Marina gently placed the last shirt in Alexey’s suitcase—a ritual she cherished after years together.
“Don’t forget your charger,” she reminded him. Nervously glancing at his watch, he replied, “Thanks, honey. Taxi’s here.” A quick kiss, he departed.
She felt a chill without his usual long goodbye.
To distract herself, Marina visited Meridian Mall. She planned lunch, but a colleague redirected her to Almond restaurant on floor two. As she climbed, she froze—Alexey sat there with an unfamiliar woman, chatting, her hand on his. He looked happier than she had seen in years.
Her heart raced; pride and pain held her back. She walked away, canceling lunch, and called her friend Lena. At Aquarelle café, Marina shook as she described what she’d seen.
They followed him—first to the bookstore, then watched him help the same woman into a taxi. Alexey then went to his office in another mall. Half an hour later he emerged with a folder, then returned home.
At dinner, Marina confronted him: “Weren’t you flying?” His trip was canceled last minute; he’d met Anna, a German investor, instead. The meeting was “not regular”—he wanted the promotion. He bought Marina a sapphire necklace, planned to surprise her. The investor? Just business.
Skeptical, Marina questioned every detail. He showed the signed agreement, the gift, and reassured her: she was the only one. They shared dinner, she saw his phone held their wedding date. No secrets left.
Next morning, he surprised her with a day away—no phones, just them. They laughed about the spying. Their spark rekindled.
A week later, a postcard and chocolates from Cologne arrived—Anna’s gift. Next day, Marina packed Alexey’s suitcase again, this time for a real trip—and she’d help.