you know, finding a good architect is as difficult as finding a surgeon. I remember you were the best in the course, Gwen suggested, feeling the oppressive atmosphere in her friend’s home.
I would be happy to, but you know that Christopher is against it, Anne replied. Anne, forgive me, of course, but I will say what I think about it. Christopher is selfish and you are foolish.
Don’t you see that he has turned you into a housekeeper and spends his time when he wants? It’s so convenient for him, Gwen expressed her opinion. Well, my dears, I am glad to see you. Please come to the table.
As for Christopher, I hope he can join us soon. Anne tried to smooth the situation, leading other guests to the festive table. After some time, when the company had eaten their fill and were now remembering the curious stories of their student years, Christopher finally returned home.
The man was serious and smiled at the guests more out of politeness than joy. Christopher, you could have come earlier today. We haven’t seen each other for so long, and it’s your wife’s birthday today.
And where are the flowers for the hostess and beloved woman? Gwen couldn’t remain silent when she saw Christopher walk into the room empty-handed. I am also glad to see you, but work doesn’t wait. Wes probably understands me, the man replied, showing everyone that he did not like listening to such speeches.
I didn’t have time to buy flowers. I was rushing, as you see. Anne, happy birthday.
Thank you, dear. Anne opened the box and smiled sadly. Christopher never bothered about getting her a gift.
He always gave his wife something from jewellery, and this year was no exception. The table became a little more cheerful with the arrival of the homeowner, but constant messages on his mobile phone interrupted conversations. At the end of the evening, after saying goodbye to Anne and Christopher, friends left the big house, and silence fell again.
Anne began to clean up the table, and Christopher was constantly absorbed in his phone. When the cleaning was done, Anne turned to her husband. Christopher, don’t you think that even when you’re at home, you’re very far from it in your thoughts? Anne, don’t nitpick.
I’m working. Okay, I understand. The woman sat silently and walked to the bedroom.
Barely holding back tears, she entered the room and allowed herself to cry. Despite being married, Anne felt very lonely and unwanted. Her father passed away when she was young, and her relationship with her stepfather never really worked out.
Thankfully, Anne’s friends never disappeared from her life. Otherwise, she would have been completely alone. Anne remembered her conversation with her friends, and seriously considered the need to start working.
She could spend her time productively and not feel so lonely. The next morning, Anne woke up early and noticed that her husband wasn’t next to her. She had a bad feeling and knew that something wasn’t right.
Anne peeked into her husband’s slightly open study door and saw Christopher sleeping on the couch, hiding under a jacket. Her heart raced in her chest. Something was definitely going on with her husband and their family as a whole.
After taking a shower and getting ready, Anne went downstairs to the living room. Christopher was sitting in a chair, staring thoughtfully at the landscape beyond the window with a cup of coffee in his hands. He didn’t notice his wife’s presence at first, and when Anne greeted him, Christopher jumped in surprise.
You’ve been acting strange lately. Are you okay? You slept in the office? Are you avoiding me? Christopher, do you encounter problems at work? What’s going on? Anne asked all the questions that bothered her. We need to talk, Christopher replied in a calm voice…
Yes, I wanted to talk to you as well. I know you’ll be against it, but I’ve decided to start working. I’ve fallen in love with another woman.
She’s pregnant and we’re expecting a child, Christopher answered in the same mundane tone of voice. Anne’s vision blurred. She swayed and could barely stand.
But how long has your affair been going on, was all she could ask. What does it matter? I found out about the pregnancy yesterday, if it’s so important to you. Christopher said.
Thank you for not ruining my birthday, whispered Anne and her tears streamed down her face. Listen, let’s do without hysterics, Christopher said. Christopher, don’t you care about my feelings at all? And what do you care about mine, Anne? I’m 40 years old and all of my acquaintances already have children.
And what do we have? Christopher raised his voice, completely unaffected by his wife’s tears. How dare you blame me for not having children? You know how much I’ve been through, how many doctors I’ve seen. Anne, stop this spectacle.
Why all this tragedy? Thousands of people get divorced and move on. Understand, I will soon have a son and I will finally be happy. Tonight, when I come back, we will discuss the details of the divorce.
Christopher said and left, slamming the door behind him. Anne collapsed on the floor, crying from pain and humiliation. Christopher decided that the first thing he would do was to stop by his mistress, Ellen, and let her know that he had finally confessed everything to his spouse and that they would soon get divorced.
He planned to legalize his relationship with Ellen afterward. Christopher used his key to open the door to the apartment he rented for Ellen, but was surprised to see her packing her things in a huge suitcase. I’m home.
Why isn’t anyone greeting me? And what’s going on here? Are we going somewhere? He asked with a smile. Ellen was surprised to see Christopher. Ah, hi, darling.
I didn’t expect you so early, she said. So you didn’t answer me. Are we going somewhere? Christopher asked, twirling Ellen in his arms.
The young woman pouted theatrically. Christopher looked at her questioningly. Yes, we’re going to your beautiful country house where your wife is currently enjoying life.
Well, dear, she has nowhere else to go for now. I have to buy her an apartment. Understand I can’t just throw Anne out onto the street, Christopher explained, frowning.
But Ellen wasn’t listening to him. I don’t want to understand anything. We’re a family.
There are almost three of us. And we are huddled in this miserable tiny apartment while she lives alone in her pleasure in the big house. Besides, our baby needs fresh air, and we’re forced to live in the city and breathe this polluted air.
Ellen was almost in tears, gently stroking her stomach for greater persuasiveness. You’re probably right. Don’t be upset.
Don’t upset our son. Well, then we’ll move, Christopher said. Anne was shocked by her husband’s betrayal and couldn’t gather her thoughts.
After sitting on the couch for half a day, she thought it was just a cruel, silly joke. Christopher will come and say that it’s a prank. Just a prank, Anne repeated aloud like a spell.
The incoming call on her mobile phone made the woman tremble. She didn’t want to talk to anyone, but wiping away her tears, Anne looked at the phone screen. Her heart was pounding wildly in her chest.
Christopher was calling. Flicking her finger up the screen, she answered the call, but the knot in her throat didn’t allow her to say a word. Are you there? OK, you don’t have to say anything.
Listen, I found you an apartment. You need to take a look at it, Christopher said. Anne didn’t bother to listen to her husband’s delusional speech and simply hung up.
She believed that such issues should be discussed face to face, not over the phone. Brewing herself a cup of herbal tea, Anne settled on the cozy terrace of her home. She loved this house very much.
They bought it together with her husband when they were very young, invested their souls in it and gradually built their lives together. And now Christopher, as if nothing had happened, as if all those years together had never happened, says that he found her an apartment. Scoundrel, Anne hissed aloud.
Wiping away her tears, she tried to pull herself together, but the happy moments of their married life that surfaced in her memory wouldn’t let her rest. The woman was in a broken state, seriously considering whether she should continue living with emptiness and loneliness ahead. Unnoticed by Anne, evening arrived.
She was still lost in thought and didn’t even notice when her husband returned home. Christopher found his wife and immediately got down to serious talk. Anne, what was that? You hung up the phone and didn’t answer my calls.
We are adults, after all. Let’s part peacefully and amicably. I’m not holding you back.
What do you mean? What don’t you understand? I’m not holding you back. Go to your mistress if you want. I found you an apartment.
An apartment? Then go there. I’m in my own home and I’m not going to vacate it for your mistress. In the worst case, we will sell it and divide the money…
I think that would be fair. Anne, this is actually a house bought under my mother’s name, if you remember. Moreover, it cannot be sold as it is under mortgage.
Excellent, dear. Now I understand why you insisted on registering the house in your mother’s name. You covered your back very well.
Do you remember that I sold my apartment years ago and invested everything I had in this house? I remember everything. That’s why I’m telling you that I found you an apartment. You need to see it and then we can finalise the deal and also the divorce.
Well, fine. Live here. But remember, you have to answer for everything in this life.
For everything. And you will definitely answer for the pain you caused me. The next day, Anne went to see the apartment her spouse had found for her.
Along the way, she remembered how happy she and Christopher had been. How much they had gone through together to achieve what they wanted. What it had cost to arrange their home.
And how strongly she supported her husband. Anne had sacrificed her own career for her spouse. She had helped him with complex projects.
And now the woman simply couldn’t understand how Christopher could easily find a replacement. Anne understood that the main reason that she was at the divorce stage was the lack of children. This topic was very painful.
How many times had she run around to the best doctor’s offices? How many pills had she taken? How many injections had she endured? But all in vain. Doctors had just shrugged and couldn’t explain why, after so many years spent together, she and her husband had no children. Christopher never blamed his wife for this problem directly.
But nevertheless, he was sure that the problem was with his spouse. Anne was very pained to listen to when Christopher talked about Gwen and Wes, their growing son. Lost in thought, the woman didn’t notice that she was standing right in front of the entrance to her new home.
The apartment was on the fifth floor. Turned out to be quite spacious and bright. Of course, it couldn’t compare to a private house.
But it was suitable for comfortable living. Where I started once, I end now, muttered Anne. The next day, her suitcases were almost packed.
She took only what was hers and sadly looked back at her home. Alas, she never found true happiness there. Christopher, what is she doing here? A woman cried out behind her.
Anne turned around to see a young girl standing in front of her. She was about 20 years younger than Anne, beautiful and confident. Anne could have easily been Christopher’s daughter.
Anne smiled, feeling a lump in her throat. She wanted to run away from these people. But she composed herself and calmly replied, I am still at my own home, darling.
And by the way, I am still your lover’s lawful wife. As for what you are doing here, that is a good question. No shame, no conscience.
Where do you all come from, disgusting people? Anne turned to her husband. I think I said that your mistress shouldn’t be here before I left. She is not a mistress, but the mother of my son.
Anne, stop the hysterics. It will lead us nowhere good. We are modern people, the man said in a raised voice.
Very modern indeed, the woman laughed. Christopher, you have never understood people. And you are very wrong now.
Look at her. There is a scrolling line on her forehead. I’m looking for a rich daddy.
The man frowned but remained silent. Ellen rolled her eyes theatrically and began to lightly touch her still very flat stomach. Anne could not help but laugh.
Girl, what is your name? Anne asked. Dear Christopher, this girl is a natural actress. I am certain that the surprises in your life are just beginning.
Anne heard a sound of an incoming SMS on her phone and breathed a sigh of relief. The taxi had arrived at the gates of the house. Taking two large suitcases, she rolled them towards the exit.
Christopher watched his wife leave with sadness in his heart. Something was bothering him, something unpleasant in his soul, and at some point he even wanted to stop this madness that was happening in their life. But Ellen quickly resumed playing her role, as if sensing that something was wrong, and tried to shift the attention of the man she adored to herself.
Christopher, my dear, something hurts badly in my lower abdomen, Ellen complained. The man quickly came to his senses. My dear, you should not worry.
Rest and stay in peace and quiet, as the doctor said, remember? Said the man, and holding the waist of his beloved, he gently sat her down. Anne left the walls of her once beloved home, holding on to her dignity until the end. It was unbearable for her to see the woman who destroyed their family being treated with such tenderness and care by her husband.
And what awaited Anne herself ahead, she was even afraid to imagine. In the taxi she let her tears flow. The driver sympathetically looked at the passenger in the rearview mirror, and eventually asked, Are you okay? May I help you with something? I’m sorry, I just couldn’t hold back my emotions anymore…
It’s just that my husband brought his pregnant mistress into our home. That’s all, Anne replied with sadness, tears streaming down her face. You know, but I’m not certain that such a beautiful woman can be replaced.
What a fool your husband is, replied the driver. Well, where is that beauty? I’m already forty. He found himself a young girl, Anne responded.
Dear woman, you’re only forty. It’s the perfect time to love, live and thrive. As for the youth people, they’ve got nothing but wind in their heads.
What’s the use of their youth? I’m sixty-seven. Trust me, as an experienced man, everything will be fine for you. And when that happens, your husband will come back.
But will you need him later? It may seem like the end of the world now, but believe me, you will soon remember this situation with complete indifference. You may even laugh about it later. Anne was truly grateful to this wonderful stranger for his support and kind words.
She listened to him, and in her heart, hope for a happy future began to grow. In her first month in her new place, Anne was arranging her life. The apartment in the new building was spacious and comfortable, but it couldn’t compare to the cosy home where she had spent many years.
Perhaps the woman would have gone crazy from loneliness and sad memories if it weren’t for her childhood friends, Gwen and Wes, who supported her as best they could. Wes took Anne on at his company without hesitation. Little by little, Anne settled into her new work environment, where she was greeted warmly by the team, and when she received her first paycheck in many years, her happiness and joy knew no bounds.
Gwen was a frequent visitor to her friend’s home. Wes, in turn, on his own initiative, stopped communicating with Christopher. The man only called him once as soon as he found out what had happened and, of course, did not support his friend’s betrayal.
One night, Anne stayed at work late. There was an urgent project that they couldn’t seem to finish on time for the client. Wes was already desperate and was sure that his company would fail the project and the client would go to a competitor.
But Anne, remembering everything she had been taught at the university for many years, worked hard and fixed the situation. Leaving the finished project on Wes’ desk, she left the office. It was quite damp and cold outside.
The piercing wind literally blew through her coat. Anne shivered from the cold. Oh, my bad, I should have called a taxi in advance.
The woman scolded herself aloud. Looking around, Anne saw the headlights of a parked car on the other side of the street. The road was empty, so deciding to take a shortcut, she resolutely moved forward to cross the four lanes of the roadway.
A second later, as soon as Anne stepped onto the road, a car jumped out from around the corner. The headlights blinded her. She heard the squeal of brakes and stumbled out of fright.
You’re crazy! I’m probably tired of living! She heard the voice of a man getting out of the car. It’s you who’s crazy. Watch where you’re driving, snapped the woman, fully aware that she was in the wrong.
Oh, an old acquaintance. Hello. The same people are always on the road, heard Anne, a mocking male voice, although he seemed familiar to her, the headlights still blinded her, and she couldn’t see the face of the driver who had approached her.
Let me give you a hand, I’ll help you up. Thanks, I’ve already been helped. My knees and hands are bruised.
Tomorrow is an important day for me. I have to present the project to the client, and you’ve ruined everything for me. What will the client think of me? Anne said reproachfully.
And you should tell this person the truth, that you’re a frivolous person who often throws herself under the wheels of a car, replied the driver. You’re a bore. You’re right, that’s the type of person I am…
Either way, get in the car, I’ll take you home. Or leave the road, I’m in a hurry. Okay, okay, I don’t want to go in this state.
Take me home. Take me home! It’s your responsibility because you practically hit me with your car. Anne quickly got up from the wet asphalt and plopped down on the passenger seat.
When the driver turned to her, she said in surprise, You? Matthew, if I remember your name correctly. Yes, that’s me. I recognised you right away.
