Alright, Katya, sorry for yesterday…”
Katerina stood, turned away from the stove, pouring coffee for her husband, and remained silent.
“Come on, don’t sulk. You know me. I got carried away.”
“Alright,” she turned toward the table, lowered her eyes, placed two cups of coffee on it, and adjusted the terry bathrobe around her neck.
“Let me see,” he moved her hands aside, pulled her bathrobe back, and looked at her neck. “Nothing. Just wear a turtleneck. Oh, right, you’re staying home today, I forgot. It won’t happen again. Sorry. Everything’s alright, Katya?” He leaned in, looking into her eyes.
“Yeah, it’s fine…”
“Oh, damn. I have to go to Kirovskaya today. I’m off,” he jumped up, not even finishing his coffee. “Don’t be sad…”
Anatoly slammed the door, and Katya turned the key, pressing her forehead to the cold metal of the door. She then walked to the window, looking out into the yard without pulling the curtain aside. Her husband was rushing, jumping over puddles and streams of water from the rain the night before.
Katya approached the mirror, slightly opened her bathrobe, turned her head, and added more light. Indeed, if you didn’t look closely, the bluish-red marks on her neck and collarbone weren’t noticeable. But they hurt when touched.
She dropped her hands and stared at herself directly. A neat oval face, green eyes, long hair resting on the bathrobe’s hood. Everyone said she was cute, but Katya scolded her appearance for being prone to gaining weight, a constant struggle.
They had been together for… eight years. They had been friends since school. And five years in marriage. Their apartment was rented. They were saving up for their own. Anatoly already had about two million in his account. Katya worked as a receptionist at a private clinic. The pay was decent, and everything suited her.
She had first come to this clinic as a patient. In fact, both she and Anatoly had. Katya had trouble getting pregnant, and both wanted children. They underwent tests. It turned out that the issue was with him—problems with sperm production. For a healthy guy like Anatoly, a fitness coach who practically lived in the gym, it was a huge blow.
He treated it for a long time, with some improvement, and they tried IVF, but it failed.
Whether it was all this affecting him, or something else, Anatoly started getting physical.
Though, he had always treated Katya somewhat roughly.
“What’s up with you, why are you like that with your wife?” asked his friend Sasha once, when they had come out of a café, and Anatoly had pushed Katya into the back seat of the car quite roughly.
“What’s she delaying for? I told her to go, and she’s standing there—catching gulls.”
He would grab little Katya in his arms in a burst of emotional tenderness, shake her like a kitten, then push her aside when she became annoying.
Katya wasn’t particularly submissive or quiet. Not at all. She was straightforward, chatty, and could stand up for herself when needed.
That quality of hers played a negative role. The first time, he simply slapped her on the shoulder with his palm. Katya was knocked over and fell onto the bed.
“Shut up, you fool!”
Then he apologized, swore it wouldn’t happen again. She was hurt and didn’t speak to him, and he came back with flowers. She believed him—it was a one-time thing. A couple of months later, it happened again. He grabbed her by the forearm, pushed her onto the couch, and started shaking her by the shoulders.
“When I say something, that’s how it’s going to be. Got it? Got it? I’m asking.”
“Yeah, I got it. Let go!”
She cried afterward, feeling hurt. But again, she did nothing. She had known Anatoly for a long time. He was, well, emotional, hot-tempered, but quick to get over it. And they had so many plans for the future!
They were from the same small town—Tarasovka.
Katya’s parents’ house was big and sturdy, painted in ochre, under a red iron roof. A birch tree grew by the gate, and in the flowerbed, the tall and fluffy golden spheres of rudbeckia always turned yellow.
Her family—her dad, mom, and younger sister Kira. Her father was strict, sometimes overly so. The girls either hated or adored him. Because there were times when he could stand up for them like no one else.
But Katya’s parents didn’t approve of her friendship with Anatoly.
“Mom, come on, what’s the deal? We’ve been together with Tolik for so long. I can’t imagine myself with anyone else.”
“I know, Katya. But… it just feels like he’s playing with you, like a doll. I can’t understand him.”
“What? I’ll play with him! He listens to me, mom… Believe me.”
“It seems like you’re rushing into this. You’ll regret it later. He’s too full of himself, like he thinks he’s some kind of king.”
“I won’t regret it! You’ll see. Everything will be fine, mom.”
Her father was more straightforward.
“You picked a good man, but don’t come crying to me later. Maybe you should wait a bit before getting married? Kirka might get lonely. If it doesn’t work out, you’ll be back.”
“I won’t come back, dad. I won’t. We’re planning to live in the city. I love Tolik, and he loves me.”
“Love is blind—you’ll end up loving a goat.”
“Dad, stop… I’m never coming home, you hear me? I’m building a life with Tolik.”
She was so beautiful on her wedding day! Both sides of the family did their best—the wedding was magnificent. They paid for a six-month rent on an apartment in Voronezh. At that time, Katya was still studying.
And for all these years, Katya tried to prove to her parents that they were wrong in their warnings—they became a good couple.
Over time, they bought a used foreign car, but still. When they first drove it into their village, they were so proud. Now, they were saving up for their own apartment.
Yes, they didn’t have children, but leaving her beloved over this—no, that would be betrayal. And everything was still ahead, they were young…
And all of Anatoly’s emotional outbursts Katya justified by saying it was hard for him to accept his infertility. And she forgave him and endured it…
Now, looking at the bruises on her neck in the mirror, Katya remembered the previous evening.
They had come back from a friend’s birthday—Igor’s. They had been at a café. Their families were friends, and the girls had united their group right from the start. They weren’t alone at the café. Some man noticed Katya and started pulling her into a dance. The girls laughed at the situation and joked. It was fun, and there was nothing wrong with having a little fun. Anatoly was nearby, drinking, joking, dancing with his wife and other girls in the group.
And at home…
It wasn’t until they were in the taxi that Katya realized that Tolik was angry. She didn’t want to go home, her legs felt weak on the stairs.
“Come on, hurry up. Or are your legs sore from dancing with other men?”
Katya turned around.
“Come on, it was fun. We had a great time…”
And then it began…
“Did you like it?” He grabbed her by the arm, turned her to him when she was removing her makeup in the mirror.
“Tolik, I’m tired. Let’s just go to bed…”
“Tired? From what? From what?!” He twisted her arm, she screamed, and he shoved her onto the bed.
What followed was too terrifying to even remember. She gasped, “Please, Tolik…” He shook her by the shoulders, lifted her, and threw her back on the bed, choking her.
Now, remembering this, Katya closed her eyes, her hands trembled, tears started to run… Her thoughts kept drifting back to the past.
She had been thinking about a divorce for a long time. But she had no idea how to go about it. One thing she knew for sure—she wasn’t going back to her parents. They had warned her… And for five years, Katya had been proving to them that everything was fine with her and Tolik, boasting, planning, predicting a happy future.
No, they would find out that she had left Tolik. But first, she needed to settle here, in the city.
Money… How did it happen that all the money was in Anatoly’s account? Simple—everything was joint, and his salary was higher. What else…
But Katya could rent an apartment herself, her salary was enough. If only she could find something like Milena and Sonya—two of them sharing. The girls had found a room in a hostel of some enterprise—it was dirt cheap. Lucky.
That night, she decided—she was leaving Tolik. If she spoke about divorce, he would kill her. So, she had to leave when he was at work.
Katya started packing. She didn’t need much. Just her clothes—the newest, best, and most expensive. She opened the closet. The down jacket—definitely. She bought it this spring. The expensive trouser suit, just a year old. These dresses—good for work. Oh, so much stuff!
Where was the suitcase? Only the down jacket would fit in it. She needed large bags. Here’s a sports bag, but that’s probably Tolik’s. Katya had bought him this bag for Defender’s Day… He’d manage without it. Everything else could stay with him.
Yes, she also needed to call the landlord, explain the situation. She wouldn’t be living there next month.
For some reason, it suddenly felt like leaving the dishes behind was a shame. She had carefully selected the sets. And the food processor… and the new washing machine and TV. They were hers too.
She grew tired from packing, collapsed on the couch, stroking its back. And the couch was hers too… She remembered how they had walked around furniture stores, trying out furniture, laughing, even lying on the showroom sofas. It had felt so good to be together…
She howled loudly. It hurt so much… Then she wiped her nose, stood up, grabbed her bag—and still didn’t know where to go.
She took a deep breath and dialed Milena’s number.
“Hey, Milenka,” her voice sounded almost cheerful.
“Hey, Katya! What’s up?”
“Milenka, there’s a situation. We’re breaking up with Tolik. Can I stay with you for a few days until I find a place? I’ll pay, of course…”
“You’re breaking up? Oh, Katya… You two were such a couple! What happened?”
“We’ll talk later. Can I stay with you?”
“Uh, no… Katya, it won’t work. We’re here on temporary terms, like mice. We had an eviction here, and Sonya and I barely made it. We can’t mention anyone else. Are you crazy? We have shifts, passes…”
“Really? I didn’t know things were so strict with you.”
“Yeah, here… So, I still don’t understand what happened?”
“I’ll tell you sometime, Mil. Not now, I’m too busy…”
Katya was really hoping for the girls. And now she was disappointed. Her favorite friend, Anka, had gone away. She would have definitely invited her over, even though she lived with a boyfriend. But now, Anka had left for a business trip to Moscow, and her boyfriend was staying in her apartment.
Calling Anka now would take too long. She’d ask her to tell the whole story, and there wasn’t time for that. Anatoly could come by for lunch. She needed to leave before he came.
She scrolled through hotel prices, calculating—it would take almost her entire salary to stay three or four days. She called Lena, a colleague she had become close to.
Lena was married with a little child, but she was a kind and helpful person.
Lena immediately agreed but was concerned about the situation. She wasn’t home, so she would have to give Katya the keys at work, essentially letting a stranger into her apartment. She babbled something about her son’s mess and her husband leaving the bed unmade. Katya realized she was putting too much pressure on Lena. It felt rude.
She called back and canceled, saying the girls had invited her.
“Thanks, Lena, for not saying no. You’re a real friend.”
“I’m so sorry, Katya, that things turned out this way… Tell me what happened.”
“I’ll tell you later, Lena.”
Katya called another acquaintance, a lonely colleague she was quite close with, but the person had relatives visiting.
Time was passing, and she just needed to leave. Leave anywhere. She got dressed, tied a silk scarf around her neck. She didn’t care now—whether anyone saw her or not. The weight of the stone lay heavy on her heart.
She looked at the bags in the hallway—they were too much to carry.
Katya dragged the bags downstairs one by one, to the entrance. She returned to the apartment for the last time, glanced around, slammed the door shut. Only then did she call a taxi. She was headed for the train station to store her bags.
The rain had started again, the streets were gloomy. Grey clouds covered the sky. The driver was very helpful, taking the bags to the waiting room.
Katya looked around and sighed. Just moments ago, she had been in the cozy, warm apartment where every corner had been created by her hands. Now, she stood in the middle of a cold train station, with no idea where to go.
But it wasn’t too late to go back. Go back, unpack her things, and smile at Tolik. Maybe things wouldn’t repeat themselves?
But then she remembered the previous evening and firmly grabbed her suitcase, quickly heading to the storage room. When she checked in her things, she felt free.
Tomorrow was work, but today she needed to find a place to live. Did she like it here in the city? She didn’t analyze it. Her husband liked it here, and she was where he was. She had just gotten used to it. Used to being married, renting, saving money, and planning to live here further.
Now, she feared Anatoly. Even if he didn’t know her new address, he knew where she worked. He would come. He wouldn’t start a scandal at work, it wasn’t his style, but he would call her in or wait for her after work. There would be conversations she didn’t even want to think about—humiliating, accusatory ones… And the divorce, thinking about the process, was downright terrifying.
A while ago, a friend of theirs had divorced—she had filed papers to make it happen without her presence. She was glad it existed. Otherwise, she wouldn’t survive…
Katya sat down in the waiting room and began making calls.
“Is your apartment… Oh, already rented… Sorry…”
“I need an apartment. What? Daily payment? No, that’s too expensive…”
She searched for addresses, even found one that involved taking care of an elderly man. She was ready for anything, but they informed her that the man had passed away.
“Sorry,” Katya replied into the phone. “Sorry,” she repeated, looking around the hall. She had already called everyone she knew, hoping someone had a rental place.
Outside, the rain was falling heavily, and she was hungry. She felt like a homeless mouse! For some reason, this thought made her smile. Just yesterday, she had been a well-off girl getting out of her husband’s car, heading to an elite café. And now, she was at a dirty station café, drinking bad coffee, looking at a gray street, and having no idea where to go.
Katya approached the timetable. When was the next train to Tarasovka? And for some reason, she thought it was sunny and bright there now. And in the flowerbed, the tall, fluffy golden spheres of rudbeckia were turning yellow.
Katya finally called Anya. It took a while, but she got through.
“Oooh, Katya. I… I’m on the subway, didn’t hear the phone. We were in such a place! Katya, let’s chat tonight when I get home,” Anya was always upbeat.
“Anya, hold on. Listen, I need your help. Well… I left Tolik. I’m at the station right now, and it’s pouring outside… I need a place for a week. You know, I could call a realtor…”
“What? Left him? Oh, Katya… You two were such a couple! What happened?”
“I’ll tell you later. Can I come to you?”
“Uh, no… Katya, it won’t work. We’re here on temporary terms, like mice. We had an eviction here, and Sonya and I barely made it. We can’t mention anyone else. Are you crazy? We have shifts, passes…”
“Really? I didn’t know things were so strict with you.”
“Yeah, here… So, I still don’t understand what happened?”
“I’ll tell you sometime, Mil. Not now, I’m too busy…”
Katya was really hoping for the girls. And now she was disappointed. Her favorite friend, Anka, had gone away. She would have definitely invited her over, even though she lived with a boyfriend. But now, Anka had left for a business trip to Moscow, and her boyfriend was staying in her apartment.
Calling Anka now would take too long. She’d ask her to tell the whole story, and there wasn’t time for that. Anatoly could come by for lunch. She needed to leave before he came.
She scrolled through hotel prices, calculating—it would take almost her entire salary to stay three or four days. She called Lena, a colleague she had become close to.
Lena was married with a little child, but she was a kind and helpful person.
Lena immediately agreed but was concerned about the situation. She wasn’t home, so she would have to give Katya the keys at work, essentially letting a stranger into her apartment. She babbled something about her son’s mess and her husband leaving the bed unmade. Katya realized she was putting too much pressure on Lena. It felt rude.
She called back and canceled, saying the girls had invited her.
“Thanks, Lena, for not saying no. You’re a real friend.”
“I’m so sorry, Katya, that things turned out this way… Tell me what happened.”
“I’ll tell you later, Lena.”
Katya called another acquaintance, a lonely colleague she was quite close with, but the person had relatives visiting.
Time was passing, and she just needed to leave. Leave anywhere. She got dressed, tied a silk scarf around her neck. She didn’t care now—whether anyone saw her or not. The weight of the stone lay heavy on her heart.
She looked at the bags in the hallway—they were too much to carry.
Katya dragged the bags downstairs one by one, to the entrance. She returned to the apartment for the last time, glanced around, slammed the door shut. Only then did she call a taxi. She was headed for the train station to store her bags.
The rain had started again, the streets were gloomy. Grey clouds covered the sky. The driver was very helpful, taking the bags to the waiting room.
Katya looked around and sighed. Just moments ago, she had been in the cozy, warm apartment where every corner had been created by her hands. Now, she stood in the middle of a cold train station, with no idea where to go.
But it wasn’t too late to go back. Go back, unpack her things, and smile at Tolik. Maybe things wouldn’t repeat themselves?
But then she remembered the previous evening and firmly grabbed her suitcase, quickly heading to the storage room. When she checked in her things, she felt free.
Tomorrow was work, but today she needed to find a place to live. Did she like it here in the city? She didn’t analyze it. Her husband liked it here, and she was where he was. She had just gotten used to it. Used to being married, renting, saving money, and planning to live here further.
Now, she feared Anatoly. Even if he didn’t know her new address, he knew where she worked. He would come. He wouldn’t start a scandal at work, it wasn’t his style, but he would call her in or wait for her after work. There would be conversations she didn’t even want to think about—humiliating, accusatory ones… And the divorce, thinking about the process, was downright terrifying.
A while ago, a friend of theirs had divorced—she had filed papers to make it happen without her presence. She was glad it existed. Otherwise, she wouldn’t survive…