Once, you thought that love could withstand anything.
You and Evdokim were together for three years before the wedding. Three years filled with dates, conversations late into the night, shared plans, and promises never to leave each other.
That is why, when you got married, you were sure a happy life awaited you both.
But married life gradually destroyed what you had built for so long.
The first months of living together could still be called happy. However, Evdokim slowly began to change. He grew irritated over trifles more and more often, becoming cold and withdrawn. Any disagreement turned into an argument.
If you suggested changing something, Evdokim almost always objected.
— I think it would be better to do it differently.
— And I think you're overcomplicating things again, — he would reply coldly.
Over time, even ordinary conversations became difficult between you.
He almost stopped showing affection. He avoided long talks, rarely asked about your life, and increasingly found reasons to stay away from home.
You did not understand what was happening with him. Sometimes you would sit in the living room and stare for hours at the door to his study, thinking:
Why does the man who once loved you so much now look at you as if you had become a stranger to him? Why is he always angry? Why does every word she says irritate him?
You tried to talk to him.
— Kim, tell me honestly... what is going on between us?
He was silent for a long time, then tiredly ran a hand over his face.
— I don't know.
— Then let's try to figure it out.
— And what if I don't want to figure it out anymore?
Those words hurt deeply.
But the heaviest day came when Evdokim finally said:
— I want a divorce.
Silence fell over the room.
You looked at him for a long time, trying to understand if he had really said it.
— Are you sure?
Evdokim looked away.
— Yes.
After that, you did not try to hold him back.
The divorce was finalized without loud scenes or scandals. Your paths finally diverged.
Two years passed.
During that time, your life changed almost completely. You enrolled in and completed a master's degree. You became a promising lecturer at the university. Your career was rising rapidly.
It was there that you met Anzhela.
At first, you were just colleagues, but gradually you became close friends. Anzhela was someone you could talk to about anything. Always so smiling and ready to help. Sometimes you felt she was almost too kind, and you wondered who she really was.
One day, after work, Anzhela unexpectedly suggested:
— Come over to my place tonight.
— Why?
— For dinner. My boyfriend recently proposed to me. I'd like to invite you to the wedding. So I want to introduce you to him! — Anzhela said joyfully, incredibly excited about the celebration.
You were surprised by the invitation. You congratulated her and agreed to come after all.
That evening, you arrived at her home.
Anzhela met you at the door with a wide smile.
— Finally!
— Sorry, I'm a bit late.
— It's fine. Come in.
You stepped inside and took off your coat.
The house was warm and cozy. Dishes were already set on the table, small lamps were lit, and soft music drifted from the living room.
Anzhela led you to the kitchen and called out:
— Kim, darling, my friend is here! Come join us!
From the hallway came the sound of a door opening, then the sound of approaching footsteps.
You turned your head toward the kitchen entrance and saw her fiancé.
Standing in the doorway was him. Evdokim.
He looked at you, then at Anzhela, and he did not move from the doorway.
— She knows why I'm here. I told her on Tuesday, before she invited you. I'm not going to sit at this table and pretend otherwise.
You gripped the back of the chair you were standing next to. You stared at him for a very long time. It even seemed like you stopped breathing for a moment.
Seeing your ex as your new friend's fiancé... Is life playing a cruel joke, or what? How am I supposed to process this?
— you thought frantically, looking at him, and at her, and at the third plate nobody had cleared away.