Andrei always saw himself as a master of life. Even back in university, he managed to work the system so well his classmates were amazed. While others were poring over textbooks, he was already running businesses—sometimes flipping cars, other times building custom computers. It was during those years that he met Tatiana. She was a quiet straight-A student majoring in languages, totally different from Andrei’s outgoing friends. Yet something about her drew him in.
He wooed her in style, and Tatiana melted from the attention of such a popular guy. Before long, they started dating.
“You’re so beautiful,” Andrei would tell her. “Why bother with all that studying? Marry me—I’ll take care of you.”
Tatiana would blush and smile shyly:
“I want to be a translator. I want to talk to people from all around the world.”
Andrei would just wave it off:
“You’ll get plenty of conversation with my business partners.”
In the end, he convinced her. They got married. Money wasn’t an issue. Soon, their son Dima was born. Tatyana dove into motherhood. Then came their daughter, Lenochka. Caring for two little ones took up all her time. Tatyana wanted to hire a nanny so she could try working again—after all, they had enough money. But Andrey was completely against it. “A mother should be with her children,” he insisted.
She was running around like a hamster on a wheel. The family didn’t really live in luxury—Andrey claimed everything was going into developing his business. Yet, he’d buy himself a new TV, a car, or head off on vacation with friends. But when Tatyana asked for a hair dryer, he said the old one still worked.
Years passed. The kids grew up and started school. Tatyana felt lonely. She barely saw her husband, and when he was at home, he was always glued to his phone. Whenever she asked if they could spend time together, Andrey just ignored her. Yet he never seemed to have a problem finding time for his friends.
Tatyana never imagined things would get this far.
“We should separate,” Andrey said one day. “I’m tired of this whole family game. I have another life. I want freedom.”
“What are you talking about?” Tatyana was bewildered. “And the kids? And me?”
“You’ll figure something out,” he shrugged. “You’re their mother, you’ll manage.”
So Tatyana was left alone with two kids and not a penny to her name. Andrey moved out that same evening. He left them the apartment, but paid alimony irregularly. Tatyana scrambled around the city looking for work. She had to leave the kids with the neighbor, thankfully Katya was willing to help.
She couldn’t find a job in her profession—everywhere asked for experience. In the end, she found work as a cleaner at a shopping center. Not her dream, of course. But there was no choice. Later, she started taking extra night shifts. The kids stayed with the neighbor, with friends, or sometimes with their grandmother.
“Mommy, why are you always at work?” Lena would ask.
“Sorry, sweetheart. I need to earn money for food and clothes.”
“But what about Dad? He’s rich. Why doesn’t he help?”
What could she say? It was as if Andrey had disappeared. He didn’t answer calls, and the alimony he sent was almost nothing.
Just when it seemed things couldn’t get worse, another blow struck. Grandpa passed away. Tatyana tried to stay strong for her mother’s sake. But then, out of nowhere, a notary called—Grandpa had left a will.
She was shocked—he only had an old house in the countryside, or so she thought. But it turned out Grandpa had slowly been buying stocks. He left everything he owned to his granddaughter.
The sum was incredible. It would be enough for several years of decent living. Tatyana remembered Grandpa’s words: “Take care of every penny, dear—one day it’ll save you.” Now they meant more than ever.
Tatyana quit her exhausting job and started spending more time with her children. Dima and Lena were overjoyed.
She invested wisely—took courses to refresh her skills, and opened a cozy café in the neighborhood. Business took off. The café became popular. Tatyana often worked there herself—and she genuinely enjoyed it.
One day, she filled in for a waitress. And in walked Andrey—with a much younger blonde. Tatyana’s heart skipped a beat. She hadn’t seen him in over three years.
“Good afternoon. What can I get you?” Tatyana asked calmly.
Andrey looked up and stared at her.
“Tatyana? Are you working as a waitress here now?”
“Yes. What would you like to order?”
“Two cappuccinos and some croissants,” he said with a smirk. “You’ve really hit rock bottom. Or maybe… this is a step above being a janitor, huh?”
The blonde girl giggled. Tatyana kept a straight face.
“Your order will be ready in a few minutes.”
A couple minutes later, two men in expensive suits walked into the café.
“Tatyana! Hey! Are you free right now? Can we talk about our deal?”
“Just doing a little side work, as you can see,” she replied with a smile.
“Most people in your position stay glued to their offices, but you’re out here with everyone. That’s why we respect you,” one of the men answered.
Tatyana glanced over at Andrey, who was frozen in shock:
“Enjoy your meal.”
“Wait, you’re the owner?!” he blurted out.
“Yes. This is my café. If you need anything, talk to our waitress Lena—she’s over there,” Tatyana said, nodding toward Lena before heading to her office.
When she came back, Andrey was gone. There was only a napkin with his phone number left on the table. Tatyana smirked and tossed it straight into the trash.
The past is behind her. From now on, things can only get better.