The Obedient Wife

— What you call an affair, Polya, is ordinary business for our circle. You know that perfectly well. You’ve always been accommodating and obedient — that’s what our marriage was built on.

My husband says it in a steady tone, as if we’re not living people but parties in negotiations, where he calmly secures the most advantageous clauses.

And before my eyes there’s a picture: him kissing someone else.
Her name is Bertha. Bertha.

— So it’s normal — when people cheat on each other? — I throw the words over my shoulder at him.

He turns sharply, his gaze hard, almost angry.

— It’s normal, yes. Only not with us. In our marriage, only I am the one who cheats.

Then I didn’t leave right away — I needed time and support to prepare to go. But almost soon, a young guy appeared nearby who started to court me.

And very quickly it became clear: he wasn’t doing it out of simple curiosity.