Ana looked out at the windows of her apartment. The light was blazing, Adrian was waiting for her with dinner. But she knew: she couldn’t go back. Not today. Maybe never.
Cata’s apartment was small but cozy, with the scent of vanilla tea and the soft light of a lamp. Cata, an energetic blonde with perpetually tousled bangs, placed a cup of tea and a plate of cheese pastries in front of Ana.
— Tell me, — she said, sitting down across from her.
Ana took a sip of tea, gathering her thoughts:
— Adrian took my salary card. He said he would only return it if I became a “normal wife.” To cook, clean, stay at home… He even spent my money on his motorcycle.
Cata exclaimed:
— So he decides how you should live now? That’s not normal, Ana!
I know, — Ana smiled bitterly. — I’ve already blocked the card. And… I’ve called a lawyer. Tomorrow I’m going for a divorce consultation.
Cata’s eyes widened:
— Seriously? Have you made up your mind?
— Yes. I can’t live like this anymore. He wants me to be his shadow. And I… I want to be myself.
Ana’s phone vibrated. Adrian. She showed Cata the screen.
— Don’t answer, — her friend advised.
But Ana shook her head:
— If I don’t answer, he might come here. He knows where you live.
She pressed the answer button:
— What do you want, Adrian?
— Where are you? — his voice was hoarse with anger. — I’ve been waiting for you for three hours! Where is my dinner?
— I’m not coming, — Ana said firmly. — And not tomorrow either. I’m getting a divorce.
— What?! — he almost shouted. — You wouldn’t dare! You are my wife, Ana! You have to be with me!
— I owe you nothing, — her voice was calm but as firm as steel. — You’ve crossed all boundaries. The card is blocked. And if you try to follow me, I will go to the police.
— The police? — Adrian laughed, but there was uncertainty in his laughter. — Who’s going to believe you? You’re just a hysterical woman who ran away from home!
— We’ll see, — Ana replied and hung up.
Cata looked at her with admiration:
— You’re a tigress! But… what if he really comes?
— Then we call the police, — Ana shrugged. — I have a recording of our conversation. And I’ve already sent it to the lawyer.
The next morning, Ana was awakened by a phone call. It was her boss, Pavel Sergeyevich.
— Ana, we have… a situation here, — his voice sounded tense. — Your husband is at the office. He’s causing a scene, asking for you. Security is already at their limit.
Ana jumped off the couch:
— He’s at the office? Seriously?
— Yes. And he won’t leave. He says it’s a “family matter.” Please come, or I will have to call the police.
In an hour, Ana entered the office. Adrian was sitting in the reception area, his face red with anger. Seeing her, he jumped to his feet:
— Finally! What are you doing, Ana? Have you left your husband, run away from home?!
— Not here, — she pointed to the conference room door. — Come on.
In the small room with a panoramic window, Ana turned to him:
— Why are you here? Do you want to fire me?
— And do you want to declare that you’ve disappeared? — Adrian replied grumpily. — You don’t answer, you don’t come home! I was worried!
— You were worried? — Ana narrowed her eyes. — Or are you upset that I’m no longer under your control?
— You are my wife! — he slammed his fist on the table. — You should be at home, not wandering around unknown places!
— Our marriage is over, — she said calmly. — I’m getting a divorce today. And if you come here or to Cata again, I will file a complaint for threats.
Adrian’s face turned red:
— Do you think I’ll let you go? You’re nobody without me, Ana. Nobody.
She looked at him — for a long time, carefully. And suddenly she smiled:
— You know what, Adrian, I’m just starting to understand who I really am. And I can manage just fine without you.
She opened the door:
— Leave. And don’t come back.
Adrian froze, his face contorted with rage, but he left silently, slamming the door. Ana knew this wasn’t the end — he would try to regain control. But at that moment, she felt something new: power. For the first time in years, she understood that her life belonged only to her.
After a week, Ana sat in the lawyer’s office, holding a file of documents. The divorce petition had been filed, and in her bag was the new salary card. Adrian called every day, sometimes threatening, sometimes begging her to come back, but she no longer answered. Yesterday she found a note in her mailbox: “You will regret it.” But instead of fear, she felt determination.
In the evening, back in the rented apartment she had found through Cata, Ana opened her laptop. On the screen was a plane ticket — to Portugal, a place she had long dreamed of visiting. A ticket. For her.
She smiled, watching the sunset from the window. For the first time in a long time, she felt free. And that feeling was worth any price.
