— Dasha? What are you doing here? — Svetlana’s voice wavered with shock.
Her mind spun with conflicting emotions—jealousy, resentment, confusion. Why was this happening? Hadn’t she given everything to her family? Was she not a good wife and mother?
But what came next was beyond comprehension.
Svetlana had always believed that she and her husband, Konstantin, were meant to be together. Their happy ten-year marriage felt natural to her.
She had just returned from a business trip she hadn’t wanted to take. Her boss had insisted, saying only she could handle the problems at one of the branches.
— It’s just a few days of work, nothing more. Go tomorrow, Svetlana. Don’t even think about making excuses, — her boss had told her.
Svetlana had her own plans for those days, but when her boss made it clear there was no alternative, she reluctantly agreed. At thirty-five, she was hoping for a more stable schedule, one without the constant travel.
— Kostya, I’m leaving for a few days. Make sure Dima works with his tutor. He’s been slacking off, and I’m paying a lot for these lessons. Also, make sure he eats properly, not just chips and crackers. I’ve left some soup and cutlets for you both in the fridge.
— Alright, don’t worry, — her husband mumbled, eyes glued to his phone.
— Is that it? You’re not even upset that I’m leaving? — Svetlana asked, startled. — Can you put your phone down for a second?
— You’ll be back in three days. We’ll survive. — Kostya finally looked up and gave her a smile.
— But why are they sending you again? I thought you were done with all this travel? — he asked.
— They need someone experienced, strict, with character, — Svetlana said proudly, knowing her expertise was highly valued at work.
While she was on her business trip, Svetlana decided to return home early—just by a day. She could enjoy some time to herself before her family returned.
She pictured her evening: a relaxing bath, a face mask, maybe a nap, all while her husband was at work and her son, Dima, was at school.
She didn’t tell Kostya she was coming back early, whether out of forgetfulness or on purpose. She wanted to surprise him. Imagine his joy when he came home to a hot dinner and a wife who had taken care of everything.
On her way home, Svetlana stopped at a store to buy a bottle of wine and Kostya’s favorite cake. She dreamed of a romantic evening, hoping it could bring them closer after months of drifting apart.
When she entered the apartment, she didn’t immediately notice anything wrong. But as soon as she turned on the light in the hallway, she saw unfamiliar boots. Then her eyes landed on a pale fur coat in the wardrobe, its strong, sweet perfume making her stomach churn.
Or maybe it was the realization of what she was about to face that sickened her. This was supposed to be her night of relaxation, but now she feared her marriage was over.
Svetlana braced herself. She needed to stay composed. She wouldn’t let herself seem pathetic in front of her husband and the woman who had stolen her happiness.
As she approached the bedroom, she heard laughter and quiet conversation. She looked around, searching for something to strike them with—her emotions were running wild.
How had this happened? How had Kostya become so distant that he cheated, and even worse, invited her into their home?
She tripped over the cord of a floor lamp, the crash ringing through the silence of the apartment.
The bedroom door swung open, and Dasha appeared, wrapped in a sheet.
— Dasha? You? Oh my God! I should’ve known, I recognized that awful perfume! — Svetlana let out a bitter laugh. — How could you? You’re a bitch!
— Svetlana? What are you doing here? I thought you were away on a business trip, — Dasha said, equally surprised.
— Kostya probably didn’t expect me to come home early either, — Svetlana muttered, looking at her husband hiding in the bedroom. — Come out, Kostya! Don’t hide, it’s time for you to face what you’ve done.
— Svetochka, please calm down. You’ve misunderstood everything, — Dasha stammered, standing awkwardly at the door.
— No, these are the words my husband should be saying to me right now, — Svetlana shot back. — Get out of the way! I want to see him, face to face!
— Svetlana, please, forgive us, calm down! — Dasha pleaded.
Svetlana’s frustration reached a boiling point.
— Will you move, or not? Kostya! Come out and look me in the eye!
— No, it’s not Kostya in there! — Dasha suddenly blurted out.
— What? You’re joking! Let him come out, Dasha, I want to see him now!
Svetlana paused, her heart pounding, staring into Dasha’s eyes.
— Not Kostya? Who is it then? — she asked, her voice faltering.
Dasha lowered her gaze.
— It’s Roman, — she said softly.
Svetlana’s mind reeled. Roman? Her husband’s brother?
She pushed Dasha aside and rushed into the bedroom.
And there he was—Roman, Kostya’s brother—sitting on the bed, dressed, staring out the window.
— Roman, what is going on here? Are you out of your mind? Dima is about to come home from school, and you’re here, in my apartment!
Svetlana couldn’t believe it. She had always seen Roman and his wife, Marina, as the ideal family.
They all sat at the kitchen table, Svetlana demanding an explanation. Her conversation with Kostya would come later, but for now, she needed to understand how this had happened.
— We met Dasha at Kostya’s birthday party, remember? You took everyone out into nature. It was a great time. — Roman began, explaining. — Then, I ran into her in the city. I had a fight with Marina. She accused me of not earning enough, not trying hard enough. She really hurt me, so I wanted to get back at her. Dasha caught my attention, and we ended up meeting… It was a mistake.
— So, you’re just another man who can’t keep it in his pants? — Svetlana shot back, glaring at Dasha. — You’re a divorced woman with a child, but how could you do this to Marina? And you, Roman, you were supposed to be a role model for Kostya.
— Well, turns out I’m not perfect, — Roman muttered. — What now?
— And you meet here? There are hotels for this kind of thing! — Svetlana was livid. — You’ve got no decency, barging into my apartment!
— It’s a small town, everyone knows me. I work in the administration, — Roman explained. — We needed a place to hide. Svetlana, don’t think this is the first time. And honestly, Dasha and I don’t meet often.
— I don’t want to hear any more details, — Svetlana interrupted, disgusted. — What a disgrace.
After kicking them both out, Svetlana had no time to unwind. Instead, she began cleaning, her mind racing with thoughts of her family. She needed to figure out how to prevent this from ever happening again.
She also decided to teach Kostya a lesson.
— Darling, I just got back from my trip, and guess what? — Svetlana called her husband, her voice cold.
— You’re home already? — Kostya sounded panicked.
— Yes! And there were burglars in our apartment! But don’t worry, I’ve already locked them in. The police will be here soon, they won’t escape, — she said, a smile curling on her lips.
— No, don’t call the police! I’ll handle it, I’m coming home now! — Kostya shouted.
When he arrived, he was relieved to see her calm, smiling face.
— So, all settled? — he asked, cautiously.
— Yes, but your brother sends his regards, — Svetlana said with a smile. — Never do that again, or you’ll go live with him. But I love my clueless husband, so let’s move past it. Our apartment is sacred. Understand?
— Understood, — Kostya replied, relieved.
— And now, let’s have a romantic dinner.
— Really? — he asked, surprised.
— Yes. And after, you’ll tell me your dreams. Honestly, no secrets. I’ll share mine, too.
— Svetka, you’re amazing! And you’re not going to tell Marina anything?
— Do I need to? Let them sort it out themselves.
— You’re wise. Beautiful too. Let me kiss you.
— Dimka’s at home! — she laughed, relieved.
