I can’t take it anymore, leave!
«Are you trying to ruin my meeting and sabotage the contract?! You… You’ve been making my life miserable lately! You’re doing everything just to spite me!»
Pavel shouted at his wife, who was barely standing. Lately, Pavel couldn’t bear being near his wife. She had become unrecognizable.
The vibrant, cheerful Polina he had known for nearly ten years was gone. In her place stood a different woman—pale, quiet, exhausted. She cried more often without reason.
She struggled to keep her composure when calming the kids, frequently raising her voice at them, only to apologize afterward, saying, «I’m just tired, I’m sorry.»
At first, Pavel endured it. After all, who knew what was going on? But soon, he began to distance himself. Tonight was important to him.
Dinner with potential partners—people he had been trying to meet with for over a month. Polina knew how crucial it was. He had even chosen her dress—one she hadn’t worn in a while.
A dark blue, figure-hugging dress. She had once looked stunning in it. Yet, even in this dress, she looked lost. They made their way to the restaurant in silence.
Pavel stepped out first, adjusted his shirt collar, and glanced back at his wife. But she was staring blankly ahead. «Polina, are you coming?» he called over his shoulder. «We’re already late.»
«Wait…» She stopped on the stairs, swayed, and clung to the railing. «Sorry, I feel dizzy…» He turned around. Her face was even paler. She winced, as if in sharp pain. And then he lost it.
«What the hell is going on?!» Pavel snapped. «Seriously?! Right now?! You’re going to ruin everything?!» «I didn’t mean to…» she whispered, not looking up at him.
«You didn’t mean to?! This is happening over and over! You’re always tired, always not yourself, always saying you can’t or won’t… How much longer is this going to go on, Polina?!
You’re sabotaging my life! And today, you’re ruining my work too! Do you even realize how this looks?» Polina stared at him, confused. He was furious. She couldn’t say a word.
«I’m just not feeling well…» she muttered. «Then go home. Just get out of my sight! I don’t need a circus during this meeting. Thanks for at least trying!»
He turned away and marched inside without looking back. Polina stood at the bottom of the stairs. The dinner went as planned.
Pavel was polite with the potential partners, joking at the right moments, setting traps, and luring them in with promises. The deal was within his grasp.
Now, however, Pavel stood in front of his apartment door, unable to press the buzzer. His phone was in his pocket, but he didn’t pull it out. He just stood there, staring at the door.
He remembered when Polina had been different… She had been the perfect wife, a wonderful mother. Now, Pavel couldn’t explain the changes in her. «What should I do now?» he whispered to himself.
A tight feeling gripped his chest. He was afraid to go in, not because of a potential argument—he knew Polina would stay silent. He was afraid because he feared she was truly unwell.
That it was worse than he wanted to admit. Pavel felt more and more lost in his emotions. He tried not to get angry with Polina, to keep his composure. But it was getting harder.
She had changed, and he saw it every day. Weak, tired, irritated. She was always apologizing, but it seemed to him that it would be easier if she just stopped acting this way.
Worst of all, he was starting to feel hatred toward her. Sometimes, he just wanted to leave, slam the door, and never come back.
He knew this wasn’t right. It shouldn’t be this way. And yet, he couldn’t handle it. He decided to talk to his brother. His brother had always been calmer, more rational.
He could give advice. They met in the evening. Pavel remained silent for a while, then exhaled. «I don’t know what’s happening to me. I can’t stand being around her anymore.
Everything about her irritates me—her voice, the way she walks around the house, the way she talks to the kids… It’s like I’m burning up inside. Is that normal?»
His brother didn’t respond right away; he just looked at him. And in that look, Pavel saw something strange. It was as if his brother knew something else.
«Are you judging me now?» Pavel asked sharply. «It’s obvious from your eyes.» «No, no,» his brother shook his head. «It’s not about that.» «Then what is it about?»
He remained silent for a moment, then said quietly, «Talk to Polina. It’s not my secret, but you need to know.» «What secret? Did she tell you something?»
«No, Pasha, I found out by accident. Talk to her calmly, without accusations.» «Is it a sickness?» «Just talk to her. You’ll understand everything.» That evening, Pavel talked to Polina.
She admitted she had been feeling unwell for a long time—tired, weak, depressed. After her last doctor’s visit, they suspected leukemia. Shocked, Pavel promised to be with her through it all.
He started supporting her, taking her to treatment, encouraging her despite her condition. They went through tears and despair, but after a long journey, the doctor announced remission.
Years later, as Pavel suffered from a memory-loss illness, he still looked for Polina’s eyes. She was always there, holding his hand. «Are you here?» he whispered. «I’m with you,» she replied. «Always.»
