— Are these your children? Then you’ll feed them yourself, — the husband said coldly. — I have no money right now. You’re so independent — deal with your problems. No money — let them starve.
— Please, help me convince Lesha to fulfill his duties, — Yana pleaded, holding back tears. — He doesn’t pay child support, and soon they’ll kick us out of the rented apartment. Where will we go? I managed to earn ten thousand, but I still need fifteen more. Don’t you have even a drop of sympathy for your grandchildren?!
A nasty “beep” sounded from the phone — a notification of a new message. Yana lazily reached for the device, hoping for good news — maybe a discount from her favorite store or an invitation from an old friend. But instead, the screen showed the name — Alexey. Her chest tightened sharply.
— Hi, Yana. Here’s the thing… I’m having work problems right now. I won’t be able to pay for now.
Yana read the message several times. She couldn’t believe her eyes. What does “won’t pay” mean? How can he write that? They have children together! Lera and Vitalik. They need to eat every day, wear clothes, study. And every kopeck counts for Yana. They live in a rented apartment, earn minimum wages, save on literally everything. And now this…
Swallowing hard, she dialed his number. The ringing seemed endless.
— Hello, Lesha, what does this mean? — she tried to keep calm.
— Yana, you again? — he replied irritably. — I told you — no job. What can I do?
— No job? — her voice betrayed her trembling. — What about the kids? We agreed! This isn’t charity — it’s your responsibility!
— Yeah, sure, but I just have nothing right now! When I find a job — I’ll give everything back, — his voice clearly irritated.
— And how long should I wait? A month? Six months? — Yana could no longer hold back her emotions. — So my kids should live on air?
— I’m sick of you! — Alexey shouted. — It’s not like I’m doing this on purpose! When I have money — there will be help! But for now — deal with it yourself!
And he hung up.
Yana was stunned. She sat unable to take her eyes off the phone. Did he really say that? After so many years together, after everything they went through?
She remembered his mother’s words:
— You’re too soft, Yanochka. With guys like Lesha, you have to be tougher. Otherwise, he’ll just sit on you and relax.
Back then, Yana didn’t take those words seriously, dismissing them as old lady chatter. Now they sounded like a terrible prophecy.
Fragments of memories flashed before her eyes: the wedding, the birth of the children, family evenings… Was it all just an illusion? Had she been so wrong about the man?
It was time to pick up the children from school. She slowly stood up, put on her jacket, looked in her wallet — 287 rubles left. Enough for bread and milk. And then?
Yana grew up in a simple but loving family. Her mother taught primary school, her father worked as an engineer. They lived modestly but warmly and harmoniously. Her parents adored their only daughter and tried to give her the best.
Her father, though stern in appearance, constantly brought Yana treats from work. Her mother taught her to be kind, honest, and never to lose hope. Since childhood, Yana dreamed of great love, a family where children would grow with care and love. She believed in fairy tales, princes, and her bright future.
In school, Yana studied well, was active and sociable. After graduating, she entered university, as her mother wished. It was there she met Alexey.
He was two years older, studying economics. Tall, handsome, with an attentive gaze — he immediately won her heart. Alexey courted her tenderly and persistently: flowers, movies, romantic walks, poetry. He said Yana was his angel, his inspiration, the meaning of his life.
Yana fell in love blindly. She thought she found her soulmate. They talked for hours about everything, they were interested in each other. Alexey seemed caring, purposeful, confident. He shared plans for the future, dreamed of becoming a successful businessman and providing the family with everything needed.
Yana believed him. To her, he was the example of the perfect husband and father. A couple of months later, they married. A modest but very warm wedding marked the start of her happy life.
After university, Yana started working at a school, as she dreamed. Alexey focused on his career — spending much time at work, often staying late. Yana supported him, made the home cozy, and greeted him with dinner.
Two years later, Lera was born, a year later — Vitalik. Yana quit work to fully devote herself to the children. She loved motherhood, enjoyed every moment with the little ones. Alexey was also happy — played with the children, read stories, kissed them goodnight.
But over time, Yana noticed changes. Alexey became irritable, often snapping over trifles. He started staying late, justifying it with important matters. He stopped paying attention to his wife, they took fewer walks together, romantic evenings disappeared.
Yana never restricted her husband’s freedom and trusted him unconditionally. She wasn’t even going to read that message, but curiosity got the better of her. She opened the chat and read a few lines that froze her blood:
“I miss you so much! When will we meet again? You are the best man in the world!”
Yana couldn’t believe her eyes. It was unbelievable. So Lesha is cheating on her? Her hands trembled, spots flickered before her eyes. She closed the phone and threw it as if it burned her hands.
One thought spun in her head: how could he? How could he betray her and the children? That evening, Yana said nothing. She decided to wait and figure it all out herself.
But she didn’t have to wait long. A couple of days later, she saw Alexey in a restaurant at a table with that very woman. They held hands, kissed… Yana understood: this was no fiction, no mistake. Her world collapsed.
At that moment, she realized it was over between them. That her prince turned out to be a fraud. That he betrayed not only her feelings but their family.
At home, Yana packed her husband’s things and put them out the door. When he returned, she told him everything she thought of him. Alexey tried to justify himself, swore love, begged for forgiveness. But Yana was adamant. She no longer believed a single word. Divorce became inevitable.
After Yana showed the evidence, Alexey was forced to admit. He said it was a moment of weakness, that he would fix everything, that he loved only her and the children. He promised to start over.
But Yana heard nothing. Her heart turned to stone. Words had no power anymore. Only pain and disappointment remained.
— I can’t, Lesha, — she whispered, looking at the floor. — I can’t trust you again. We are no longer a couple.
Alexey begged, asked her to stay, offered anything. But inside Yana, the old love was gone a long time ago. Only coldness and emptiness remained.
Divorce was the logical end of their relationship. The division of property began. Yana didn’t want scandals, courts, or conflicts. She cared about only one thing — the well-being of the children.
— Take everything, I don’t want anything, — she told Alexey. — Just help the kids. The apartment is rented, take the car — I don’t need it.
Her husband agreed. They arranged child support: ten thousand rubles monthly plus payment for kindergarten, school lunches, aftercare, and clothes. The agreement was verbal, without official paperwork. Yana trusted — after all, it was for the children.
While married, Yana didn’t work. After the divorce, she had to find a job herself. She tried to get work in her specialty — unsuccessfully. Everyone refused: no experience after maternity leave, two small children. Only after some time did a friend offer her a side job — cleaning offices in the evening. The work was hard but allowed her to earn.
During the day, she cared for the children; in the evenings, she cleaned floors and dusted. It was tough, but Yana didn’t give up. For Lera and Vitalik, she was ready for anything.
Alexey paid regularly, sometimes even brought gifts. Yana was grateful to him for that at least. She hoped they would maintain normal relations for the children.
She tried not to remember the past. She lived in the present, thought about the future. She dreamed that the children would grow healthy, happy, and with good prospects.
But being a single mother was not easy. Fatigue became a constant companion. There was no time for herself, rest, or friends. Friends drifted away — some because of her difficult situation, some out of envy, some simply didn’t know how to support her.
Life shrank to work and caring for the children. Yana forgot about her dreams. She existed for Lera and Vitalik.
But the woman understood: she needed to change. Find a better job, find time for herself, build a new life. However, she still hoped for Alexey, so she never officially registered the child support.
“Why? He pays. I don’t want extra problems,” thought Yana. This mistake cost her dearly.
A few days after his statement about stopping payments, Yana was walking home from work. A cold drizzle fell, the city seemed gray and joyless. She wanted only one thing — to get home quickly, warm up, forget everything.
Passing by an expensive restaurant, Yana suddenly stopped. A white SUV pulled up to the curb. Alexey got out and quickly disappeared through the doors of the establishment. Yana froze.
— Where does he get money for such a car? He said he has no funds…
Curiosity won out. She approached, peeked through the window. And saw — Alexey sitting at a table with a young, well-groomed girl. They laughed, ate, drank wine. They looked happy.
Yana’s heart clenched. There he was, her “poor” ex-husband — having a grand time, leaving her and the children without means of subsistence.
She wanted to burst inside and pour out all her pain. But she restrained herself.
— I won’t stoop to his level, — thought Yana. — I’ll prove to him I’m stronger. That I can manage without him.
She turned and walked away. Tears choked her, but she didn’t allow herself to cry. She made a decision: she would fight for herself and her children. Not with scandals and mutual accusations, but with success, strength, and dignity.
Two weeks flew by like a nightmare. Yana worked tirelessly, trying not to think about the looming disaster. She economized on literally everything — ate potatoes and pasta just so the children wouldn’t go hungry. But funds were still lacking.
The apartment rent was 25,000 rubles a month. The payment deadline approached inevitably, and Yana didn’t have the needed sum. On the way home from work, she stopped by the bank and withdrew the last money from her card — ten thousand. She still needed to find fifteen thousand more.
At home, after hesitating a little, Yana dialed her ex-husband’s number. She hoped he would come to his senses and help. Would he really allow their children to be left on the street?
— Lesha, hi… Can you send money? Rent is due tomorrow, — she said with a trembling voice.
A mocking laugh answered:
— You’re so naive, Yana. I have no money. Forget about child support.
Her heart contracted with pain and rage.
— How can you say “forget”? What about the kids?! They’re not to blame! — Yana shouted.
— That’s your problem, — Alexey replied coldly. — Deal with it yourself. You’re so strong and independent.
Yana couldn’t hold back:
— You’re just scum! You abandoned us with the kids! You’re nobody!
But Alexey just laughed into the phone:
— Figure it out yourself however you want! — and hung up.
The enraged woman threw the phone against the wall.
In despair, Yana decided to turn to Alexey’s mother — Tamara Denisovna. She had always been kind before, helped with advice, sometimes even money. Yana hoped that at least the grandmother would pity her grandchildren.
— Tamara Denisovna, hello… This is Yana. I really need your help. Alexey stopped paying child support. We have no money for rent, the children are starving…
In response, she heard icy indifference:
— Why are you calling me? Don’t you have your own mind? Deal with it yourself.
— But the children? They’re not to blame!
— The children are your responsibility, — the interlocutor sharply cut off. — Alexey has helped you enough. It’s time to know your limits. He even pays for kindergarten — others don’t give anything at all. Be glad there’s at least something.
After these words, Yana completely lost faith in humanity. She was left alone, without support, with two children in her arms.
— Everything will come back someday… — she whispered and put down the phone.
She remembered: tomorrow was Lera’s birthday. She promised to arrange a celebration, buy a cake and presents. Now everything had collapsed. She went to the store and bought the cheapest cake and a small doll. The rest of the money — nine thousand.
After putting the children to bed, Yana sat nearby for a long time, looking at their peaceful faces. It hurt unbearably. She wanted to cry, but instead of tears came a new feeling — determination.
The idea came suddenly, like a lightning strike. No more negotiations, no more tears. Only cold calculation and a plan of action.
First, Yana took an old phone, found a family law legal consultation online, and made an appointment.
The next morning, while the children were at school and kindergarten, she went to the office. The lawyer listened carefully to her story, asked some questions, and said:
— You have excellent chances to collect full child support and demand arrears for previous months. A verbal agreement has no force, but if you provide proof of his financial help — the court will be on your side.
— How to prove that? — Yana asked.
— Bank transfers, witness testimonies, any documents. The more facts, the better.
This information ignited a new surge of strength in her. She began actively collecting evidence: bank statements, contacts of acquaintances who could confirm Alexey helped the children.
Meanwhile, Yana looked for extra work. She posted resumes on websites, called everyone she knew. And again fortune smiled — some students wanted to prepare for exams.
Thanks to word of mouth, her client base grew. Life slowly began to improve. The apartment remained, and there was even a little free money.
The court day came. Yana was nervous but remained strong. Alexey came with a lawyer, with a defiant look as if confident in his impunity.
All collected evidence was presented in court. Witnesses confirmed Yana’s words. Alexey’s lawyer tried to dispute everything but failed.
The court ruled in Yana’s favor. Alexey was ordered to pay child support arrears and increase the monthly amount to sixty thousand rubles — taking into account his real income and the children’s needs.
Alexey was furious. After the trial, he began threatening:
— You shouldn’t have started this. You’ll regret getting involved with me. I’ll destroy you!
But Yana was not afraid. She immediately filed a police report. Alexey was given an official warning.
From that day on, Yana stopped being afraid. If needed — she would drag him through the courts. She didn’t need his mercy or threats. The main thing was that the children received what they were entitled to.