Conflict had never been Anna’s style—she always preferred peace, often conceding just to keep things calm.

So she kept her feelings to herself and headed off to the store.

At the checkout, though, she suddenly realized she’d forgotten her wallet. Frustrated, she ran her fingers through her hair and tried calling her husband. No answer.

Apologizing to the cashier, she asked them to hold her basket and quickly made her way home.

As she neared the apartment door, ready to step inside, she froze. She could hear her husband, Boris, talking on the phone.

For illustration purposes only.
“Yeah, I’ve figured it all out,” he said. “The apartment’s almost transferred. I just need to send the money.”

Anna’s heart dropped. What apartment? What money? What was he doing?

“There’s some risk, sure,” Boris continued, “but what can she do? She doesn’t suspect a thing. She’s quiet, always gives in.”

Those words pierced her like a knife. After all these years of devotion, was this what he thought of her?

Anna stood motionless, devastated, as she listened to Boris scheme about a future—one that didn’t include her.
When the call ended, she snapped out of her daze and instinctively backed away from the door, hiding around the corner.

Moments later, Boris stepped out. He didn’t see her as he walked down the hall. Once he passed, Anna quietly slipped away. She needed time. And answers.

She called her friend Irina, who immediately sensed something was wrong. Anna told her everything.

For illustration purposes only.
Still shaken, Anna opened her banking app on the way home. The joint account balance had dropped. He really was taking money.

“Well,” she whispered, “if he wants a game, he’s got one.”

Back home, Boris was as impatient as ever.

“Where have you been?” he snapped. “I’ve been starving all day!”