Learn how a seemingly innocent 50/50 split led to a husband learning a life-changing lesson about fairness and respect in marriage. A story of growth, realisation and new beginnings.
‘What dinner?’ asked Annabeth, raising an eyebrow. ‘Did you give me money for it? No! So why should I be responsible for it?’
Levan’s face flushed red and he felt anger building up in him. ‘What am I supposed to do now? Go hungry?’
‘Of course not,’ Annabeth replied calmly. ‘You could go to the shop, buy groceries and cook dinner. Or you could order delivery. After all, you have the money.’
‘Is this a strike?’ – he asked finally, his voice rising in frustration. ‘Are you refusing to fulfil your duties as a wife?’
Annabeth’s patience was breaking. She was tired of this. ‘I’m tired of being the cash cow in this family! Why do I have to carry everything on my back?’ Levan threw his briefcase on the table and pointed to the new food processor. ‘You bought something again?’
Annabeth stared at him in bewilderment. This was so unexpected that she didn’t even know how to react. Dinner was almost ready, the flat was cleaned, the laundry was washed – everything was as normal as any other day after a long day at work.
‘Lyova, I’ve wanted this for a long time,’ she said quietly. ‘It was on sale, and I used my wages-’
‘Your wages!’ – he interrupted, striding round the kitchen. ‘And what’s left of it? Penny! Who pays our rent? Я! Who pays for the car? Я! Who covers all the basic expenses? Я!’
Annabeth switched off the cooker and wiped her hands on her apron. The steam from the pot filled the kitchen with pleasant aromas, but her appetite was gone.
‘But I work, too,’ she said quietly. ‘Full-time, by the way. And on my salary we buy groceries. I also cook, clean, do laundry…’
‘Yeah, yeah, you’re a saint,’ Levan grumbled, slamming the cupboard door shut and picking up a mug to pour himself some water. ‘You know what? I’ve had it. It’s going to be fair now. We’ll split the expenses fifty-fifty, since you’re living off me so easily.’
‘What do you mean?’ Annabeth crossed her arms.
‘Exactly what I mean. Since we’re all modern and equal, we’ll pay fifty-fifty. We’ll split the utility bills, phone bills, and all the other common expenses. It’ll be fair, not me taking it all on myself!’
Annabeth wanted to object, but realised it was pointless. He wasn’t interested in fairness, but in controlling the situation. Instead, she sighed and replied, ‘All right, Levan. You want justice, fifty-fifty, then so be it.’
The next morning Annabeth woke up before the alarm clock. Levan was still asleep, turned away against the wall. The conversation from the previous night was swirling around in her head, keeping her awake. Quietly getting out of bed, she went to the kitchen.
In four years of marriage, they had somehow arrived at a division of labour that now seemed distinctly unfair to her. Yes, Levan earned more. Yes, in the first year of their relationship, when she was still in her senior year of high school, it made sense that he would provide for her financially and she would take care of the house. But then Annabeth started working too! First part-time, then full-time. However, the household duties remained entirely on her.
She opened her laptop and began to look at her card statements. Salary, utilities, groceries, daily expenses… Almost everything she earned went into the family budget. But what about her contribution? Cooked meals, laundry, cleaning – didn’t that count?
As she sipped her tea, memories of their first meeting brought a sad smile to her face. Levan had courted her. He had called her his queen and said he would do anything for her. And now? ‘Cash cow,’ huh? How quickly romance turns into accounting for some men.
Later that day, Levan was sitting in his office talking to his colleague, Irish.
‘And you know, Irish, I told her yesterday – enough is enough. We’ll live like all modern families – fifty-fifty,’ Levan leaned back in his chair, looking pleased with himself.
Irish glanced at him, and his expression changed to one of curiosity. ‘And how did she react?’
‘You won’t believe it – she agreed!’ Levan grinned, a sense of victory in his voice. ‘Immediately, without argument.’
‘Really?’ Irisha raised an eyebrow. ‘Just like that?’
Levan nodded. ‘Looks like she’s finally realised I’m right. What’s wrong with fairness?’
‘Everyone has their own idea of fairness,’ Irish replied thoughtfully, turning back to his work. ‘My aunt likes to say, ‘Be careful what you wish for, they tend to come true’.’
Levan frowned, not understanding the meaning. ‘What does that mean?’
Irish smirked. ‘I have no idea, but it sounds clever, doesn’t it?’
Levan laughed, brushing away the strange feeling that had briefly crept into his soul. It would be all right. Annabeth was a sensible woman.