I was walking to the restaurant, holding on to my coat in the cold wind, when a white SUV pulled up beside me. The window slowly rolled down and inside sat a woman with dark glasses and perfectly styled hair.
She leaned across the passenger seat. – Are you Lena?
I froze, clutching my bag tighter. – Yes… Who’s asking?
She took off her glasses and I saw shrewd eyes. – Is Alexei your husband?
Yes,’ I answered. – Why? Is he all right?
The woman tilted her head slightly, an enigmatic smirk on her lips. – ‘Oh, he’s fine. But you should check out where he goes for his ‘treatments’. And while you’re at it, take a look at his bank statements.
I froze, stunned. – What? Who are you? What are you talking about?
She pressed her lips together as if deciding what to say.
Let’s just say I’m just doing you a favour,’ she said, before raising the window again. The SUV drove off, leaving me standing on the pavement puzzled.
What the hell was going on?
All the way to the restaurant, the woman’s words echoed in my head. Why is a stranger saying these things to me? And how does she know Alexei?
When I got home that night, Alexei was already asleep.
I sat down at the kitchen table, looking at the clock while my thoughts raced frantically through my head. Something wasn’t right about that conversation.
The next morning, Alexei grabbed his bag, kissed me on the cheek, and went to work.
I’ll be back around three,’ he said. – I have two procedures today. One in the evening.
In the evening? – I asked.
Yes, my therapist has scheduled a special session.
Okay,’ I replied, forcing a smile. – Take care of yourself.
As soon as he left, I headed straight for his laptop. My hands shook as I opened his banking app. I told myself it wasn’t spying. I just needed peace of mind.
But as I scrolled through the transactions, my heart dropped.
There were no payments to medical facilities. No hospital bills. No doctor’s services. Nothing.
Instead, I saw restaurant bills, golf club memberships, expensive clothing shops, and even a weekend expense at a resort I’d never heard of.
What was it?
I scrolled faster, hoping I’d missed something. But everything was black and white.
Alexei didn’t pay for treatment. He spent our money on luxuries. Things we never talked about. On things I never approved of.
When I closed the laptop, I trembled. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.
Later that evening, I decided to follow him as he left for his ‘special session’.
I kept a safe distance, my heart pounding with every step.
But Alexei didn’t go to the hospital or clinic.
He went to a small bar in the centre of town. The kind where people come to relax and pass the time.
I stood outside, frozen in place, watching Alexei laughing and joking with his friends. It was like watching a stranger. The man I saw was not the sick, suffering husband I thought I knew.
It was a completely different person.
I took a deep breath and moved closer to the window, just in time to hear his words.
I said I wouldn’t be able to do anything for three months,’ Alexei said, raising his glass. – And you were wrong!
His friends laughed loudly, clinking glasses.
Dude, I can’t believe you managed to pull that off,’ one of them said. – Did your wife really buy it?
Alexei laughed, leaning back in his chair. – Totally. Told her I was too sick to work. Now I have all the time in the world to socialise with you.
They laughed again, and their laughter was carefree, while my heart was torn to shreds.
And she still gives you money? – Another friend asked, shaking his head in bewilderment.
Yeah,’ Alexei took a sip of wine, looking pleased with himself. – She even took a part-time job so that I would be provided for. I have to say, being married to such a naive woman is a real advantage.
His words pierced me like a knife. My mind filled with images of him sitting at home, watching me running from one job to another while he was having fun with his friends.
I couldn’t take it anymore. I turned around and walked away, tears covering my eyes.
As I was about to head home, I saw the same white SUV outside the bar. The woman I had met earlier rolled down her window as soon as she saw me.
Did you see that? – She asked softly.
I nodded, unable to speak.
She sighed. – I’m sorry you found out like that. My boyfriend is one of his friends. When I found out what they were doing…I couldn’t keep quiet. You deserve to know the truth.
I wiped my tears, trying to regain my composure. – Thank you.
That night, I didn’t say anything to Alexei.
I sat at dinner listening to his usual stories of ‘complicated procedures’ and ‘encouraging results.’
But the next morning, I took action.
I called his office and told him he was well enough to return to work.
Then I went to the bank and froze our joint account. The remaining money went to pay the mortgage and I also opened a new account in my name.
When I was done, I sent Alexei a text message.
It said, ‘Alexei, cure your vanity and cruelty-that is your real disease. Don’t come home.’
Then I packed my things, changed the lock on the front door and left with my children to my parents. I didn’t want to see Alexei’s face again.
He tried to call me for weeks, but I wouldn’t talk to him. Instead, I filed for divorce and am now waiting for it to be finalised so that I can finally be rid of the man who betrayed me in ways I could never have imagined.