— Are you waiting for someone? — Her voice sounded even, without a trace of excitement.
Taras looked up, and his face showed neither surprise nor confusion. He simply smiled.
— You, of course.
— Me? — Olesya felt the ground slipping out from under her feet. — Or maybe Zhanna?
— All men are the same, — Anna lowered her voice to a whisper, as if sharing a secret. — Every single one of them! At some point, they get bored, and they start looking for… new sensations.
— Ulyana caught her Renat with some girl yesterday! Ten years of marriage — and all down the drain! — Anna indignantly put her cup on the table and stared at her friend, waiting for a reaction.
Olesya shook her head. She loved Anna, but sometimes her friend got too carried away with other people’s problems. Olesya didn’t know Ulyana and Renat very well – they’d met at get-togethers a couple of times.
– Poor Ulyana… And what, did she catch them right in the bedroom? – Olesya stirred her cold tea with a spoon, feeling strangely awkward.
– No! I saw them by chance in a restaurant. Imagine – walking hand in hand, and this girl is so young! A student, a first-year student, I think, – Anna moved closer. – Ulyana had suspected something for a long time. It was as if Renat had changed – he started staying late at work, surrounded himself with secrets. And the weekends – always some kind of business meetings! On Sunday, can you imagine?
Olesya nodded absentmindedly, thinking about her own. Taras also started staying late more often… But he really does have a lot of work. He was recently promoted.
– All men are like that, – Anna lowered her voice again. – Every single one of them! At some point they get bored and look for… new experiences.
“Don’t talk nonsense,” Olesya objected weakly. “Taras is not like that.”
Anna leaned back in her chair and raised an eyebrow skeptically.
“Really? Are you sure?”
Olesya felt a wave of irritation rising inside her.
“Absolutely. We’ve been together for ten years. We have two beautiful children.”
“So what? Ulyana and Renat also have a child. That didn’t stop them.
“Taras loves me,” Olesya said firmly, but somewhere deep in her soul a treacherous shadow of doubt crept in.
Anna grinned, as if she had read her friend’s thoughts.
“Let’s check your husband?” she suggested. “Then you’ll find out if he’s faithful to you!”
– What nonsense? – Olesya frowned. – I’m not going to spy on my own husband.
– And who’s talking about spying? – Anna leaned forward. – There’s an easier way. Let’s create a fake account of some hottie, write to him, see how he reacts…
– No! – Olesya decisively pushed the cup away. – It’s… unfair. And anyway – I trust him.
– Well, well, – Anna nodded indulgently. – Ulyana trusted him too.
The first signs of doubt seeped into Olesya’s consciousness like water through a cracked dam. Little things she hadn’t paid attention to before suddenly took on an ominous meaning.
Taras really did start staying late at work more often. Sometimes she tried to call him in the evening, but he didn’t pick up. “A meeting,” he would explain briefly later.
Ten years of marriage flew by like one day. She met Taras at the university – he was studying law, she was studying psychology. She was attracted by his confidence, some kind of inner dignity. He didn’t flirt with her like other guys, but simply invited her to the movies – politely and directly. Then there were three years of a relationship, and now ten years of living together.
They argued, of course. It was especially hard after Arseniy was born – Olesya couldn’t cope with her new role as a mother, Taras also wasn’t ready for the fact that a child requires so much attention. The second child, Maya, was born when they had already overcome the crisis, learned to be parents… And then it became difficult again.
Now Arseny is five, Maya is three. The children are wonderful, but there is almost no time left for themselves. And most importantly – time for them with Taras. When was the last time they went somewhere together? Six months ago? A year?
Olesya often caught herself thinking that she was gradually turning into a wound-up machine that spins between work, washing, cooking and putting the children to bed. And Taras increasingly sits on the phone, answering work emails even on weekends.
And now — the children have finally fallen asleep, and Taras is in the living room, engrossed in his smartphone, typing something. Olesya came up quietly, but he still heard — and immediately turned off the screen.
“What’s so interesting?” she asked, trying to sound casual.
“Oh, just some work correspondence,” Taras answered, but his eyes avoided her gaze. And Olesya’s heart sank with a bad feeling.
“I still think this is a bad idea,” Olesya nervously bit her lip, watching Anna create a new profile on a social network.
“Relax! We’ll just test his reaction,” her friend waved her hand. “If he’s loyal to you, he’ll ignore the message or politely refuse.”
“And who are we…” Olesya hesitated, “going to be?”
— I think a young unmarried girl, — Anna filled out the form enthusiastically. — About twenty-five, not too young, but not the same age either. What do you think?
Olesya winced.
— I don’t like this… If I do it, at least do it honestly. Let her be about the same age as me.
— Boring! — Anna snorted. — Men are attracted to the young… So, a compromise — twenty-seven years old, okay?
Olesya nodded reluctantly. After all, she was sure of Taras. This idea would simply prove that Anna was wrong.
— Where are we going to get the photos?
— I have an idea, — Anna smiled. — Do you remember Katya? Well, she’s been to our parties a couple of times. She has a sister, just the right age. Beautiful, bright, just what we need. She lives in St. Petersburg, so no one here knows her. And she has a bunch of selfies on Instagram — look.
Olesya looked at the phone screen. Indeed, a pretty girl — a slender brunette with expressive eyes.
— So, the name… let’s call it Zhanna, — Anna continued. — She recently moved to our city, works in marketing… lonely and looking for new acquaintances.
— Anna, I’m not sure… — Olesya began again, but her friend was already uploading photos to the profile. Let’s create several posts about moving and life from scratch, so that the account doesn’t look fake. That’s it, the account is ready! Now send a friend request to your hubby and write a message, something enticing.
— Wait! — Olesya grabbed her friend’s hand in a panic. — Let’s at least not write first. Let’s just send a request and see if he accepts it.
– Boring! – Anna drawled. – But okay, let it be your way. For the first time.
Taras accepted the request the next day. Olesya saw the notification when he and Anna met again for a cup of coffee.
– Well, and you were afraid, – Anna said triumphantly.
– Maybe he’s just polite, – Olesya objected uncertainly. – He always accepts business contacts.
– Yes, yes, tell me, – Anna was already writing a message. – “Hi! We haven’t met, but you’ve caught my attention. Would you mind talking?” Nothing special, just a friendly greeting.
Olesya felt her insides shrink. She liked this idea less and less.
The answer came an hour later: “Hi, of course I don’t mind. Are you new to the city? What are you doing?”
– See? – Anna raised her eyebrows meaningfully. — He not only answered, but also showed interest!
— It’s just politeness, — Olesya repeated stubbornly, but doubt had already settled inside.
Over the next three days, the correspondence became more and more lively. “Zhanna” flirted more and more openly, and, to Olesya’s horror, Taras responded. Moreover, he himself began asking personal questions and mentioned that “he has been feeling lonely lately, despite his active social life.”
— He didn’t even mention that he was married! — Anna’s voice sounded maliciously triumphant. — And he answers direct questions about his marital status evasively.
And then “Zhanna” suggested meeting. And Taras agreed. He said that he would be at the Hermitage cafe at seven o’clock on Friday evening.
— This is where the experiment should end, — Olesya said firmly, wiping away her tears. — I will go to this meeting myself.
Olesya greeted Friday morning with her eyes red from tears. Nonna, their nanny, looked at her worriedly, but didn’t ask any questions – and thank goodness for that.
As she passed the office, Olesya heard Taras talking to someone on the phone.
“No, I can’t at seven, I have a very important meeting,” there was excitement in his voice.
Olesya’s heart sank painfully. He was really going to this meeting. He really… No, she couldn’t even mentally pronounce this word.
She asked to leave work early, citing a headache. At home, she stood in front of the mirror for a long time, examining her reflection. Her face was sunken, there was pain in her eyes. She carefully applied makeup, trying to hide the traces of a sleepless night, and put on her best dress. If she was going to face such humiliation, she should at least look decent.
The Hermitage cafe was located in the city center. Olesya arrived twenty minutes before the appointed time and took a table in the far corner, from where the entire hall was clearly visible, but it was difficult to see her.
Taras appeared at five to seven – smart, in a dark blue jacket, as promised, and with a bouquet of red roses. Olesya’s heart sank painfully. When was the last time he gave her flowers? On March 8? Or on her birthday?
Taras sat down at a table by the window and ordered something from the waiter who came up. Then he began to glance at his watch and at the front door.
Olesya froze, not knowing what to do next. Should she come now? Or not come at all?
And then she saw Anna. Her friend slipped into the cafe and waved to her from behind the ficus.
“Now or never,” Olesya thought and resolutely stood up. The three steps to her husband’s table seemed endless to her.
“Are you waiting for someone?” Her voice sounded unexpectedly even.
Taras looked up, and there was not a shadow of surprise or confusion on his face. He simply smiled.
— You, of course.
— Me? — Olesya felt the ground slipping out from under her feet. — Or maybe Zhanna?
Taras sighed, took out his phone, unlocked it and handed it to her.
— I knew it was you and Anya, from the very beginning.
The screen showed an open conversation with “Zhanna”. Olesya glanced at the latest messages and went cold — Taras was directly asking if his wife was behind this profile.
— But… How did you understand?
— First, the photos. I recognized the girl in them. At first I thought it was my imagination, but no, I definitely saw her. Then I remembered where, she was at Arseniy’s birthday party, remember? A long time ago, of course, but you know, I have a good memory for faces. But to make sure, I looked through the photo album on Anya’s page from that birthday. Second, the communication style. Anna has a very specific way of writing, with her endless exclamation marks.
Olesya sat down on a chair opposite her husband, feeling a lump in her throat.
– And you still agreed to meet? And bought flowers?
– I decided that since you started such a game, it was worth seeing it through to the end, – Taras shrugged. – Besides, today is a special day for us. Or have you forgotten?
Olesya frowned, feverishly trying to remember. What had she missed?
– Ten years and one month since our wedding, – Taras reminded her softly. – We missed the anniversary because of my business trip, remember? I promised that we would definitely celebrate when we had the opportunity.
– But you told that… in the correspondence… That you were free, – Olesya still could not believe it.
– I decided to play along. I wanted to see how far you would go, – there were notes of resentment in his voice. — And, frankly speaking, I didn’t expect that you would really conduct such a check. I didn’t think that you didn’t trust me so much.
Olesya felt her cheeks flush with shame.
— I… — she hesitated. — Anna told me about Ulyana and Renat, and I just… doubted. You’ve been working so much lately, we hardly see each other…
Taras looked at her attentively, and Olesya couldn’t understand what was hidden behind that look — resentment, disappointment, or something else.
A young woman with a folder of documents suddenly approached their table.
— Sorry for being late, — she extended her hand to Taras. — The traffic is just terrible. All the documents are ready, we can start discussing the details.
Olesya looked at the woman in confusion, then at her husband.
— This is Karina, the realtor, — Taras explained. — I wanted to surprise you. We found a new apartment – spacious, with separate rooms for Arseniy and Maya.
“A new apartment?” Olesya echoed.
“Yes, I…” Taras hesitated, noticing the expression on his wife’s face. “Is something wrong?”
Karina looked from Taras to Olesya in confusion.
“Maybe I’ll come later?” she suggested delicately.
“Yes, please,” Taras nodded and, after waiting for the realtor to leave, turned to Olesya. “Sorry, I didn’t think it would turn out like this.”
“No, you’re the one who’s sorry,” Olesya felt tears welling up in her eyes. “I’m such a fool…”
Taras sighed, then silently took a small envelope out of the bouquet and handed it to her. Olesya looked at her husband in confusion.
“Open it,” he said softly.
With trembling hands, she opened the envelope. Inside was a postcard with Taras’s handwriting: “To my beloved wife on our tenth anniversary. Thank you for two wonderful children and for every day with you. Forever yours, Taras.” Tears ran down Olesya’s cheeks, smearing her carefully applied makeup.
– Forgive me, – she whispered. – Forgive me…
Taras handed her the bouquet.
– I knew you would come. This bouquet was always for you, – he said quietly. – It’s just a pity that you came not as a loving wife, but as an investigator.
And there was so much bitterness in his words that Olesya felt her heart squeeze with pain.
The house was quiet. Nonna put the children to bed and left. Taras silently walked into the living room, Olesya put the bouquet in a vase, not knowing what to say. A tense silence hung between them like fog.
– Taras, – she finally said, gathering her courage. – I know that I acted stupidly. But it seemed to me…
– That I am like Renat? – he smiled bitterly, not looking at her. – That ten years of marriage mean nothing?
– No, of course not! — Olesya came closer. — It’s just that lately you’ve always been somewhere, always on your phone…
Taras raised a tired gaze to her.
— I was saving up for a down payment on an apartment. I took on additional projects, consulted on weekends. And on the phone I was texting realtors, looking at options.
Olesya felt a lump rising in her throat again.
— I didn’t know… You didn’t say anything.
— I wanted to surprise you. I thought you’d be happy.
— What? The complete lack of attention? After Maya was born, I started to feel insecure anyway. The children, the daily routine, everything is on me. It seemed to me that I’d let myself go, constantly in home clothes, tired… And it seemed to me that you looked at me differently. And then these eternal additional projects. Sometimes we saw each other for twenty minutes at a time for weeks: you came, drank tea and went to bed. That’s it! And then Anya with her “Let’s check.” I refused at first, but then you didn’t come home on time even once in a week. What was I supposed to think?
Taras finally turned to her.
“Olesya, this is nonsense. I look at you the same way I did ten years ago.”
“Really?” she raised her wet eyes to him.
Taras nodded, and at that moment Olesya’s phone rang. Anna. Olesya had hung up.
“Don’t you want to talk to her?” Taras asked.
“Not now,” Olesya shook her head. “I… I still blame her. If it weren’t for her idea with this stupid test…”
“Don’t blame Anna,” Taras said unexpectedly softly. “The problem wasn’t her. The problem was your doubts. And my work schedule. I was so carried away by the idea of giving you a surprise that I didn’t even think about how it would look from your side.
Olesya thoughtfully ran her finger along the edge of the vase with flowers, then took out the card and reread it.
“Do you know what struck me most?” she said quietly. “The fact that you signed this card in preparation for the meeting. You knew that I would come, that I had arranged this stupid test, and you still continued to love me.”
Taras put his arm around her shoulders.
“Do you want to see photos of our potential new apartment?”
Olesya nodded, feeling how the weight of the last few days was finally receding.
Taras took out a tablet and began showing her photos of a spacious, bright apartment. And while they discussed the layout of the rooms and the view from the window, Olesya felt how the warmth between them, which she was afraid of losing forever, was gradually returning.
That evening, Olesya understood a simple truth: true loyalty cannot be tested – it can only be believed in.
