Olga was eagerly flipping through a culinary magazine, making notes in the margins. The new recipe for French julienne caught her particular attention.
“I’ll have to try adding porcini mushrooms instead of champignons,” she thought, imagining how she could surprise her husband with the unusual taste.
Cooking had always been her passion.
She could spend hours experimenting in the kitchen, creating new flavor combinations. Lately, she had been dreaming more and more of writing her own cookbook, where she would gather all her original recipes.
Absorbed in searching for new ideas, she didn’t notice the front door open. 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 exclaimed, joyfully stepping into the hallway. “Can you imagine, you can combine 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!”
He walked into the living room, pulled some papers from his briefcase, and threw them forcefully onto the coffee table. Several sheets scattered across the floor.
“What is this?” Olga asked with a trembling voice, picking up the documents.
“Divorce papers. Sign them. And no hysterics.”
Olga felt the room begin to spin. She grabbed the back of a chair, trying to stay on her feet.
“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 clutched the divorce papers with pale fingers.
“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.”
Oleg walked toward the door, dialing a phone number on the go.
“Yes, honey, I’m on my way. Wait for me at our restaurant.”
The door slammed shut. In the silence that followed, the ticking of the clock and the sound of water dripping from the kitchen tap could be heard.
Olga slowly sank into the chair, clutching the divorce papers. The forgotten pie in the oven started to burn, but she didn’t even move.
Her entire world, which she had worked so hard to build over the last two years, had collapsed in just ten minutes.
“How could this happen?” her mind kept asking. “When did it all go wrong? And why didn’t I notice?”
But the only answer was silence and the bitter scent of someone else’s perfume, which would forever be etched into her memory.
The next morning began with a knock on the door. Olga, who hadn’t slept all night, slowly shuffled to open it to the unexpected guests. At the doorstep were two strong men in movers’ uniforms.
“Hello! We’ve been sent by Oleg Vladimirovich. We’re here for the things,” one of them said politely.
Olga silently nodded and led them into the bedroom. There, in the large wardrobe, hung her husband’s suits—expensive, branded. She ran her hand over the fabric of the jacket she had chosen for their wedding anniversary. A bitter lump rose in her throat.
“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.”
Olga felt her hands tremble uncontrollably.
“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.’”
At that moment, one of the movers dropped a box of things. The sound made Olga flinch.
“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!”
After saying goodbye to her friend, Olga walked over to the window.
A car carrying her husband’s things was slowly driving down the street. Olga watched it fade into the distance, feeling as though her past life was leaving with it. Ahead lay the unknown, but for some reason, for the first time in a long time, she wasn’t afraid.
She quickly pulled out 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 “Grand Hotel” was glowing with lights. A line of expensive cars had formed at the entrance: the company’s top management had gathered for the annual corporate event.
Oleg helped Marina out of the car, admiring her long legs and tight red dress. In the past month, his life had changed drastically.
The divorce went smoothly: Olga unexpectedly 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!”
The luxurious banquet hall was filled with a festive atmosphere. Waiters were serving champagne, live music was playing.
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 smirked.
“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!”
Oleg choked on his champagne. His ex-wife, walking with light steps, was climbing onto the stage.
But she had changed so much! The elegant black dress highlighted her perfect figure, her confident posture, and her stylish hairstyle. The former housewife was nowhere to be seen.
“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, looking around the hushed hall. “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. The employees gathered around her, eagerly offering champagne. She carried herself with royal dignity, taking the time to engage with everyone.
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!”
But she seemed to vanish into the crowd. Marina remained seated at the table, nervously crumpling a napkin.
“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.
Oleg was left alone at the empty table. His ex-wife had long disappeared, leaving behind a trail of admiration and a whirlpool of emotions. The only thought spinning in his head was: “What have I done?”
At exactly 9 a.m., Oleg was called into the CEO’s office. As he entered the spacious room, he immediately sensed something was wrong. The boss didn’t even look up from the papers.
“Please sit down, Oleg Vladimirovich,” the CEO said dryly, glancing through some documents. “This will be a short conversation. The company no longer needs your services. Your candidacy no longer meets the new requirements.”
“But how… why?” Oleg turned pale instantly. “I just got a promotion!”
“Here’s the dismissal order. Please sign. The security will escort you out.”
An hour later, Oleg stood in front of the door to his former apartment. His former home. During the fifteen-minute walk, he rehearsed his speech at least twenty times, but every word seemed empty and false.
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?”
Olga freed her hand and bitterly smiled.
“You never asked. I only mattered to you as a housewife. Apparently, that was it. But if you had asked, I would have answered. I have nothing to hide. This company was created by my grandfather. Then my father ran it. When he fell ill three years ago, I gradually became involved in managing the business. But I did it quietly, not publicizing it. I wanted to be seen as a professional, not as the housewife who inherited everything.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“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!”
At that moment, a tall man in an expensive suit casually walked out of the living room. His movements were calm, his smile friendly, but there was hidden strength in his demeanor.
“Is everything okay?” he asked quietly, watching Oleg closely. “I heard yelling, so I thought I’d check in. Just in case.”
“Everything’s fine, Alexander,” Olga replied softly. “My ex-husband is leaving now. Right, Oleg?”
“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.
Olga breathed a sigh of relief.
“Thank you, Sasha! I’m so grateful you agreed to help.”
“Who said I’m just helping?” he looked into her eyes with a serious expression. “I’m determined to fight for your heart, Olga Sergeevna.”
Olga raised her eyebrows in surprise, but the corners of her mouth lifted in a satisfied smile.
“Really?” she tilted her head. “And how do you plan on doing that?”
“To start, I’m inviting you to lunch. I promise! No clichés. Only sincerity and respect.”
Olga glanced at her watch.
“I have an important meeting in an hour. We need to discuss the company’s reorganization.”
“Then we’ll have dinner tonight. I’ll wait as long as necessary.”
His voice held no flattery or pretense, only the confidence of a man who knew exactly what he wanted.
Olga smiled. It seemed that life was indeed taking a sharp turn. And this time, it was in the right direction.