David returned home tired. Before the holidays, clients were actively placing orders and demanded the impossible from him. The apartment was quiet and empty, and his girlfriend was going through her phone.
– Where have you been? – Sarah asked.
– At work. Lots of clients, tired…
He went into the kitchen and started rummaging through the pots and pans. He found nothing but salad and diet cutlets. Borscht would be… Sara did not cook normal food because she was watching her figure. In fact, she said that she did not sign up to be a housekeeper. David sat down to dinner, but then the ex-wife sent a message that her daughter was sick. He needed medicine. He dropped everything and started getting dressed.
– And where are you going? – Sarah nervously declared.
– Helena is sick, we have to go to the drugstore.
– Not long ago she was sick. Are you lying to me?
– Children in kindergarten are often sick, you do not understand it.
David is so sick of making excuses. Sara was always indignant at times like this, playing hurtful. In 15 minutes he was already in his ex-wife’s apartment. Maria offered him tea, he did not refuse, because he never had time to eat dinner. David hugged his daughter and started watching cartoons with her.
A year ago they were an ordinary family. And then something occurred to him and he made a mistake – he traded his wife and daughter for a moment of weakness, which was now blowing his mind.
Everything started out fine for them. But, apparently, domestic difficulties, his daughter’s illness and financial problems gave a crack. David had to work without days off, so he was exhausted. And then Sarah came along. She immediately turned his head. He wanted to forget about it and break off contact with her, but good people reported everything to his wife.
Maria could not forgive and filed for divorce. And so he lost the most valuable thing – his family. Despite the breakup, his ex-wife did not limit communication between her daughter and father, because there was a very close connection between them. David was ready to come at any time if they needed help.
While his daughter took her medicine, David looked at his ex-wife. She had become different, so beautiful and blooming. She must have had someone. They put their daughter to bed and sat down in the kitchen. Maria fed her ex-husband and made his favorite tea. She remembered, after all. David missed normal home food and a warm atmosphere so much. In those moments all the man could think about was how he could trade his family for one night. Fool! He had no excuse.
Even though it was well past midnight, David did not want to go home. Naughty Sara was irritating him, her constant rebukes and barbs were already infuriating him. And here he felt so good and comfortable. A family-like atmosphere.
David looked at Maria once more. He so wanted to hold her close to him. No, it wasn’t closeness that interested him, it was warmth of the soul. He would have given anything in the world to get his wife back. At that moment the man felt like a boy on a first date who really wanted to, but was afraid to kiss his favorite girl.
He ventured to take Maria’s hand, but the phone rang. It was Sarah.
– Okay, it’s late. I have to rest,” Maria said.
– Okay… Good night.
Maria went to take a shower, and David decided to stay. When she came out, she was very surprised.
– Helena was waking up, so he stayed.
– Thank you,” Maria smiled.
David rushed to his ex-wife and said:
– I want to stay with you.
– What was that for? David, don’t even start. All the “I’s” have long been settled.
– You are talking about resentment. And I love you.
– David, I’ve learned to live without you. Go away! Otherwise I will never ask for help from you again.
David left. He opened the apartment and lay down in the living room so as not to wake Sara. He had no feelings left for her, he knew it was time to end it all. Yes, it would be ugly, but living and suffering was not an option.
When David informed Sara of his decision in the morning, she screamed like crazy. The girl could not believe that he was leaving her, so beautiful and young.
– It was all because of her. You have always loved her!
– And that was none of your business.
Sarah was gone. All that remained was to melt the ice of the ex-wife’s heart.
