a table in the far corner in the “Swallow” café.

— Veronika Alexandrovna, I must admit, your call sh0cked me

— Lately, many things surprise me, — she said

— Tell me, Mikhail Stepanovich, how quickly can a divorce be finalized if one party owns most of the jointly acquired property?

— Pardon… what?

— You know the house is bought in my name, don’t you? And most of the funds in the accounts are my personal savings.

I want to know my rights.

— You know, — he said towards the end of their meeting, — I’ve never seen such a prepared woman. Usually, in these situations, everyone worked on emotion.

— And I don’t want to act on emotion,

— I want to give a special gift.

After leaving the café, she headed straight to the bank. It was time to begin her plan.

At the bank, Veronika spent nearly three hours

— So then, — she summarized, — we close the main account, transfer the funds to a new one registered solely in my name.

And block the cards.

— And what about your husband? — the manager asked carefully.

— He will keep his salary card. I think thirty thousand a month is enough for… important meetings.

Next on her plan was the travel agency.

— Hello.

I need a tour to Italy. The Tuscan valley, two weeks, the most picturesque places.

— For two? — the young woman asked out of habit.

— No.

Just for me. And the sooner, the better.

That evening, upon returning home, she found Igor in an unusually agitated state.

— Veronika, do you know why our joint cards are blocked?

— Really? — she said surprisingly.

— Perhaps it’s a system glitch. We’ll check it tomorrow.

— But I needed to pay for… — he faltered.

— Pay for what, dear?

— Perhaps for dinner at the restaurant?

Igor paled:

— You… you were there?

— Oh, don’t worry,

Their twentieth wedding anniversary day came.

Veronika woke up early, put on her favorite black dress, and neatly arranged her hair.

Igor came downstairs, holding a bouquet of roses:

— Happy anniversary, dear! I reserved a table at…

— At the Bellagio?

— No need.

I have a special gift for you.

She handed him the folder:

— Open it. I’m sure you’ll want it.

— What is this?

— Have you lost your mind?

— No, dear. For the first time in twenty years, I’m thinking completely clearly,

— The divorce papers, confirmation of my sole ownership of the house, and… oh yes, the restaurant bill.

I thought it would be right if I paid for our last dinner together.

— You can’t do this!

— This is my business! My house!

— Yours?

— Look at the documents more closely.

— You… you’re just taking harsh plan to me

— No, dear. I’m giving you a gift—I’m giving you freedom

— Where are you going?

— Igor asked in a daze.

— To Tuscany. Remember, I always dreamed of visiting there?

At the doorway, she looked back:

— You know what’s most surprising? I’m truly happy to you.

If it weren’t for your… meeting, I would never have dared to transform my life.

A taxi was already waiting outside.

— To the airport? — the driver asked.

— Yes, — Veronika smiled. — To a new life.