Olga was actively flipping through a culinary magazine, making notes in the margins. The new recipe for French julienne paid her attention.
“I’ll have to try adding porcini mushrooms instead of champignons,” she thought.
Only when she heard heavy footsteps in the hallway did Olga realize her husband had come home.
“Olezhek, you’re already home? I found such an interesting recipe!” she asserted.
“Can you imagine, you can mix French and Russian cuisines! It’s going to be something extraordinary!”
The man silently passed by her, not even glancing her way. He smelled of expensive perfume and women’s scents.
Olga felt an unpleasant chill run down her spine.
“Dinner’s ready. I made your favorite…”
“Enough!” Oleg interrupted sharply.
“I’m tired of your culinary experiments! It’s the only thing you ever talk about! I’m not interested. I’m tired!”
“What is this?” Olga said.
“Divorce papers. Sign them. And no hysterics.”
“What are you saying? Divorce? Everything’s fine between us! Just recently, we celebrated your promotion. You told all your relatives what a wonderful wife I am.”
“You were a wonderful wife!” Oleg yelled, unbuttoning his expensive jacket.
“For a middle manager… maybe. But now I’m the deputy CEO! I have a different circle of people, different prospects. I have a new level of life. Standards that you don’t fit into. I’m already ashamed to admit you’re my wife. It’s an embarrassment! Just think, who are you? A housewife obsessed with recipes! A grey mouse! You’re not my level!”
“But I thought…” Tears rolled down Olga’s cheeks.
“I wanted to write a book. Start my own culinary channel.”
“God, how petty and pathetic that sounds!” Oleg sneered.
“Do you hear what I’m saying? I need a woman of a different level. Educated, well-groomed, who speaks three languages. Not a cook with dreams of a cookbook.”
“So, there’s someone else?” Olga said.
“Yes. And she’s a hundred times better than you. With her, I feel proud, and I respect myself. With you, it’s the opposite. Unfortunately, our marriage is no longer relevant!”
“Two years! Two years I’ve been here! When you started as a simple manager! When you didn’t have money for a decent suit! I cooked, cleaned, and ironed!”
“Exactly!” He cut her off.
“You’ve just been a laundress and a cook. But I’ve grown! Alright, enough of this empty talk! Sign the papers and let’s end this circus. The apartment’s yours, so I’m moving out. I’m not claiming anything. I’ll send people for my things tomorrow.”
“Yes, honey, I’m on my way. Wait for me at our restaurant.”
The door shut forcefully.
“How could this happen?” her mind kept asking.
“When did it all go wrong? And why didn’t I notice?”
The next morning started with a knock on the door. Olga, who hadn’t slept all night, slowly shuffled to open it to the unexpected guests.
“Hello! We’ve been sent by Oleg Vladimirovich. We’re here for the things,” one of them said politely.
“Here are his things,” she said softly. “But be careful with the blue suit. It’s his favorite.”
“It was his favorite,” she mentally corrected herself.
While the movers packed the things, Olga dialed her friend’s number.
“Alla? Hi! Are you at work?”
“Yes, what’s wrong?” the woman asked anxiously. “Your voice sounds strange.”
“Oleg… he brought divorce papers yesterday,” Olga’s voice trembled.
There was a long pause on the other end of the line.
“God… Olya, I’m so sorry! Although, to be honest, I feared this. Since his promotion, your husband’s become a completely different person.”
“What do you mean?”
“Sit down. This will be a long conversation,” Alla sighed.
“Since he was appointed deputy CEO, it’s like he’s lost control. He started being rude to subordinates, humiliating everyone. Especially women. And then this… Marina Vitalyevna showed up.”
“Who?”
“New HR manager. Young, ambitious, from a very wealthy family. She quickly got Oleg wrapped around her finger! They started having lunch together, staying late in the office.”
“Did everyone know?”
“Sorry, darling! I wanted to tell you, but I didn’t know how. I thought maybe it was just a temporary phase. But they’ve completely lost all sense of decency! They openly flirt during meetings, leave together for lunch. And last week, she was flaunting a diamond ring—gifted by a ‘special man.’”
The sound made Olga surprised.
“I’ll call you back,” she quickly said and hung up.
The next hour flew by in a blur.
The movers carried out all of her husband’s belongings, leaving an empty space in the wardrobe. Olga mechanically gathered the scattered ties, closed the empty drawers.
In the pocket of an old jacket, she found their joint photo: still happy, smiling. Unable to bear it, she tore the picture into tiny pieces.
The phone rang again. It was Alla.
“Olenka, how are you? I can’t stop thinking about you!”
“You know what I just thought? I’m actually grateful to this Marina. She showed me my husband’s true face. Or rather, my soon-to-be ex-husband.”
“What are you going to do?”
“I don’t know yet. But I won’t sit here and cry. Enough!” Olga’s voice had a steely tone. “For two years, I lived his life. Maybe it’s time to start my own?”
“That’s right, girl!” Alla perked up.
“But you know what? Don’t rush to sign the papers. Let him suffer a bit.”
“No! I’ll sign them. I don’t want to degrade myself by holding on to someone who’s betrayed me. But that doesn’t mean I’ll forget and forgive everything. He’ll pay for every tear I shed!”
She quickly removed her phone and dialed a number.
“Good afternoon! I’m calling about organizing a corporate event. Yes, I’d like to book a large hall for next Friday. For two hundred people. And also… I need to discuss special arrangements for the evening.”
The divorce went effortlessly: Olga unpredictedly signed all the papers without hesitation. Now he was free and happy with a woman from his own circle.
“Honey, just look at how everyone admires us,” Marina purred, adjusting his tie. “We’re the perfect couple! I envy myself!”
Oleg and his companion took the central table, his position as deputy CEO clearly marked.
“Can you imagine,” she whispered to him, “they say the owner of the company will be here tonight for the first time! A mysterious woman! No one’s seen her, but there are rumors she’s a very influential person.”
The man just simpered.
“Probably some old biddy who inherited the business. I’ve seen plenty like her!”
At that moment, the CEO walked up to the stage.
“Dear colleagues! Tonight is a special evening. For the first time in the company’s history, the owner is attending our meeting. Please welcome—Olga Sergeevna!”
“Good evening, dear colleagues!” Olga’s voice was calm and authoritative.
“I’m happy to finally meet you in person. All these years, I’ve preferred to observe the company’s development from the sidelines. But now, it’s time for change!” She paused.
“Starting tomorrow, I will personally be involved in the management of the company. I have big plans for the future. I’m confident that together, we can take the business to a whole new level. Serious changes and rapid growth are ahead. And today, I wish you all a wonderful evening!”
Olga’s speech was met with loud applause.
Her ex-husband rushed to the stage, pushing through the crowd.
“Olya! Wait! We need to talk! I want to understand and sort things out!”
“How could you not know?” she hissed.
“Why didn’t you ever tell me your wife owned the company?”
“I didn’t know either!” he blurted. “Do you think if I knew, I would have left her? You’re foolish! She never…”
“Don’t come near me again,” Marina snapped, grabbing her handbag.
“You’re a complete loser! What do you need me for now?”
The woman turned and quickly walked toward the exit.
Olga didn’t answer the door immediately.
When it finally opened, Oleg lost his breath for a moment. She had changed so much! The housecoat was replaced with a stylish pantsuit, the messy bun was now a chic hairstyle.
“Why are you here?” Olga asked coldly.
“Olya… Olenka…” Oleg stepped into the apartment. “Forgive me! I was a complete fool. I’ve realized everything. Let’s start over!”
“Stop! Do you know what I hate most? Pitiful men who degrade themselves and humiliate others. Especially women.”
“Tell me!” He grabbed her hand.
“Where did this company come from? Why didn’t you tell me all these years?”
“Why would I? So you could start sucking up to me? Or brag about having a rich wife? I wanted you to love me, not my money or status. But you couldn’t handle the test, Oleg. The first promotion went to your head.”
“I love you!” He blurted out.
“I’ve always loved you! It was just a moment of madness. It can happen to anyone!”
“No! It was and still is your true face. Your insatiable thirst for power and money!”
“I highly recommend you leave the apartment. I don’t like to use force. But if I must…”
Oleg stepped back toward the door. His face was pale with humiliation and rage. A few more seconds, and the door slammed behind him.
