“I know,” she answered calmly. “About Vika, your relationship, about you wanting to leave.”
Andrey looked at her in surprise.
– Where…?
– Your phone di:ed before you left, remember? You took my old one to call a taxi.
You logged in with your ID and didn’t come out, – Marina put her glass on the table. – All your messages came to me. Every single one, Andrey.
Andrey felt blood draining from his face.
All of his chats with Vika, plans for the future, pledges of divorce…
– Marina, I don’t know what to say.
“Don’t say anything,” Marina came up close to him. “Just answer one question. Do you love her?”
Andrey opened and closed his mouth again.
He believed he loved her. All week, he was certain that he loved her. But today, standing here, gazing at his wife and their remodeled flat, knowing about the child…
“I don’t know,” he replied honestly.
“I’m confused.”
Marina nodded, as if she expected just this response.
– Okay. Then this is what we’ll do: she took the untouched glass from him and placed it next to her own. – I will give you a week.
Pack your belongings and stay with friends, parents, or a hotel – anywhere you like. Think of everything. About us, the child, and how you feel.
Come back in a week and tell me what you’ve decided.
“What if I decide to leave?” Andrey asked quietly.
Marina closed her eyes for a moment, and he saw how much effort it took her to remain calm.
– Then you will leave. I will not hold you back. But I want you to be absolutely sure of your choice.
Andrey glanced at his wife, as if for the first time in years.
Her strength, dignity, and affection were all things that had once piqued his interest, but had since become habitual and imperceptible.
“I don’t deserve you,” he whispered.
– Perhaps, – Marina smiled weakly. – But it’s up to you. Now go.
And don’t call me this week. I want you to think, and not look for easy ways.
Andrey nodded. He slowly approached the suitcase, which was still standing in the corridor, and picked it up.
“See you in a week,” he said, standing at the door.
“See you later,” Marina replied.
