— Don’t talk nonsense! What do you mean—you won’t let me back in? Me! — Vitaly stood in the doorway of his former apartment, looking surprised.
— You’re the one talking nonsense. Why have you come here, huh? Where does it say, in any law, that someone like you—who’s gone off and indulged himself—has any right to come crawling back to his ex-wife? — Liliana marvelled at him.
— Lilka, don’t be foolish. If you let me back in, you’ll regret it! — Vitaly insisted, trying to justify himself. — Have you forgotten everything?
— No, I haven’t forgotten anything. I remember perfectly well how you ran off after a young, brainless beauty, leaving everything behind. — Liliana’s smile was filled with disdain.
— And why do you keep calling her brainless? How is she brainless, huh? — Vitaly snapped, feeling a sting to his pride, nearly forgetting why he had come.
— Oh, how else? She found someone to be jealous of, you little fool. She grabbed truckloads of happiness. But I see you’ve quickly come to your senses now that you’re back.
— Stop talking nonsense! Think before you speak! — Vitaly drew himself up. — I am your legal husband…
— I was! — she interrupted, her joy evident in the way she emphasized the word.
— Well, that can be fixed quickly. I repeat—I am your husband, the one you’ve spent nearly twenty years with. We have two children together—you can’t just erase that from our lives. So stop playing games and set the table. Let’s celebrate my return.
Vitaly brought in a large suitcase and gym bag, ignoring Liliana’s protests.
— Don’t act like this! Don’t forget whose apartment this is! — Vitaly said sternly, glancing at himself in the hallway mirror.
— No, I haven’t forgotten. This is our joint apartment, which I’m now trying to sell to divide the money between us. You insisted on this when you left, remember? You demanded it. You yelled and insisted it needed to happen quickly. — Liliana reminded him.
— Well, you haven’t sold it yet, thank God! And now there’s no need to. This apartment is mine, do you understand? — Vitaly said confidently.
— Ours.
— No, mine! And you know that very well. Which is why you have no right to keep me out.
— But we bought it together when we were married.
— And you contributed what? Your tiny paycheck? Please. Without me, you couldn’t have even bought a dog kennel. I had a good position at the factory back then. I brought in decent money, which is why we decided you needed to move out of your cramped communal room and into a proper place. Remember?
— I haven’t forgotten. My memory is sharp, thank you. But the money from renting out—and later selling—my room was invested here, so don’t act like you’re the only one who contributed. I’m not as dumb as you think.
— Look at you! You’ve become bold without me. Letting yourself go… — Vitaly said sternly, his eyes narrowing.
— Listen, if you have nowhere to go, rent a room or get a hotel. Since you’re bragging about your income. I’ll sell the apartment, and that’ll be the end of it. We won’t live together again. It’s all just nonsense! — Liliana declared, indignation in her voice.
— Oh, we will! Don’t argue with me. Our children will thank us later, — Vitaly said proudly.
— They won’t. They’re on my side. They don’t even want to talk to you. — Liliana replied, satisfaction in her voice.
— I see… You’ve turned them against me, haven’t you? You’ve forgotten all order. Well, I’ll fix that, — Vitaly said, fuming with anger.
— Unlikely, — Liliana assured him calmly. — You’re wasting your time, Vitaly. If Mashka kicked you out, there’s no way things will work here. I won’t forgive you. We’re divorced, and I already have a different life.
— What? A different life? Don’t make fun of my gray hairs! Have you looked at yourself in the mirror lately? Lilek, even in your youth, you weren’t exactly beautiful, and now, in your forties, it’s even worse! You should thank me for making sure you’ll grow old with a man of worth. — Vitaly boasted cynically.
— I insist, I have a personal life now, one that has nothing to do with you. — Liliana answered calmly.
— Personal life? What are you doing? I took you as my wife twenty years ago out of pity. I felt sorry for you, you fool. Who would want a dummy like you? I made you happy. And you, ungrateful, could at least thank me for that. You could have just stayed with the girls. — Vitaly continued to belittle her.
— Of course, there you go again—in your usual role as the great benefactor, the patron, the saint! I’ve already forgotten how much you love to heap praise on yourself.
— Enough, Lil! Enough! Take a breath and start rejoicing that your husband is back. It means you’re not as bad as you think. You’re a good wife. That’s what it means! — Vitaly smiled broadly, straightening his thick, curly hair.
Liliana burst out laughing at his words.
— Your charms don’t work on me, master of seduction! Save your strength and time.
— What? Are you really going to spend the rest of your life alone? We’re still young. We could enjoy the second half of our lives together—travel, for instance. What do you think? Maybe we could go to the seaside or even farther, once or twice a year. Our children are grown up, and I make enough money to afford it. Your friends would envy you. Or we could buy a house in the countryside. We’d sell this apartment and buy one out there. Think about it. Our children, grandchildren—when they come, we’ll all gather.
— That’s a so-so idea. But you could have all that without me, with another woman.
— I don’t need anyone else. I have a wife, a legal one. — Vitaly insisted.
— I’m not your wife anymore! Get off my back! You’ve become too attached.
— I want you, — Vitaly said bluntly as he strode into the kitchen. — Now come on—feed me and stop throwing a fit. I’ve already gauged how hurt you are, but there’s a limit! Enough!
Vitaly even peeked at what Liliana was cooking, but just then, her phone rang.
— Yes, — Liliana answered with a smile. — I’m glad to hear from you. Come over, of course! But I must warn you—there’s been an unexpected development. Yes, him. Just as you suspected.
— Who else is calling you? — Vitaly asked, jealousy in his voice.
— It’s my beloved man. — Liliana answered calmly.
— Oh, don’t make me laugh! Who would want you—an old, ugly hag? Unless some fool is after you for the apartment. But let him know—this apartment is mine! — Vitaly shouted.
— Oh, how funny! A rich man with half an apartment. You’ll soon find out who I am to him. He’s coming here now.
— Stop this circus, Lilka. You’ve exhausted me, really! It’s just one of your friends, and you’re lying about some man. You’re good for nothing! — Vitaly glared at her, still furious.
— Well, well… Keep fooling yourself. You arrogant fool.
— I’ll show you! Ouch! Show some respect for your husband, — Vitaly threatened with a finger pointed at her.
Twenty minutes later, the doorbell rang.
— It’s me! I’ll open it myself. This is my apartment! — Vitaly shouted as he rushed into the hall.
Imagine his surprise when he saw, in the doorway, his boss—Dmitry Ivanovich, the deputy director at the factory where Vitaly had worked for many years.
— Oh, Dmitry Ivanovich! What a pleasant surprise! Come in, come in! I’m so glad to see you. And what brings you to my home? Are you here to offer me a new position? — Vitaly said, a broad smile on his face. — We can discuss such matters in the office. See, Lila, how management values me! They come to my home to talk about work.
— I’m not here for you. And as far as I know, Vitaly, you haven’t lived here for a year now. So step aside and let me in.
— Not for me? — Vitaly’s expression changed. — Are you joking, Dmitry Ivanovich? And if not me—a senior engineer—then who else? Not her, a mere accountant?
Vitaly looked at his ex-wife, utterly confused.
— Yes, I came for the woman I love. Hello, Lilenka, — Dmitry Ivanovich said with a smile, embracing Liliana and kissing her cheek.
— To her? — Vitaly was dumbfounded, unable to comprehend what was happening.
— Yes, to her. I proposed to her, and Liliana accepted. For that, I am forever grateful.
Dmitry Ivanovich and Liliana gazed lovingly at each other.
— What the hell? Are you playing a joke on me? — Vitaly still couldn’t believe it.
— No joke, my friend. I’m a widower, it’s been three years. I’ve always admired Liliana, and when I learned you abandoned her, I didn’t hesitate. Now we’re together.
— This can’t be happening! — Vitaly stammered, still in disbelief.
— Oh, it can. Now, pick up your bags and leave.
— But the apartment? It’s mine… ours?
— Lila will sell the apartment. We don’t need it. We’ll live in my house. She’ll give you your share from the sale, just as we agreed during the divorce. But right now, Vitaly, you have nothing to do here. So leave, and don’t make a scene.
— What about my job?
— You’re not worthy of a new position. You could mess it up at any moment. — Dmitry replied coolly.
Vitaly left with his bag, still in shock and unable to process what had just happened. He wandered aimlessly, unsure where to go next.
In his mind, one thought lingered: his own boss had chosen Liliana, the “unattractive, old woman” he thought was beneath him.
