The husband forgot to end the call. The wife overheard his conversation with his mother and filed for divorce the very same day.
Anna closed the last report and leaned back in her chair. Her work as financial director in her father’s family business required constant attention. At thirty-two, she had already achieved a lot.
“Dad, I’m heading home,” Anna said, peeking into her father’s office. “We’ll discuss the new investments tomorrow.”
“Of course, sweetheart,” her father lifted his head from the documents. “Say hello to Lesha for me. When are you coming back to the dacha?”
“This weekend for sure,” Anna smiled. “Alexei promised to help you with the greenhouse.”
The drive home took half an hour. Anna parked her new car in the yard and went up to the second floor. She had bought the three-room apartment before getting married. Spacious rooms, high ceilings, large windows. After four years of marriage, it breathed with the warmth of their family nest.
“Lesha, I’m home!” Anna called, taking off her shoes in the hallway.
“I’m in the kitchen!” her husband replied. “Dinner’s almost ready.”
Alexei stood at the stove, stirring something in a pan. He worked as a mid-level manager; his salary was modest, but that never bothered Anna. They shared the household chores equally.
“How was work?” Anna hugged her husband from behind.
“The usual hustle,” Alexei turned to her. “And how’s your project with the new partners?”
“We’re still sorting out the paperwork,” Anna sat at the kitchen table. “By the way, did your mom call?”
“Yes, after lunch,” Alexei served dinner onto plates. “Everything’s fine. She told me about the neighbors, complained about the weather. You know, her birthday is coming up.”
“Of course I remember,” Anna picked up her fork. “Sixty years, that’s a big milestone. We should come up with something special as a gift.”
On weekends they often went to the country house Anna had inherited from her grandmother. Small, cozy, the perfect place to relax. Galina Ivanovna always admired it.
“Remember how we had her teeth fixed last year?” Alexei sat down across from his wife. “Mom still thanks you warmly for that.”
“Family is family,” Anna shrugged. “Then we got her the trip to Sochi, did some repairs. Galina Ivanovna deserves care.”
Her mother-in-law had always treated Anna warmly. She called her “daughter,” asked about her work, and never interfered in their family life. Anna was sincerely grateful for such a relationship.
“And what about a gift for Mom?” Alexei put the dishes into the sink. “Maybe some jewelry?”
“I thought about that,” Anna twirled her ring thoughtfully. “But I’d like something more meaningful. Jewelry is beautiful, but quickly forgotten.”
In the following days, Anna kept thinking about the gift. A vacation package? Galina Ivanovna had just returned from one. Appliances? She already had everything she needed. It had to be something special, something memorable.
“Dad, what do you think about a dacha?” Anna asked during her lunch break.
“In what sense?” her father set aside his sandwich.
“As a birthday present for Galina Ivanovna. A small plot with a house,” Anna unfolded a plan. “She’s always dreamed of having her own garden.”
Her father looked at her attentively.
“A sensible idea,” he nodded. “Check the options in the suburbs. Something nice but cozy.”
Anna spent several days studying listings. Realtors offered different choices, but most weren’t suitable. Too large, too far, too rundown.
“This plot looks interesting. Suburbs, twenty minutes by car. The house is small but sturdy. Six acres, with fruit trees.”
“How much are they asking?” Anna studied the pictures carefully.
“Two and a half million. Negotiable,” the agent flipped through the documents. “The owners are moving to another city.”
Anna wrote down the address. The property looked just right—small, well-kept, with potential for development. Galina Ivanovna would definitely appreciate such a gift.
That evening, she discussed the idea with her father on the phone.
“An excellent choice,” he approved. “Your mother-in-law is a practical woman, a dacha will be useful for her. And the price is reasonable for your means.”
Anna ended the call and dialed Alexei’s number. Her heart was pounding with anticipation—her husband would surely love the idea. Galina Ivanovna had always dreamed of her own garden.
“Lesha, hi!” Anna’s voice sounded cheerful. “I have news about your mom’s gift.”
“Tell me, sunshine,” Alexei sounded intrigued. “What did you come up with?”
“How about a dacha?” Anna paced around the office. “I found a wonderful place in the suburbs. Six acres, a neat little house, fruit trees already growing.”
“Seriously?” her husband’s voice was filled with excitement. “Mom will be over the moon! She’s said so many times that she’d love to grow her own tomatoes.”
Anna smiled, listening to his delighted reaction. Alexei had always supported her desire to care for his family.
“They’re asking two and a half million,” Anna continued. “But it’s worth it. Just imagine how happy she’ll be!”
“This is the best idea ever!” Alexei was clearly excited. “She’ll remember such a gift for the rest of her life. You’re a genius, my love.”
The warmth in his voice comforted Anna’s soul. She imagined the three of them planning the festive day together.
“I have to run,” Alexei’s tone was tender. “See you tonight, my dear. We’ll go over all the details at dinner.”
Anna was just about to say goodbye when she realized the call hadn’t ended. In the receiver, she heard her mother-in-law’s familiar voice.
“Lyoshka, are you done chatting with that little rich girl?” Galina Ivanovna spoke irritably.
Anna froze, not understanding who she meant. Could her mother-in-law really be talking about her? Her hand trembled as she held the phone.
“Yes, Mom,” Alexei sighed. “She started on the gift topic again. Always shoving her money in our faces.”
“I’m sick of her generosity,” Galina went on. “Helping and helping, but next to her I feel like a beggar. She always emphasizes her superiority.”
Anna sank into her chair, her legs giving way beneath her. The very people she considered family spoke of her with such malice.
“But Mom, soon everything will change,” Alexei lowered his voice. “Remember I consulted that lawyer? There are ways to make her sign everything over to me.”
“What exactly?” his mother asked with interest.
“I’ll slip papers under her nose disguised as regular documents,” Alexei explained. “She’s so trusting, she won’t suspect a thing. Bit by bit, I’ll transfer everything to myself.”
Anna covered her mouth with her hand, stifling a scream. The man she had loved for four years was cold-bloodedly plotting to deceive her.
“And then what?” Galina was clearly pleased with the plan.
“First, we’ll squeeze as much money as possible out of her for so-called family needs,” Alexei continued. “Then I’ll file for divorce and claim half the savings from her personal accounts.”
“Well done, son,” his mother approved. “Maybe we could also make up some serious illness for me? Ask her for money for treatment abroad.”
“Brilliant idea,” Alexei agreed. “After the divorce, we’ll live comfortably, and Anya will be left with nothing.”
Anna quietly ended the call. Numbness gripped her. Tears rolled down her cheeks, but inside, determination was rising.
The two people closest to her were planning to rob her. The ones she trusted most in the world saw her only as a source of money.
Anna wiped away her tears. She would no longer allow herself to be deceived.
That evening Alexei came home in high spirits. Whistling a cheerful tune, he took off his jacket in the hallway.
“Anya, sunshine, I’m home!” he called from the corridor. “So, did you go check out the dacha for Mom?”
Silently, Anna placed a folder of documents on the kitchen table. On top lay the divorce petition.
“What’s this?” Alexei grabbed the paper, scanning the lines. His face turned pale…
“Exactly what you and your mother deserve,” Anna replied calmly.
“What are you even talking about?” Alexei tried to feign confusion. “Some kind of bad joke, huh?”
Anna looked at her husband coldly. This was the man who had just been planning to rob her—and now he was pretending to be an innocent victim.
She reminded him:
“You forgot to end the call this afternoon. I heard your entire conversation with Mommy.”
Alexei jerked upright. Panic flickered in his eyes, but he quickly regained composure.
“Listen, you just misunderstood,” he began, moving closer to the table. “Mom and I were just chatting, fantasizing.”
“Fantasizing about making me sign over my property?” Anna rose from the table. “About forged documents? About faking an illness?”
“Anya, darling, calm down,” Alexei reached out his hands toward her. “We’re family—surely you don’t believe such nonsense?”
Anna stepped back. This man was still trying to deceive her, even while looking her straight in the eye.
“Pack your things and leave,” Anna said coldly. “This apartment is mine, bought before the marriage. There’s no place for you here anymore.”
“You can’t throw me out!” Alexei protested. “I’m your husband!”
“Ex-husband,” Anna corrected him. “The petition has already been filed. The papers are in hand.”
Alexei paced the kitchen, desperate to find arguments. The mask of the caring spouse had completely slipped.
“Fine! You want to play dirty?” he barked. “So be it! I’ll sue for half your savings, and then we’ll see who comes out on top!”
“Try it,” Anna said evenly. “The property is premarital, and I’ve long kept my savings in corporate accounts.”
Alexei fell silent. He realized he had lost.
An hour later he left the apartment with a single suitcase. That same evening, Anna called a locksmith and had the locks changed.
The divorce was finalized quickly. Alexei received only a token compensation.
A month later, Galina Ivanovna came to Anna. She cried, begged for forgiveness, and swore it had all been her son’s idea.
“Anya, dear child,” the mother-in-law sobbed. “I loved you like my own! You know I’m not really like that!”
“Now I know exactly what you’re really like,” Anna replied, without inviting the woman inside.
“But we were family,” Galina insisted. “Can’t we stay in touch? You’ve always been like a daughter to me.”
Anna shook her head.
“Family doesn’t betray one another,” she said, and closed the door.
The next day, Anna changed her phone number. She blocked her former husband’s family on all social networks. Galina Ivanovna was left without her usual financial support, while Alexei rented a single room in a communal apartment.
As for Anna, she continued building her life—now with a clear understanding of the true value of human relationships and the importance of protecting personal boundaries.
