Irina has spent years living with Alexey’s constant criticism, doing all the cooking, cleaning, and caretaking while he dismisses her job and her exhaustion. One evening, after scolding her for dust and dinner, he abruptly announces that they should “take a break” and moves in with his mother. Irina is devastated at first, crying for days—until her mother and her best friend Tanya help her remember herself.
Tanya drags her to dance classes, where Irina laughs for the first time in a long while. She starts taking care of herself, grows more confident, gets noticed at work, and even receives a promotion. She goes on a short beach vacation and realizes she feels alive again—happier without Alexey than she ever was with him.
When Alexey calls asking to meet, he assumes she’ll return to her old role: quit her job, cook, clean, and live “properly.” But in the café where they used to go together, Irina calmly tells him she wants a divorce. For the first time, she chooses herself.
She packs his things, buys fresh flowers, brews the tea he never liked, and breathes freely in her own home. Each day she grows stronger—going out with friends, dancing, planning courses and new goals.
When Alexey returns only to collect his suitcase, the chapter finally closes.
Irina looks in the mirror and sees a woman who is imperfect but alive, confident, and free. She steps outside to meet Tanya, ready to celebrate her new life.
