— Nastya, are you serious? Fourteen million! That’s a whole fortune! I’ve never even seen that kind of money in my wildest dreams!
Her sister squealed with excitement so loudly that Nastya involuntarily smiled. Eva had always been emotional, but this time she was clearly overdoing it.
— Keep it down! — the woman hissed, glancing around the empty salon. — I told you, no one knows anything yet. Not about the business sale, and not about the amount of the deal.
— And why doesn’t anyone know? Did Petya leave for a conference?
Nastya adjusted the wedding dress hanging on the rack. Tomorrow the last client would pick it up and… that was it. Five years of her life, sleepless nights, nerves, and that special pride she felt whenever she saw happy brides’ faces, would come to an end. Everything had been sold to some woman from Moscow who wanted to expand her own chain.
— He’s home. It’s just that… I don’t know how to tell him. I still haven’t fully decided what I’ll do next. I want to start producing herbal teas. But I’m not sure yet. Or maybe I am. I don’t know. Anyway, I need to think.
— You don’t know how to tell him? — Eva was clearly stunned by her sister’s words. — Nastenka, you’re husband and wife! That’s your shared money. Sort of…
And right there, Nastya couldn’t find the right words. Shared money.
The woman remembered how two years earlier her salon had almost collapsed: clients weren’t paying, suppliers demanded prepayment, the bank threatened to seize her property. Back then, Pyotr had walked around the house gloomier than a storm cloud, constantly nervous and taking it out on her.
— I understand that we’re husband and wife, but I can’t get rid of my doubts, — Nastya admitted thoughtfully. — Remember how strangely Petya reacted when I was having trouble with the business? Especially in twenty twenty-four?
— Of course I remember, — Eva’s voice softened. — He was scared to death you’d go under. But instead of supporting you, he only criticized you. Selfish jerk!
— Yes, he kept saying I was running things all wrong. He shouted that I’d ruin us. Then, of course, he apologized, but does that really change anything? And his mother… do you remember how she kept lamenting?
— Oh, Valentina Ivanovna is a whole separate song. Fussing over her precious son like a mother hen: “Oh, Petenka, what is she doing! You’ll be left without a crust of bread!”
Nastya dropped into an armchair and closed her eyes.
Strangely, back then she hadn’t paid much attention to her husband’s behavior: there had simply been too many worries and problems. But now, in the silence of the empty salon, she suddenly remembered the fear in his eyes very clearly. Not fear for her, of course… her husband had been worried about himself. About his calm, comfortable life. He had grown up in a simple family, worked as a geography teacher at a school, and then there was his wife—with a business and money…
Inside her, the little worm of doubt began to stir, the one that sometimes woke her at night. What if Pyotr was only with her for the money? What if all those five years of married life…
— You know what I’d do in your place? — her sister said mysteriously.
— What?
— I’d run an experiment. I’d say I went bankrupt. Completely. That the salon was shutting down, I was in debt, creditors breathing down my neck.
— What nonsense are you talking? That’s stupid!
— No, it’s right! You’ll lie and see their reaction. You’ll see how your husband behaves when you actually have real problems. How your mother-in-law starts talking. Then you can decide whether it’s worth honestly telling them about the sale of the business and, especially, about the amount of the deal. Well?
— No! I can’t do that. It’s too mean! — Nastya objected, but even to herself her voice sounded unconvincing.
— Mean? Ha! — Eva snorted. — And it wasn’t mean to take it out on his wife when she was having trouble at the salon? You’re just finding out the truth about your loved ones. Is that so bad?
The woman said nothing, staring at the shop window across from her. They were selling children’s clothes there, and she remembered how half a year ago she had hinted to Pyotr that it might be a good idea to think about having a child. Her husband had looked at her strangely and said, “Let’s get financial stability first.” Even though her business had been bringing in a good profit for quite a while by then.
— Listen, actually… — she began, then stopped short.
— What?
— Oh, nothing. It’s silly. I just sometimes wonder whether Petya loves me at all. Or if he only likes my money.
Eva fell silent. Then she said quietly:
— Nastenka, you’re a smart girl. If thoughts like that are appearing in your head, then there’s a reason.
There was a knock at the door. A mall security guard peeked into the salon to check if everything was all right.
— Okay, darling, I need to close up. I’ll think about your idea.
— Think, but not for too long. And remember, I’m with you no matter what. Love you!
At home, Pyotr was sitting in the living room, studying something intently on his tablet. He was so focused, as if he were deciding the fate of the world.
— Darling, come here! — her husband called cheerfully. — I’m looking at options for our summer vacation together. I’ve already found something interesting!
Nastya came closer and looked over his shoulder at the tablet. On the screen were turquoise lagoons, snow-white beaches, and villas on stilts over the water.
— The Maldives? — she whistled.
— Yes! Look how beautiful it is! — Pyotr kept flipping through photos. — I especially like this hotel. Five stars, all-inclusive, bungalows over the water. Can you imagine? You open the door in the morning, and there’s the ocean!
— And how much does it cost? — the woman asked cautiously.
— Well, not cheap, of course! But we can afford it. For the two of us, for a week, it’ll be around a million rubles.
— Around a million rubles? — Nastya caught her breath.
— So what? You earn good money. And besides, I deserve a proper vacation. I’ve spent years teaching children geography, and I’ve never been farther than our dacha!
— Petya, I understand, but maybe we should look at something within our budget? Turkey, Sochi…
The man’s face changed instantly. His brows drew together, his lips tightened.
— Within our budget? — he repeated coldly. — Has our budget suddenly ripped?
— That’s not what I mean…
— Then what do you mean? — her husband put the tablet aside and looked at her sarcastically. — Actually, don’t answer. I got your hint, Nastya. A teacher, supposedly, should settle for a modest holiday.
— That’s not what I meant…
— Don’t twist around like an eel in a frying pan! That’s exactly what you meant! That I, like all teachers, should go to Anapa, rent a room from some old landlady for fifteen hundred a day, and chew on crackers while saving every penny.
— It’s just that a million seems like too much for a week’s vacation…
— Too much? — her husband stood up and began pacing the room nervously. — Too much for whom? For me? For a poor geography teacher?
Nastya became alert. There was something in her husband’s voice she had never noticed before. Hurt, anger, and… fear? Or greed?
— But I understood you! — the man sneered, stopping in front of his wife. — You just feel sorry spending money on me! You don’t want to spend it on me. Or you just don’t think it’s necessary. The salon is bringing in a good profit, and you count every penny.
— Petya…
— Or do you think I don’t deserve a vacation in the Maldives? That a geography teacher belongs in a tent by some local lake?
Nastya looked desperately at her husband. She was frightened by what she saw.
— Fine, — she agreed quietly. — I’ll think about it.
Pyotr calmed down instantly and smiled.
— That’s better! I knew you’d understand everything the right way.
The man returned to his tablet as if nothing had happened between them. But Nastya had no doubts left: the experiment had to be done. Absolutely.
The woman spent the whole week in strange thoughts and doubts. At times she convinced herself that her sister’s idea was complete nonsense, then over and over again replayed Eva’s words in her head.
What if she was right? What if her husband and his parents really were worth testing? Even if it meant deception.
On Saturday morning, the phone rang.
— Nastenka, it’s Valentina Ivanovna! How are you, dear?
Nastya winced. Her mother-in-law only called her “dear daughter” when she wanted something.
— I’m well, thank you. And how are you?
— Thank God, we’re alive and healthy. Nikolai Petrovich and I were thinking of coming by today. We miss you! Can we?
— Of course, come.
— Maybe I should bring something for dinner? I baked meat pies today. They turned out delicious!
— Bring them, we’ll be glad.
When Pyotr found out his parents were coming, he immediately perked up. He started bustling around and pulling the best dishes out of the cabinets.
— First thing I’ll do is tell them about the Maldives! — her husband announced happily. — Mom will be so thrilled. And jealous!
Nastya smiled faintly. Interesting. What would happen when her husband realized there was nothing to celebrate?
Her in-laws arrived at six in the evening. Both were in excellent spirits.
— Mom! Dad! — Pyotr rushed to his parents right from the doorway. — How are you? How’s your health?
— We’re all right, son, not complaining, — Valentina Ivanovna said, looking around the hallway. — Your place is as spotless as ever! Daughter, you’re wonderful! How lucky my son is to have you! He lives like he’s at a resort!
— And I do live at a resort! And I’m going to a resort! — Pyotr couldn’t resist adding. — We’re going to the Maldives this summer!
— To the Maldives? — her mother-in-law sat down on the edge of the sofa. — Oh, Petenka, and where is that?
— Mom, they’re islands! In the Indian Ocean! The beaches there, the water… We’re going to stay in a house over the water!
— Oh, how interesting! And is it expensive?
— Oh, Mom, — the man waved dismissively. — Only a million.
— Only?! — Valentina Ivanovna nearly jumped. — Petenka, your father and I don’t spend that much in a year.
— That’s you, Mom, and this is us. Did you forget how much Nastya earns? We don’t have money problems!
— Then take us with you! — her mother-in-law suddenly pleaded. — I’ve dreamed all my life of seeing the ocean. Just once in my life, to see real palm trees.
Pyotr hesitated.
— Well, I don’t know, Mom… that’s expensive. But Nastya and I will think about your request. Maybe the four of us can go.
— Oh, I understand, I understand. I just dream about it! Right, Kolya?
— Right, — her father-in-law nodded. — It’s bad when you don’t have money of your own.
Nastya was setting the table and listening carefully to the conversation. Listening to how they discussed her income. How they planned a holiday in the Maldives. How they dreamed of her spending her money on them.
At the table, Valentina Ivanovna would not stop:
— Petenka, and when will you fly there? What do you need to take with you? Are there Russian hotels there?
— Mom, it’s gorgeous there! I looked it up online… they bring breakfast right to your room. There’s fishing, diving—
— Oh, how lovely! — her mother-in-law threw up her hands. — Nikolai Petrovich, do you hear? And we’ll probably go to the dacha again this year.
— Come on, Mom, the dacha isn’t bad either, — Pyotr smiled condescendingly.
— What dacha, when such beauty exists in the world!
Nastya watched her relatives with growing disappointment. Strangely, not one of them asked how she was doing, how her health was, how her business was. All they cared about was her money and the possibility of a free holiday.
— Sorry to interrupt your lovely conversation, — the woman said when they had calmed down a little. — But I need to tell you something. Something important and… unpleasant.
Everyone looked at her. Pyotr grew tense.
— My salon has gone bankrupt. I’m broke. I have no money left. Only debts.
Valentina Ivanovna froze with a fork in her hand. Nikolai Petrovich stopped chewing. And her husband simply stared at her as if she had said the world would end tomorrow.
Pyotr recovered first.
— What do you mean… bankrupt? — his voice trembled with panic. — Nastya, are you joking?
— I’m not joking. Last week everything finally became clear. Creditors are demanding repayment, and I have nothing to pay them with.
— But how… — her mother-in-law finally put down the fork. — But the salon… it was working, and there were clients…
— There were. Then they disappeared. Competitors appeared, prices dropped. I’ve been operating at a loss for the last six months.
— But you never told us anything about this! — Pyotr jumped up from the table and began pacing the kitchen. — Why were you silent?
— I thought I could handle it. I didn’t want to worry you.
— Didn’t want to worry us? — her husband was getting more worked up by the second. — Nastya, this is our shared life! Our plans!
“Our plans”… not “your problems,” but precisely “our plans.” The Maldives, now under threat.
— Petenka, calm down, — Valentina Ivanovna interjected. — Maybe it’s not that bad? Maybe something can be done?
— Done how, Mom? — Pyotr sat back down and grabbed his head. — If the business went bankrupt, that’s the end. Was your apartment used as collateral?
— It was, — Nastya lied.
— Dear God… — her husband went pale. — So we could end up on the street?
— In principle, yes.
Nikolai Petrovich, who had been silent until then, finally spoke:
— And how much do you owe?
— About five million.
— Five million! — her mother-in-law shrieked. — Petenka, that’s… that’s a catastrophe!
— Mom, don’t panic, — but Pyotr’s voice was trembling too. — We need to think what to do about all this.
— What is there to think about? — her mother-in-law looked at Nastya with undisguised reproach. — I told you so! I said she shouldn’t get involved in business! Normal women either go to work, or stay home and have children!
— Mom…
— Don’t “Mom” me! I was right! But you said, “Nastya is smart, Nastya will manage.” Well, she managed! Put the whole family in danger!
Nastya smiled, remembering how only a year earlier her mother-in-law had asked her to buy her a new fur coat. “Come on, Nastenka, you can easily afford it. I’d be ashamed to go to the theater in the old one.” That coat had cost one hundred and twenty thousand. Valentina Ivanovna wore it with the air of someone who had earned it herself.
— Valentina Ivanovna, — Nastya said quietly, — it’s not as if I went bankrupt on purpose.
— Not on purpose! You should have used your head! Petya warned you, I warned you. But no, you wanted to play businesswoman!
— Mom, enough! — Pyotr barked, but Nastya understood her husband wasn’t defending her. He was simply afraid his mother might say something extra.
— And what about the Maldives? — Valentina Ivanovna suddenly asked plaintively. — And the vacation?
— What Maldives, Mom? What vacation? — Pyotr laughed nervously. — Now we need to think about how we’re going to survive.
— Maybe you can borrow from someone? — her mother-in-law suggested. — Your sister, for example.
Nastya shook her head.
— Eva doesn’t have that kind of money.
— What about friends?
— No one will lend five million.
— Will you get a salaried job? — Pyotr asked in horror.
— I’ll have to. We’ll both work like mad to pay off the debts. There’s no other choice!
— And what do I have to do with this? First of all, these aren’t my debts. And second, I already work!
— We can’t live on your salary. You’ll have to start tutoring and find side jobs. Otherwise we won’t make it!
Her husband wilted and fell silent. And his wife smiled inwardly with satisfaction. There he was… the real Pyotr, who had been hiding behind the mask of a caring husband. He wasn’t thinking about how hard this was for her. He was thinking only about how he would live now.
— And we’ll have to sell the car? — the man уточнил.
— We will.
— And the dacha?
— The dacha too.
Valentina Ivanovna sniffled:
— Petenka, I think maybe you should move in with us for a while. Until everything is settled. Otherwise, what if you really do end up out on the street?
“You should move in”… not “you both,” but specifically “you.” Nastya noticed that too. In their rescue plans, there was no place for her.
— I don’t know, Mom, — Pyotr rubbed his temples. — I need to think.
— What is there to think about? You’re my only son!
They talked about the catastrophe for a long time: calculating options, making plans for salvation. And not once—not once!—did anyone hug Nastya and say, “It’s okay, we’ll get through this together.” No one asked how she felt.
Right now her husband and his parents saw only a source of problems in her. A woman who had destroyed their plans for a carefree life.
When the parents finally left, Pyotr sat on the sofa and stared at the wall.
— What a mess, — he muttered. — What a mess…
— What do you mean?
— I mean I don’t know how to live now, — her husband looked at her desperately. — I’m used to… We were planning… Damn it, I already told my colleagues about the Maldives!
And in that moment Nastya understood completely: the experiment had succeeded. Better than she could have imagined.
For the next three days, Pyotr was not himself: he got up, went to work, came back, and sat silently in front of the television. He didn’t ask about anything, didn’t discuss plans. He just sat there staring at the screen as if hoping everything would somehow fix itself.
On Wednesday evening, her husband finally spoke:
— Nastya, did you talk to a lawyer? Maybe there are ways to, well… not pay these debts somehow?
— What ways? Debts are debts.
— I don’t know… — her husband rubbed his hands nervously. — Maybe transfer something into someone else’s name. Or get divorced, so nothing gets pinned on me.
— Nothing will get pinned on you anyway. It was my business, my debts.
— And the apartment?
— What about it?
— Well, we could end up on the street!
Nastya looked carefully at her husband, who was desperately avoiding her gaze.
— What are you afraid of?
— I’m not afraid! — he flared up. — I just don’t understand why I should pay for your mistakes!
— My mistakes?
— Whose else? I warned you! I told you not to get involved in this nonsense! But no, you just had to play businesswoman!
— Play?
— What else would you call it? Normal women work regular jobs and get salaries. Stable, reliable. But you decided to pretend you were some oligarch!
Nastya stayed silent. It was interesting to watch how quickly the mask of a caring husband evaporated.
— And now what? — Pyotr went on. — Now I’m supposed to slave away paying off your debts? Spend years tutoring, give my last pennies to your creditors?
— And what do you suggest?
— I’m not suggesting anything! — he shook his head nervously. — But I’m definitely not going to spend half my life living in poverty because of your stupidity!
— Meaning?
— Meaning these are your problems, Nastya. Your business, your debts, your responsibility! Don’t drag me into any of this!
— I see, — the woman nodded. — And our marriage?
Pyotr was silent for a moment, then answered quietly:
— I’ll think about it. I need time to think.
It took him two days to think. On Friday evening he pulled out an old suitcase and started packing his things.
— Going somewhere? — Nastya asked with a smile.
— To my parents’. For now… until I figure things out.
— Figure out what exactly?
— Well… — her husband wouldn’t meet her eyes. — I need to think about the future. About my future.
— And there’s no need to think about me?
— Nastya, you got yourself into all this! Nobody forced you! I warned you, my mother warned you! But no, you wanted to take risks! So deal with it yourself! I’m out!
— I see.
— And besides, — he threw shirts into the suitcase, — I’m a teacher! I earn fifty thousand! I don’t have five million to cover debts! It’s absurd!
— Absurd, — Nastya agreed.
— Exactly! Let everyone answer for their own actions!
He zipped the suitcase shut, got dressed, and took the keys.
— I’ll call. When… when I decide something.
— Of course, call.
The door slammed shut. Nastya stood in the hallway, listening to the sound of his footsteps fading away. Then suddenly she burst out laughing, loud enough to fill the whole house.
— Rats! — she said out loud. — Rats fleeing a sinking ship!
She laughed so hard that tears came to her eyes. Dear God, how wonderful this was! How good that she had found out the truth now, and not ten years later!
She quickly grabbed her phone and dialed her sister’s number.
— Eva, are you home? Come over. We have something to celebrate.
— What happened? Did Petya leave?
— He ran away! Packed a suitcase and ran! You’re brilliant! Absolutely brilliant! For an idea like that, I’m ready to take you to the Maldives!
— Seriously?
— Absolutely serious! You opened my eyes. You gave me a chance at a new life. Isn’t that enough?
— Nastya, and he… he didn’t say anything at all? Didn’t even try to support you?
— He said these were my problems and he wasn’t going to spend years working off debts because of my stupidity.
— Bastard!
— No, he’s not a bastard. He just showed me his true face. And for that, I thank him.
— Are you holding up okay?
— I’m happy! I’m free! Fourteen million, no debts, no parasitic husband, no hen of a mother-in-law. Life is only beginning!
Nastya hung up and looked around. The apartment seemed bigger and brighter. The air felt cleaner.
On Monday she would call the buyers of the salon to finish the deal. And on Tuesday she would start studying the herbal tea market.
A new life. How beautiful it was…