Larisa let out a heavy sigh as she caressed her stomach. Since morning, her contractions had begun—judging by the intervals, they were practice contractions—but her overall state was far from pleasant. There was still time before the birth, yet the thought that they might start sooner frightened her. Even though her hospital bag had been packed for weeks, the woman was still anxious. A bad premonition had clung to her from the very start of the day, as if something terrible was about to happen. Perhaps she should have gone to the maternity hospital earlier? This was the first child in their family. Even though relatives and friends had already described in vivid detail how labor goes, Larisa was worried. What if something went wrong?
“Family Vacation Tours”
“— Why are you sprawled out like that? Larisa, lunch isn’t going to cook itself. Do you remember that my friends are coming today?”
The woman looked at her husband reproachfully. In the past few months, he had changed beyond recognition—he had become too rough and showed no interest in his wife’s condition. Perhaps he had found someone else? They say that happens if a wife feels unwell and doesn’t let her husband get too close. Larisa tried to please Makar in every way, but sometimes her condition was truly awful. The constant pain in her lower back was debilitating. It was even hard just to walk around the house, yet Larisa managed to handle the cleaning and preparing dinner perfectly. Even though her body was wracked with pain, she wouldn’t allow herself to lie down. She tried to keep busy with the housework, to stay on top of everything, and to move around instead of lying down waiting for her body to swell up completely. Who was going to do it for her? She even had to go to the store on her own because her husband returned from work exhausted and claimed that it wasn’t “a man’s job” to go shopping.
“— Makar, maybe you could order something from a cafe today? I’m not feeling well. I highly doubt I can manage cooking,” the woman complained. She rarely complained, but that day she truly didn’t have the strength.
A bitter laugh escaped from her husband’s lips before Larisa could even look up at him. He clenched his jaw and shook his head.
“— Are you out of your mind, Larisa? What cafe? Am I supposed to feed my friends with that slop that could poison someone? Why did I even get married if you’re so lazy? I warned you about the guests, and all these excuses mean nothing to me. You will cook lunch yourself and start doing it right now. If you don’t finish in time, I won’t be held responsible. I already put up with too much.”
“What’s wrong with you? Do you regret marrying me? Don’t you want us to have a healthy child? Why are you acting like I’m the servant in this house?” Larisa sobbed.
“You are the servant. First and foremost, you’re the housekeeper, and only then my wife. You will do everything I say. I should have taken charge long ago; you just let yourself go, relaxed, and now you’ve got a big head. Nothing. Now things will be different. The man is the head of the house, and the woman should keep her mouth shut like a doll and do everything she’s told. If you want things to be okay, and for me not to go astray, then get off the couch and hustle around the house. I don’t like having to repeat myself. And don’t forget to clean up the living room until everything shines.”
Larisa could hardly believe her ears, but somehow on autopilot she forced herself off the couch and went to the kitchen. Her lower back pain flared up even more than before. The baby was fidgeting too much, wriggling and causing discomfort to his mother. Breathing heavily, Larisa began preparing lunch. Everything happened as if in a fog, and the woman remembered nothing clearly. She did everything out of habit, feeling beads of sweat trickle down her forehead while inside a fierce desire to spit on everything, pack her things, and leave her husband. But where could she go? Her relationship with her parents was at its lowest. The unloved daughter, whom they had dreamed of getting rid of by marrying her off quickly. The only person who was happy to see her was her aunt, her father’s sister. She had always supported Larisa and said that she could be counted on. And what if Lara came with a little baby? Would her aunt accept her? And it wasn’t for just one day… not even for a week. How soon would she recover and start earning a living? There was little hope of getting any child support from her greedy husband.
“— Do you think life is that hard for you? Understand, Lararenka, if you decide to leave me, you’ll have nowhere to go. Your parents won’t take you in, and your aunt doesn’t need you with a baby. You depend on me, no matter how you spin it, so do everything you’re told and I won’t even have to yell at you. Today, serve my friends and don’t complain. Smile and show everyone with your look just how happy we are. How happy you are with me.”
Makar grabbed Larisa by the chin, lifting her face so that she met his eyes, but she quickly averted her gaze, recoiling from her husband and drawing in a heavy breath.
“— Do you even understand how hard it is for me to keep on my feet? I need to lie down… or maybe I should go to the hospital in advance? I’m feeling very bad. I haven’t complained about anything these nine months, but today I really….”
“— Stop making excuses, alright?” Makar interrupted. “— Your hospitalization is in three days. You think I forgot? Don’t you dare slack off if you don’t want to face serious problems.”
Larisa could no longer recognize her husband at all. It seemed as if someone had replaced him, brought an evil copy into their home, and sent Makar off into exile. Could it really be? Makar didn’t have any twin brothers. In fact, he was an only child. Of course, his mother, Nadezhda Viktorovna, had raised him to be selfish, doing everything for him, but that had never been so evident before. What had changed now? What had made Makar behave so cruelly? There were no answers to these questions. When his friends arrived, Makar glared at his wife and stated that she must not forget everything they had talked about today.
“Family Vacation Tours”
While setting the table and smiling through the pain at his friends, Larisa cursed her fate. She scolded herself, damn it, for having been so wrong and not having noticed all the negative aspects of the man sooner. Or had they only appeared now? Maybe he had some problems at work? Makar had always been an impulsive man, capable of unconsciously taking his troubles out on his family. As she pondered this, Larisa even managed to forget her unpleasant sensations for a brief moment, until her stomach suddenly contracted. Muttering to herself and bending over, Larisa felt a wave of nausea.
“— Larisa, you should sit down and rest. With a stomach like that, you’re buzzing around us like a little bee. What, are we not men? Our hands grow in the right places—we can serve ourselves, but you, just lie down!” – leaped toward the woman… no, not her husband, but his best friend, Anton.
“— Thank you…” Larisa replied in a hoarse voice. “— That’s exactly what I’ll do.”
“— Larok, don’t forget our conversation,” Makar hissed through gritted teeth in a voice that was no longer sober. “— And you, Toh, you shouldn’t meddle. Who are you to tell another man’s wife how to behave? Lara is an adult girl; she understands everything.”
There was no strength left to argue with her husband or even listen to him. Oxygen was running critically low. The painful contractions became more frequent.
“— It seems it’s starting,” Larisa said, clutching Anton’s hand in fear.
“— Don’t make things up! You still have three days until your hospitalization!” Makar snorted from behind the table, and someone among the friends laughed.
“Family Vacation Tours”
Supporting the woman by her elbow, Anton helped her to the sofa and seated her. The pain was becoming unbearable. Realizing that Makar was not in any condition to take the wheel—and overall had no intention of doing anything—Anton called an ambulance, but since the wait for the car would be long, he hurried to help Larisa down. The woman mumbled incoherent words of thanks, distracted from her pain. She hardly remembered how she reached the maternity hospital or gave birth. She lay in a ward, looking at her son with tears streaming down her cheeks. Was she happy? Of course, she was glad that the child was born alive and healthy, but there was a second side to the medal—she had nowhere to go with the baby. Because returning to her husband was now out of the question. Larisa replayed the events of the day over and over, understanding that her husband simply did not care about her. He mocked her. If it weren’t for Anton, who knows how it might have ended… Perhaps she would have given birth at home, and whether the baby would have been healthy or not—big question.
Afterwards, Anton texted Larisa to ask if she was alright. His concern was undoubtedly welcome, but it repeatedly reminded her of how little her husband cared about his own wife. Makar didn’t care—whether she had given birth or if the baby was fine. And she chose not to inform him of the birth. Instead, she sent messages to Anton, her mother-in-law, and her aunt. Her husband was indifferent to what was happening with her, so there was no point in telling him about the son.
The next day, Larisa’s phone was ringing non-stop. Acquaintances congratulated her, her aunt and mother-in-law asked what they could bring. Even Anton offered to run to the store and get whatever she needed.
“— Larisa, I understand this isn’t the way to have such conversations, but I can’t keep silent. It’s hard to be complicit. I see that things between you and Makar aren’t great. I thought that at least he would sweep a speck of dust off you after doing such things… In short, he’s cheating on you. He’s had a young girl for a long time with whom he goes to all the parties. I understand that now isn’t the time to drop such news, but yesterday I saw how he behaved with you… If you need any help, just say the word. It isn’t right for you to put up with such treatment, Larisa. Run away from him—because things can only get worse.”
Larisa thanked Anton for revealing the truth. Now she had no doubts that she had made the right decision and that she must leave her husband. And what would she do next? Only time would tell. The only issue that needed to be resolved in the coming days was the housing problem, because she no longer wished to check out of the maternity hospital and return to her husband. Larisa had no idea how he would behave next. She shared her concerns with her aunt, who assured her that her niece could count on her.
“— You can stay with us for a while. We have a spare room. While I’m on vacation, I’ll help with the baby, and then we’ll see. We’ll get through this, Larochka. It’s good that you told me everything.”
Larisa felt even a little relief. She began to enjoy her little son, looking at him for the first time as a dear, long-awaited bundle of joy. And though her relationship with Makar had crumbled, the baby was not to blame. Lara loved her baby with all her heart. Her husband didn’t call, but her mother-in-law started to worry about how the discharge would go. Larisa candidly admitted to the woman that she had no intention of returning to her husband.
“I know that Makar has taken up with another woman. He’s changed so much lately. While I was pregnant, I didn’t have the strength to say anything against it, but now I’m not going to tolerate this treatment. Your son has changed so much, Nadezhda Viktorovna. He hasn’t even called me once… What kind of relationship can that be?”
“— Larochka, is it really so? I never thought my son was capable of such treachery. I always thought your relationship was perfect. You should have come to me sooner. I would have talked to him and tried to make him understand… but I suppose it’s too late now. Where will you go with Olezhek? You definitely can’t go back to your parents…”
“— First to my aunt, and then I’ll figure something out,” Larisa hurried to reassure her mother-in-law.
“— Or maybe to my place? I live alone. I’d be happy to help you. After all, Olezhek is my grandson. I promise I’ll protect you from Makar, and he won’t dare come near or hurt you.”
Larisa trusted her mother-in-law. She hadn’t expected that she would immediately take her side, but the thought occurred—why hadn’t she thought of going to her son’s grandmother sooner? After all, she didn’t really want to inconvenience her aunt. After all, she had her own husband… and children. Space was limited, and a little child in the house meant extra chaos. Agreeing, Larisa called her aunt and informed her of her decision.
“— Are you sure she won’t try to hurt you or take the child away?” her aunt asked.
“— One can never be sure. I thought my husband was incapable of betrayal, but you know what he did. I’ll be cautious. I promise. Thank you so much for your support.”
Larisa began preparing for the discharge when a message from her husband arrived on her phone. Judging by the typos, he was clearly not in a sober state.
Makar: “So, when are you coming home? There’s no food… Your things are unwashed.”
Larisa felt a wave of revulsion, wrinkled her nose in disgust, and shook her head. How long had Makar been changed? Sitting on the bed and looking at her peacefully sleeping baby, Larisa pondered. Surely, the first warning signs had appeared long ago, but she hadn’t noticed them until everything turned upside down. Now it didn’t matter when it had all started—the moment was lost. Larisa couldn’t forgive her husband for treating her like this. Nor the woman he’d taken on the side and paraded around at parties while Larisa suffered, managing the house and never allowing herself an extra rest.
Nadezhda Viktorovna met her daughter-in-law and took them—with her son—in her apartment, where she had already prepared a cozy corner for them, decorated with balloons. It was clear that the woman was trying hard. She explained that she had spoken to her son. Makar stated that he didn’t need the child, that he had no desire to be a father, and that he hadn’t even gotten drunk yet; he was even ready to give Larisa a divorce on the condition that she wouldn’t demand alimony.
“— However, I strongly recommend that you don’t fall for this trick, Larochka. Make him pay every last penny! Can you believe that insolent man? He’ll be spending money on his mistress while you barely scrape by. In any case, I’ll help you. We need to find a good lawyer.”
Larisa thought about it, since Anton worked at a legal firm and was a good lawyer. Even if he didn’t handle divorce cases himself, he could surely recommend someone. The woman called her husband’s friend—her soon-to-be ex.
“— Anton, I understand you might refuse because you’re still friends with Makar, but I have no one else to turn to.”
“— We’re not friends anymore. I don’t know what came over him lately, but Makar said a lot of unnecessary things last time. I gave him a good thrashing, and that was that… In short, our friendship is over. I’m not going to associate with someone who has squandered all his moral values.”
Makar was losing everyone who cared about him… friends, relatives… Even his mother no longer wished to speak with him after encountering his cold indifference. She had taken Larisa’s side and planned to help her and the child.
He truly wasn’t interested in the baby. Larisa remembered how happy he had been when she announced her pregnancy. Had a new company changed his outlook on life? Anton mentioned that Makar had become more involved with the new group he’d been introduced to by his mistress… and they had their own interests and preferences. Larisa’s husband had always been a gentle person, easily influenced by suggestion. It was a pity that someone outside had influenced him more than his own family.
Anton took on the divorce process. It took quite some time. Since Makar didn’t want to pay child support and even tried to renounce paternity, the process dragged on for three months, but eventually the decision was made in favor of Larisa and the child.
Nadezhda Viktorovna actively helped Larisa with little Olezhek, and a couple of months later, she was able to return to work. They didn’t live in luxury, but they had enough. Larisa never imagined how fortunate she would be with a supportive mother-in-law who would stand by her side. The woman grew close to Anton. They enjoyed evening strolls and weekend walks in the park with little Olezhek. They discovered many common interests. It seemed as if Larisa had returned to the days when her relationship with Makar was just beginning. She feared that the same events might repeat, so even while talking to Anton she didn’t expect their relationship to go beyond friendship. Yet, before they knew it, it did. Anton invited Larisa on a date, and Nadezhda Viktorovna declared that there was no sense in sitting cooped up within four walls and wasting one’s youth.
Anton didn’t beat around the bush. Understanding that it wouldn’t be easy for Larisa to dive into a new relationship, he didn’t pressure her but immediately expressed the seriousness of his intentions and promised to take care of her and her son.
Only when Olezhek turned one did Larisa realize she was ready to try again, and she agreed to move in with Anton. Watching him fuss over her son, she knew that one couldn’t hope for a better father—Makar would hardly ever be able to compare.
Through mutual acquaintances, Anton learned that Makar had gone down a crooked path, got involved with banned substances, and had even ended up at a police station. Larisa couldn’t help but worry about her son’s father, for the warm feelings she once had for her husband still lingered. It wasn’t easy to simply erase someone from your life and pretend you never shared anything together. Larisa worried about her ex-husband, just as one might worry about any person—even if they were no longer close. She regretted that people could ruin their lives, devalue them, and squander them on fleeting pleasures, but you couldn’t just replace one’s mind or teach someone to think correctly.
Anton and Larisa got married. Olezhek began calling Anton “daddy”—that was his first word. The man was immeasurably happy. He was especially delighted when he learned that their family was going to grow even more, as Larisa became pregnant again. Anton carefully wiped away even the smallest speck from his wife and demonstrated what a truly loving husband could be. As for Makar… he never reappeared. He liked his new life too much. Nadezhda Viktorovna tried to talk to her son, but he refused to listen to her. He turned his apartment into a den and believed that he was living rightly and faithfully, while everyone else simply didn’t understand him. Two and a half years later, he died, and the apartment… his cohabitant—who had never managed to become his wife—tried to fight over it, but the inheritance eventually went to his mother and son. Nadezhda Viktorovna gave up her share in favor of her grandson, but with the understanding that Larisa would definitely sell the apartment, which held so much negativity, and buy a new home for her son.