Olga flipped through her cooking magazine with enthusiasm, jotting down notes in the margins. A new recipe for French julienne really caught her eye.
«I should try using porcini mushrooms instead of champignons,» she thought, imagining how she could surprise her husband with a unique flavor.
Cooking had always been her true passion.
She could spend hours experimenting in the kitchen, creating new flavor combinations. Lately, she found herself thinking more and more about writing her own cookbook, gathering all her original recipes in one place.
Caught up in her latest idea, Olga didn’t even notice the front door open. It was only when she heard heavy footsteps in the hallway that she realized her husband was home.
«Oleg, you’re back already? I found such an interesting recipe!» she exclaimed, happily stepping into the hallway. «Just imagine, we can combine French and Russian cuisine! It will be something extraordinary!»
Her husband walked past her silently, not even glancing her way. He smelled of expensive cologne and women’s perfume.
Olga felt a chill run down her spine.
«Dinner’s ready. I made your favorite…»
«Enough!» Oleg cut her off sharply. «I’m tired of your cooking experiments! That’s all you ever talk about! I’m not interested. I’m exhausted!»
He walked into the living room, pulled some papers out of his suitcase, and threw them forcefully onto the coffee table. Several sheets scattered across the floor.
«What’s this?» Olga asked, her voice trembling as she picked up the documents.
«Those are divorce papers. Sign them. No drama.»
Olga felt the world start to spin. She grabbed the back of a chair, trying to steady herself.
«What are you saying? Divorce? Everything was fine between us! We just celebrated your promotion. You told all the relatives what a wonderful wife I am.»
«You were a wonderful wife!» Oleg shouted, unzipping his expensive jacket. «For a regular manager… maybe. But now I’m the deputy director! I have a different circle now, new opportunities. My life is on another level. Standards you can’t keep up with. I’m ashamed now to admit you’re my wife. It’s a disgrace! Think about it—who are you? A housewife obsessed with recipes! A little gray mouse! You’re not on my level!»
«But I thought…» Olga’s tears streamed down her cheeks. «I wanted to write a book. Start my own cooking channel.»
«God, how petty and pathetic that sounds!» Oleg sneered. «Do you hear yourself? I need a woman on another level. Educated, sophisticated, someone who speaks three languages. Not a cook with dreams of a cookbook.»
«So, is there someone else?» Olga went pale, clutching the divorce papers.
«Yes. And she’s a hundred times better than you. With her, I feel proud and respect myself. With you, it’s the opposite. Unfortunately, our marriage is over!»
«Two years! For two years I’ve been here! When you were just a regular manager! When you couldn’t afford a decent suit! I cooked, cleaned, ironed!»
«Exactly!» Oleg cut her off. «You were nothing but a laundress and a cook. But I’ve moved on! All right, enough talk. Just sign the papers and let’s end this circus. The apartment is yours, so I’m leaving. I won’t claim anything. Tomorrow I’ll send people for my things.»
Oleg headed for the door, dialing a number as he went.
«Yes, darling, I’m on my way. Wait for me at our restaurant.»
The door slammed shut with a crash. In the silence that followed, you could hear the ticking of the clock and the dripping of water from the kitchen faucet.
Olga slowly sank into a chair, clutching the divorce papers. The forgotten pie in the oven began to burn, but she didn’t move.
Her entire world, the one she had worked so hard to build over the past two years, collapsed in just ten minutes.
«How could this happen?» her mind kept repeating. «When did everything go wrong? And why didn’t I notice?»
But the only answer was silence, and the bitter scent of another woman’s perfume that would forever linger in her memory.
Morning started with a knock at the door. Olga, who hadn’t slept all night, slowly dragged herself to open it for unexpected visitors. On the threshold stood two sturdy men in movers’ uniforms.
«Good morning! Oleg Vladimirovich sent us. We’re here for his things,» one of them said politely.
Olga nodded silently and led them to the bedroom. In the large closet, her husband’s suits were hanging—expensive, branded ones. She ran her hand along the fabric of a jacket she had picked for their anniversary. A bitter lump rose in her throat.
«Here are his things,» she said quietly. «But please be careful with the blue suit. That’s his favorite.»
«That was his favorite,» she corrected herself mentally.
While the movers packed up his belongings, Olga dialed her friend’s number.
«Alla? Hi! Are you at work?»
«Yes, is something wrong?» the woman asked with concern. «You sound different.»
«Oleg… he brought divorce papers yesterday,» Olga’s voice trembled.
There was a long pause on the other end of the line.
«Oh God… Olya, I’m so sorry! Honestly, I feared this. Ever since his promotion he’s become a different person.»
«What do you mean?»
«Sit down. This is going to be a long conversation,» Alla sighed. «Ever since he was made deputy general director, he’s seemed out of control. He started being rude to subordinates, humiliating everyone—especially women. And then that… Marina Vitalievna showed up.»
«Who?»
«The new HR manager. Young, ambitious, from a very wealthy family. She wrapped Oleg around her finger in no time! They started having lunches together, staying late at the office.»
Olga felt her hands begin to shake.
«Did everyone know?»
«I’m sorry, dear! I wanted to tell you but didn’t know how. I thought maybe it was just a phase. But they really lost all sense of decency! Openly flirting in meetings, leaving together for lunch. And last week, she was showing off a diamond ring—a gift from a ‘special someone.’»
At that moment, one of the movers dropped a box of belongings. The noise made Olga jump.
«I’ll call you later,» she said quickly, hanging up.
The next hour passed in a haze.
The movers took out all her husband’s belongings, leaving an empty space in the closet. Olga absently gathered the scattered ties and closed the now-empty drawers.
In the pocket of an old jacket, she found a photo of them together: they used to be happy, smiling. Overcome with emotion, she tore the picture into tiny pieces.
Her phone rang. It was Alla.
«Olenka, how are you? I can’t stop worrying, I’m thinking about you!»
«You know what I just realized? I’m actually grateful to this Marina. She showed me my husband’s true colors. Or rather, my soon-to-be ex-husband’s real face.»
«What are you going to do now?»
«I don’t know yet. But I’m not going to sit here and cry anymore. That’s enough!» Olga’s voice grew firm. «For two years I lived his life. Maybe it’s time to start living my own?»
«That’s right, girl!» Alla said, more lively. «But you know what? Don’t rush to sign the papers. Let him sweat a little.»
«No! I’m signing them. I won’t demean myself by holding on to someone who betrayed me. But that doesn’t mean I’ll forget and forgive everything. He’ll pay for every tear I cried!»
Saying goodbye to her friend, Olga walked over to the window.
Her husband’s things were being driven away in a car that slowly rolled down the street. Olga watched as it disappeared in the distance, feeling her old life leaving with it. The future was unknown, but for the first time in a while, she wasn’t afraid.
Quickly, she grabbed 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 some special arrangements for the evening.»
…The ‘Grand Hotel’ shone brightly. A row of expensive cars lined up at the entrance: the company’s top managers had gathered for the annual corporate event.
Oleg helped Marina out of the car, admiring her long legs and the fitted red dress she wore. His life had changed dramatically over the last month.
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.
«Darling, look how everyone admires us,» purred Marina, adjusting his tie. «We’re the perfect couple! Sometimes I envy myself!»
The luxurious banquet hall was filled with a festive atmosphere. Waiters served champagne, and lively music was playing.
Oleg and his companion took the central table—his position as deputy CEO was hard to miss.
«Can you imagine,» she whispered to him, «they say the company owner will be here for the first time tonight! A mysterious woman! No one has ever seen her, but they say she’s a very powerful person.»
The man just smirked.
«Probably just some old lady who inherited the business. I’ve seen plenty of those!»
At that moment, the CEO stepped up to the stage.
«Dear colleagues! Tonight is a special evening. For the first time in our company’s history, the owner is present at our gathering. Please welcome Olga Sergeyevna!»
Oleg choked on his champagne. His ex-wife, with a confident step, was walking up onto the stage.
But she had changed so much! The elegant black dress highlighted her perfect figure, confident posture, and stylish hairstyle. The woman who used to be just a housewife was gone.
«Good evening, dear colleagues!» Olga’s voice was calm and commanding. «I’m happy to finally meet you all in person. All these years, I’ve preferred to watch the company’s progress from afar. But now, it’s time for change!» She paused, surveying the silent hall. «Starting tomorrow, I will be personally involved in running the company. I have big plans for the future. I’m confident that together we can take the business to a new level. We are in for major changes and rapid growth. And tonight, I wish you all a wonderful evening!»
Olga’s speech was met with loud applause. Employees gathered around her, eagerly offering champagne. She carried herself with regal grace, making a point to chat with everyone.
Her ex-husband rushed toward the stage, pushing his way through the crowd.
«Olya! Wait! We need to talk! I want to understand what’s going on!»
But she seemed to melt into the crowd. Marina was left sitting at the table, nervously twisting a napkin.
«How could you not know?» she hissed. «Why did you never tell me your wife owned the company?»
«I didn’t know either!» he blurted out. «Do you think if I had known, I would’ve left her? Are you stupid? She never…»
«Don’t come near me again,» Marina snapped, grabbing her purse. «You’re a complete loser! Why would I want you now?»
The woman turned and quickly headed for the exit.
Oleg was left alone at the empty table. His ex-wife had long disappeared, leaving behind an air of admiration and a whirlwind of emotions. The only thought spinning in his head: «What have I done?»
