Anya was sitting in the armchair, examining a lipstick. It wasn’t hers… She never wore lipstick. Especially not such a bright red color.
Once, having found a long black hair on the car headrest, Anya asked her husband whose it was, since she was a brunette with a bob haircut.
“Ah… don’t stress about it. Remember yesterday there was a heavy downpour? Well, I was driving past a bus stop and saw a girl with a child, a boy about three years old, so I decided to give them a ride. It turned out they live just a block from us.”
“I see,” she exhaled.
“Anya, are you jealous? What do you suspect me of?”
“No, it’s just this hair…”
“Come here.” Egor hugged his wife and stroked her shoulder. “You know I love only you and I don’t need anyone else.”
And now the lipstick. She found it last night under the car mat when she went through the self-service car wash. What was this? Maybe Egor gave a ride to a colleague? But they had only one woman at work, the cleaner Maria Mikhailovna, 60 years old. Anya had seen her — a modest woman, a pensioner, who obviously didn’t use such things.
Unpleasant thoughts crept into her mind. She and Egor had been married for seven years, and recently her husband had been staying late at work often, saying that with his new position he had more responsibilities.
Approaching the mirror, Anya critically examined herself from all sides. She was 30 years old, but had not a single wrinkle on her face yet, except for some expression lines near the eyes due to her thin skin. A fashionable bob haircut suited her very well, and she had a slim figure. Men still often complimented her, although since getting married she had stopped styling her hair and applying eyeliner every day. Or maybe her husband just stopped loving her? No, she had to check everything.
The phone rang on the table.
“Hi, Egor, have you left work yet? Should I warm up dinner?”
“No, honey, I’ll be late today. Just for a couple of hours. As soon as I’m free, I’ll come home. Love you.”
Short beeps came from the line…
Anya immediately dialed her friend.
“Marina, can I borrow your car for the evening? Egor is staying late at work, and I promised my mom I’d come today and bring her a ficus. I’ll fill it up for you.”
“No problem, come by.”
Going downstairs, she entered the neighboring entrance and took the car keys. In her bag was a container with food. She intended to go to her husband’s workplace. She just wanted to make sure he was there. If he wasn’t lying, she would say she brought him something to eat, and then ask him to stop by a shopping center to pick out new bedding.
Arriving at his office, she saw a faint light in the corridor near the checkpoint. After knocking, she saw the security guard Viktor Stepanovich stand up and approach the door.
“Hello, could you please let me see my husband?”
“Hello, Anna Sergeevna. Your husband is not here; he left the checkpoint exactly at five o’clock. Maybe you just missed him.”
“Probably. I was returning from my mom’s and decided to stop by, in case he was late again. Thank you, goodbye.”
Getting into the car, Anya called her husband again.
“Are you free yet?”
“Another hour and I’m home. Don’t bother me — the sooner I finish, the sooner I’m home.”
“Interesting, what exactly will you finish?” — she thought. There could be no doubt — her husband was lying to her.
When he arrived in the evening, Anya pretended to have a headache and locked herself in the room. She didn’t want to talk to him. Inside, everything was boiling; she wanted to tell him all her suspicions and accuse him of infidelity, but she had no direct proof.
The next day she took documents to the tax office, reported to her employer on the completed work, and took three days off at once from two companies where she worked remotely as an accountant.
Visiting her friend again, she asked to borrow her car for the evening.
“Going to your mom again?” Marina asked with a smile.
“No, some errands. Egor comes home late from work, and my car is still in repair.”
“Girlfriend, are you hiding something from me? Do you have someone?”
“I don’t have anyone…”
“Well, sit down. What’s going on?”
“I suspect Egor. I didn’t want to tell you at first, but it’s hard to keep it all inside. Marina, I want to follow him. Even though it’s very wrong and I’m ashamed.”
“Let me come with you. I’m bored at home.”
“Let’s go. I just want to know the whole truth.”
By five o’clock, the friends arrived at the office where Egor worked and parked nearby the store’s parking lot so the car wouldn’t attract attention but they could see him. After 15 minutes of waiting, he came out. Anya immediately called her husband.
“Hi, are you going home?”
“Yes, I’m just stopping by one place at work, then I’ll come. I think I’ll be there by eight.”
Marina started the engine and followed him, letting an old man in a Volga go first.
Marina and Anya saw Egor’s car stop near a flower shop. Then, after turning around in the parking lot, he drove along the avenue. The girls kept him in sight and suddenly he turned into a courtyard familiar to Anya and stopped near the third entrance. Her hands trembled, and Marina, looking at her, asked:
“Anya, what’s wrong? Do you recognize this address?”
“Yes. But it can’t be. It just can’t be,” she whispered the last phrase.
“Do you know her? Tell me.”
“This is Olesya, the wife of our friend Sasha. Or rather, ex-wife — they divorced two years ago. They didn’t say the reason; the answer was just ‘we didn’t get along.’ But maybe it’s a coincidence and he didn’t come to her? You know, he always told me he didn’t like women like her.”
“What kind?”
“Artificial ones. Those who are always altering their appearance. No, he’s okay with manicures, as long as they’re not terrifyingly long or bright colors or rhinestones. It’s different — he once said he didn’t like girls like Olesya: eyelash extensions, tattooed eyebrows, pumped-up lips, and a full-arm tattoo. Egor always said he preferred naturalness. You see, I don’t even wear lipstick.”
“Maybe it’s not her, and the address is a coincidence?”
“A lot of coincidences, don’t you think? How to check…”
“Oh, I’ll go up to her — she doesn’t know me.”
“And if he opens the door?”
“Hardly a married man would open the door to his mistress’s apartment. I promise — he’ll hide. What floor does she live on?”
“First. The apartment faces the avenue.”
That’s exactly how Marina said it would be. Fifteen minutes later she ran out of the entrance and hurried to the car. Getting in, she caught her breath.
“So, is he there?”
“He is, girlfriend, he is. I rang the doorbell, she opened it wrapped in a robe. I asked her where the Nikiforovs live; she said she didn’t know them. Then I asked for some water. From the door, you can see the kitchen perfectly, and I saw a vase on the table with that bouquet Egor bought. Men’s shoes were by the briefcase.”
“But how? I don’t understand…”
“People’s tastes change,” Marina sighed. “What will you do?”
“I need to think. One thing I want to say — today he moves out of our rented apartment, and the money we saved for buying a new one we’ll split in half if we divorce. Damn, we were just planning to buy a three-room flat downtown in three months.”
Anya and Marina drove home. She packed all her husband’s things and put them by the doorstep, writing with red lipstick on a large sheet:
“I wish you happiness with Olesya. Give her the missing item — she probably searched for it.”
She stuck the note into the open pocket of the bag and sat by the window. Seeing her husband parking near the house, Anya put his things out the door.
He knocked, shouted, called her for a talk until neighbors threatened to call the police. Only then, gathering his suitcases, he left, writing only a short message:
“Tomorrow at ‘Sicily’ at 3 p.m., we need to discuss everything.”
Only then did Anya let her tears flow. She cried from hurt and disappointment. By morning she understood — Egor wouldn’t let go easily. Anya would take revenge on him and Olesya for her pain and suffering.
She entered the café at 3:20 p.m., Egor was already sitting at the table sipping coffee.
“Oh, you even freed yourself earlier for me today?”
“Anya, what jokes are these? Explain immediately what’s going on!”
“I just don’t like being lied to,” she shrugged and sat down. “I know you have someone else.”
“Why do you think I lied to you?”
“Because of the long dark hair and lipstick — thank Olesya for that. She loves to wear bright makeup. And your tastes have changed, or you wanted some variety.”
“I already explained everything,” Egor said nervously.
“Oh? How do you explain being absent from work when you lied on the phone that you’re still working? Or, for example,” Anya pulled out her phone and showed photos clearly showing her husband leaving the flower shop and then entering Olesya’s entrance.
The man turned purple. Loosening his tie, he leaned over the table and whispered:
“Were you following me?”
“I was. I’m ashamed of it, but on the other hand… At least you won’t be able to feed me lies anymore. So, darling, here’s what we’ll do — we’ll split the money in half, notarize the agreement, and part ways peacefully. And I wonder — does Sasha know about your relationship with his ex-wife?”
“That’s none of his business. After all, as you said, she’s an ex,” he realized there was no point denying anymore.
“Tell me — why were you sneaking to her? You could have divorced me — we have no children together. What held you back? Pity for me? Don’t pity me, I can live perfectly without you.”
“Cowardice. I’m a coward like all men in this regard. I’m comfortable and warm with you; you’re a good housekeeper. And Olesya — she’s a hurricane.”
“Yeah… I don’t even know what to say.”
“Besides,” he continued, “our boss is all about family values; the leaders in his company must be exemplary family men. And I have a big favor to ask — let’s not divorce yet. I’ll fly to Prague, sign a lucrative contract, and then we’ll quietly divorce. If he finds out I’m divorced, I won’t see Prague or the good deal. You know I’ve been preparing for this for a year.”
“Uh-huh,” Anya smirked.
She got up and left the café. No way, she wouldn’t let herself be used. She would take full revenge.
The next day, they signed the agreement on division of funds at the notary, went to the bank, processed the documents, and transferred money to their cards.
Then Anya called Sasha.
“I need your help, come to me.”
She knew he would come. Sasha was a great friend, no explanations needed and he didn’t ask silly questions.
“Hi, where’s Egor?”
“At Olesya’s.” She told him everything in order. “Sasha, I need help. I want to get back at them, but I can’t do it without your help and your sharp mind.”
“You want me to get involved in women’s intrigues?”
“I know the reasons for your divorce — your sister told me she caught you with a colleague. Don’t you want to get back at her? Or for the abortion she had and told you she lost the baby?”
“How do you know?”
“From the same source. Did you forget I talk with your sister? Notice, I didn’t even tell my husband the real reasons, I know how to keep secrets. Besides, you can go to Prague instead of Egor.”
“But he’s my friend.”
“And I’m your friend. That’s why I didn’t want to upset you. But I know who wiped your hard drive. It was Egor. He did it to get that position. I stayed silent because I didn’t want a fight between you. And because I’m a bad friend, apparently. I just wanted to be close to the man I love. And telling the truth would mean betraying him, since no one else knew. It was his mistake to tell me. So, deal?”
“Deal. You’re a dangerous woman.”
“Listen, the company party is in two weeks, I’ll have to accompany him. I’ll strike first. Otherwise, look — he’ll sign a lucrative contract! Not on my watch!”
Two weeks later, Anya visited the beauty salon, spending several hours with the cosmetologist, manicurist, and makeup artist. Then, wearing her favorite dress reserved for special occasions, spraying perfume on her wrists and behind her ears, she left the building and took a taxi.
Egor was waiting for her on the porch.
“You look wonderful.”
“Thank you. Olesya could have ironed your shirt better.”
“Anya, let’s behave at this party as if nothing happened. In three days, I’m off to Prague.”
“Uh-huh.”
Two hours later, the couple hurried to say goodbye to colleagues. They approached the director, who shook Egor’s hand and, kissing Anya’s hand, said:
“You are the most gorgeous woman at this party. Not counting, of course, my charming wife,” he laughed cheerfully, hugging Elena Vasilievna. “I invite you and your husband to the restaurant after he returns from Prague.”
“Igor Borisovich, I’m sorry, but I won’t be able to join you. After Egor returns from the business trip, we’re going to the registry office to file for divorce.”
“What? Divorce? Egor, why didn’t you tell me?”
“Anya, what are you talking about?” Her husband pretended to hear it for the first time.
“Egor, forgive me, but you have a good boss. And I’m ashamed I agreed to your persuasion. It’s awkward that we deceived you. Egor said you value family people, but alas… I’m one of those women who don’t forgive infidelity. All the best.”
Anya ran out of the restaurant and jumped into a taxi. In the rearview mirror, she saw the car with her husband following them. It’s okay, it’s okay. Now he would understand what it’s like to be lied to and betrayed. When they promise one thing and do another.
“What have you done?” he grabbed her by the elbow, catching up with her near the entrance.
“What had to be done. And you thought I’d swallow your nasty deed and lies just like that? No way. And your director is a good person, so let him choose a worthy one. And Sasha, I think, will manage no worse than you.”
“You… you…”
“What? By the way, Sasha knows everything.” Anya turned, waved goodbye, and disappeared into the entrance.
A month later they divorced. By then Sasha had returned from Prague but was no longer the lively guy, the life of the party, but the deputy director Alexander Pavlovich. The contract was signed on favorable terms.
Egor was demoted and soon fired — who else but Sasha would know about his schemes?
Olesya and Egor lived together in her apartment, but not for long. Sasha decided to divide it. Half was his. After the divorce, he nobly left, letting his ex-wife live there without claiming a share. But then he suddenly demanded his half and said he would sell it.
Egor and Olesya panicked because the money they and Anya had saved during their marriage had been invested in a small business. The man had no housing of his own, and the sum Olesya would have after the divorce was barely enough to buy a studio apartment downtown, or maybe on the outskirts. Neither wanted to move there. Olesya tried to convince her ex-husband to wait, but he said:
“Dear, you have a new man; let him support you. You’re in business together, doesn’t it bring income?”
“You know it takes time; you have to invest more. Give us at least a year.”
“No, either buy out my half or I’ll sell it. You’ll live like in a communal apartment with neighbors. One guy agreed to buy a room. He just got out of jail, doesn’t have money for a whole apartment. Or there’s another option — the family buys the whole apartment. Which do you choose?”
“The family,” Olesya said, swallowing tears. She didn’t want to turn the apartment into a commune, especially with an ex-con.
“Get a mortgage.”
“We can’t, we already have loans.”
“It’s okay, you’ll live in a studio, and as the business grows, you’ll expand.”
But the business failed. Only debts remained. They accumulated them together. Because of that, they often quarreled and eventually split. Burdened with debts, Egor sold his company to a larger one that implemented anti-crisis measures, and he went to work as a manager in the same company. Olesya, who had taken loans for a fur coat and a car, expecting the company to bring profit soon, was forced to sell the studio and pay off creditors after Egor left her and sold his failing business.
Both returned to their parents looking like beaten dogs. But Anya and Sasha were doing well. After the divorce, Anya took out a mortgage and bought a two-room apartment which she soon rented out because she moved in with Sasha. A year later, they had a daughter.
Everyone got what they deserved.