Veronica was blindsided by her husband’s affair. But rather than succumbing to anger, she quietly began to build a new life for herself. Read the emotional story of how she found her strength and reclaimed her freedom.
Veronica gently lowered the cup of cooling coffee, her fingers—adorned with rings, gifts from her husband over twenty years of marriage—trembling ever so slightly. Through the expansive panoramic window of the Bellagio restaurant, the city lights sparkled, and the waiters moved about with practiced efficiency. Yet, she paid no attention to the lively scene around her. Her focus was fixed entirely on one table at the far end of the room.
What a coincidence, she whispered, watching Ivan tenderly caress the hand of a young brunette. What an amazing coincidence…
“How many times have I asked you to bring me here?” Veronica thought bitterly, her gaze never leaving the table. “Ten? Twenty?” She remembered every time she had asked him to take her to the restaurant. “Honey, I’m tired.” “Sweetie, maybe another time.” “Veronica, I have an important meeting.”
Excuses. Excuses year after year.
And now, there he was—laughing, relaxed, as if he had regained his youth, spending his time with someone else. Veronica looked at him, her mind turning cold. He was enjoying everything she had once longed for, while she had to endure the role of a dutiful wife.
She didn’t say a word. Instead, she turned to the waiter who approached her table.
“Would you like anything else?”
“Yes,” Veronica raised her eyes, a hint of amusement playing across her features. “Please bring me the bill from that table over there. I’d like to give a gift.”
The waiter looked at her in surprise. “Pardon?”
“The man in the burgundy blazer is my husband,” she said coldly. “I want to pay for their dinner. Just don’t mention who exactly did it.”
The young man looked confused but nodded. Veronica pulled out her credit card—the one Ivan had given her last birthday. ‘Spend on yourself, my dear,’ he had said back then. Well, I’m spending on myself now, she thought. On my future.
After settling the bill, she stood and walked past her husband’s table. Ivan was so engrossed in conversation with the woman that he didn’t even notice her, or perhaps he simply didn’t want to. Veronica smirked. How many times had I been blind to what was right in front of me?
She stepped outside, inhaling deeply, the cool evening air refreshing her lungs. One thought swirled in her mind: “Well then, Ivan, you chose this. Now it’s my turn.”
At home, Veronica kicked off her shoes and headed into her study. The weight of frustration lifted with each step. Her hands no longer trembled as she opened her laptop and created a folder titled “New Life.” She was ready to move on.
Opening the closet, she pulled out a box of documents—files she had kept meticulously, the ones Ivan had never bothered to look at. It pays to be thorough, she murmured, as she sifted through the papers.
The house documents were right where she left them, five years ago, after selling her grandmother’s apartment. Ivan had been starting his business and had asked her to hold onto the documents.
“Veronica, you understand that all funds are needed for business development right now. I’ll make it up to you later.”
She understood. She had always understood. That’s why she had registered the house in her name, just in case.
The next item she opened was the bank accounts. Veronica went through the figures with practiced precision. She knew every detail—every penny that belonged to her.
Her phone buzzed, a message from Ivan: Running late at an important meeting. Don’t wait for dinner.
Veronica smiled at the text. “An important meeting… Yes, dear, I saw just how important it was.”
She opened her contacts and dialed Maikahil Stepanovich, the family lawyer.
“Good evening, Maikahil Stepanovich. I’m sorry for the late call, but I need a consultation. Does ten o’clock tomorrow work for you? Excellent. Let’s meet at the ‘Swallow’ café. Yes, that’s right—the matter is delicate.”
After hanging up, she stretched and gazed out of the window. The city lights below twinkled, but now they no longer seemed romantic. They signaled change, big change.
The morning after, Veronica woke up early and sat in the kitchen, reviewing her notes. Ivan, who had returned late last night, was still asleep. For the first time in years, she was excited to see what lay ahead.
“Good morning, dear,” she said casually as Ivan walked into the kitchen, still groggy. “How did yesterday’s meeting go?”
Ivan froze for a second before quickly recovering. “Productive. We discussed a new contract.”
Veronica raised an eyebrow and sipped her coffee. “Oh? And what is this… contract called?”
Ivan’s voice sounded almost too natural, but his right eyebrow twitched slightly—a sign of nervousness. “What do you mean?”
“Oh, nothing,” Veronica smiled, “I’m just curious about your affairs.” She stood up from the table. “I have to go; I have a meeting.”
“A meeting?” Ivan asked, his voice rising slightly. “With whom?”
“With the future,” Veronica said enigmatically as she walked out.
At the “Swallow” café, Maikahil Stepanovich was already waiting. The café smelled of fresh pastries and warm coffee, a stark contrast to the tension that Veronica felt as she sat down across from the lawyer.
“Veronica Alexandrovna, your call surprised me,” Maikahil said as they ordered.
“Lately, many things surprise me,” Veronica said, her voice calm. “Tell me, Maikahil Stepanovich, how quickly can a divorce be finalized if one party owns most of the jointly acquired property?”
The lawyer choked on his coffee. “Pardon… what?”
“You know the house is in my name, right? And most of the funds in the accounts are my personal savings. I want to know my rights.”
The lawyer, visibly surprised, spent the next two hours going over every document with Veronica. He was impressed by her preparation.
“I’ve never seen such a prepared woman,” he commented. “Usually, in these situations, everyone acts on emotion.”
“And I don’t want to act on emotion,” Veronica replied, her voice steady. “I want to give a special gift.”
After the meeting, Veronica went to the bank and spent hours ensuring everything was in order. The young manager, impressed with how clearly Veronica knew what she wanted, handled her request swiftly.
“So, we’ll close the main account and transfer the funds to a new one in your name only,” the manager confirmed. “And block the cards.”
“What about your husband?” the manager asked cautiously.
“He will keep his salary card,” Veronica replied with a cold smile. “Thirty thousand a month should suffice for his ‘important meetings.’”
As she left the bank, Veronica felt a strange sense of freedom. Her phone vibrated again, this time from the joint accountant. “Veronica Alexandrovna, there’s an offer to buy your share of the company. The price is more than attractive.”
“Excellent, Anya Sergeevna. Prepare the documents. And let’s not inform Ivan Pavlovich for now. I have a surprise for him.”
Later that evening, Ivan returned home and immediately confronted her.
“Veronica, do you know why our joint cards are blocked?” he asked, looking confused.
Veronica feigned surprise. “Really? Perhaps it’s a system glitch. We’ll figure it out tomorrow.”
“But I needed to pay for…,” Ivan faltered.
“Pay for what, dear?” Veronica asked sweetly. “Maybe for dinner at the Bellagio? By the way, how did you like the food there?”
Ivan’s face turned pale. “You… you were there?”
Veronica smirked. “I even paid your bill. Consider it an advance on a future gift.”
On their twentieth wedding anniversary, Ivan greeted Veronica with a bouquet of roses and a smile. “Happy anniversary, dear! I reserved a table at…”
“At the Bellagio?” Veronica interrupted. “No need. I have a special gift for you.”
She handed him the folder. “Open it. I’m sure you’ll like it.”
Ivan opened the folder, his face growing paler with each document he read: divorce papers, proof of her ownership of the house, and even the restaurant bill from the night before.
“What is this?” Ivan stammered. “Have you lost your mind?”
“No, dear,” Veronica replied calmly, sipping her coffee. “For the first time in twenty years, I’m thinking clearly.”
She had already sold her share in the company, and now, she was giving Ivan the gift of freedom.
Veronica’s calm demeanor masked the emotions bubbling inside her. The man she had loved was gone, but she was ready for the future. “Where are you going?” Ivan asked, panic in his voice.
“To Tuscany. Remember, I always dreamed of visiting there? Now I can indulge that little weakness.”
Veronica smiled, feeling free for the first time in years. As the taxi took her to the airport, she knew her life had just begun.