Lera pushed open the apartment door and, with a hint of satisfaction, kicked off her heels – an eight-hour workday had stretched into ten due to a sudden inspection. Yet, despite her fatigue, her mood remained buoyant. Naturally so – yesterday the realtor had announced that a buyer had finally been found for her premarital apartment, one willing to pay the full price without haggling. Four and a half million isn’t a joke. Money that could be invested wisely.
An appetizing aroma wafted in from the kitchen – it seemed Igor had taken charge of preparing dinner, something that rarely happened. Lera smiled – such attention was pleasant. In recent months, her husband had been absorbed in his own affairs, coming home late and often agitated. Lera attributed it to work problems – starting a business is never smooth sailing.
— Igor, I’m home, — Lera shouted as she unpacked her bag.
— On my way, on my way! — her husband called back, and in the next second, he appeared from the kitchen with a glass of wine. — Dinner’s almost ready, change your clothes.
Lera studied her husband – he looked unusually enthusiastic, his eyes sparkling like a child receiving a long-awaited gift. She hadn’t seen Igor like this in a long time.
— What’s going on? — Lera asked as she accepted the glass.
— Oh, it’s happened! — Igor grinned broadly. — Today is the best day of my life! Well, after our wedding, of course.
That slip of the tongue stung unpleasantly, but Lera pushed the odd feeling aside. After changing into something comfortable, she headed to the kitchen where Igor was already plating pasta with seafood – her favorite dish. Nearby, an open bottle of good wine stood.
— So, what’s happened? — Lera asked as she sat at the table. — Did you win the lottery?
Igor laughed and winked.
— Even better! I’ve finally closed the deal of my life!
— What deal? — Lera felt a twinge of concern.
— Remember I told you about the opportunity to take over that chain of car washes? — Igor said hurriedly, waving his arms. — Well, I struck a deal! I took out a loan, made the down payment, and now they’re mine! Well, not exactly mine, but I manage them, you know?
— Wait, — Lera put down her fork. — What loan?
— I had to borrow five million, — Igor replied casually, twirling pasta onto his fork. — But think of the prospects! In a year, I’ll pay it back with interest and still have some left over.
Lera slowly exhaled. Five million – that was a huge sum. They lived comfortably, but earning that kind of money in a year was unrealistic.
— And you took that loan… in your name? — Lera clarified.
— In our names, — Igor corrected. — We’re a family; we’ll handle it together. By the way, one more great news – I bought a house for my parents! It’s small, of course, but in a nice neighborhood, with a plot. Mom had dreamed of it for so long…
Lera felt her stomach clench.
— Hold on, you borrowed five million and already spent part of it on a house for your parents?
— Yeah, — Igor shrugged, as if it were self-evident. — Three and a half for the house, the rest for the business.
Lera exhaled slowly. Five million was an enormous amount. They were not poor, but earning that much in a year wasn’t feasible.
— And you took that loan… in your name? — Lera reiterated.
— In our names, — Igor said. — We’re a family, we’ll manage. By the way, another piece of great news – I bought a house for my parents! It’s small, of course, but in a nice neighborhood, with a plot. Mom had dreamed of it for so long…
Lera’s stomach churned.
— Hold on, you borrowed five million and already spent part of it on your parents’ house?
— Yes, — Igor said nonchalantly. — Three and a half for the house, and the rest for the business.
Lera exhaled slowly. Five million was a huge sum. They were not poor, but making that kind of money in a year wasn’t possible.
— And you took that loan… on yourself? — Lera clarified again.
— On us, — Igor corrected. — We’re a family; we’ll handle it together. By the way, one more excellent piece of news – I bought a house for my parents! It’s small, of course, but in a good neighborhood, with a plot. Mom had dreamed of it for so long…
Lera’s stomach churned.
— Wait, you borrowed five million and already spent part of it on a house for your parents?
— Exactly, — Igor shrugged as if it were obvious. — Three and a half for the house, and the rest for the business.
— And how do you plan to pay back such a sum? — Lera tried to keep her voice calm, though hints of panic crept in.
— And what about your apartment? — Igor suddenly looked at her with an odd expression. — The realtor called; the buyer is ready. Four and a half million – just enough to settle the loan, with a little extra left over.
Lera blinked, not believing her ears. In the few seconds of silence, dozens of thoughts raced through her mind. The apartment inherited from her grandmother, which she had renovated using her own savings. Her plans for that money – to invest a part in a new, larger apartment for their future family, and some for investments. And now Igor claims…
— I took out a five-million loan, parents got a house, and all that’s left is to sell your premarital apartment! — Igor repeated, not noticing the change in his wife’s expression. — Everything will be fine, you’ll see!
Lera froze, trying to process what she had just heard.
— What do you mean by “left”? Did you even consult me before using my money? — Her voice was quiet but firm.
— What’s there to consult? — Igor was surprised. — You wanted to sell it anyway. What difference does it make where the money goes? I simply made the decision as the head of the family.
— Head of the family? — Lera asked, incredulously. — We’re not living in the Middle Ages. This is my apartment, my money…
Her husband waved his hand as if it were trivial.
— But we’re a family! You wouldn’t leave me with debts, right? — Igor smiled that familiar smile that usually melted her heart. But now it only sparked irritation.
Lera took a deep breath to hold back her outburst, and slowly replied:
— These are my funds; I decide where to spend them.
The smile vanished from Igor’s face. He set down his fork and looked at his wife intently.
— So you’re saying you won’t help me? Your own husband?
— I’m saying that you should have consulted me before taking such a huge loan and planning to spend my money, — Lera said, feeling anger boil within. — It’s not even about the money; it’s a matter of respect.
Igor frowned, his tone growing harsher:
— Lera, what kind of greed is this? My parents now have a house, and I can get the business rolling! You do want us to be okay, don’t you?
— Of course I do, — Lera tried to speak calmly. — But your actions say otherwise. You didn’t think it necessary to discuss such serious financial decisions with me.
— And what’s there to discuss? — Igor shrugged irritably. — I’ve crunched the numbers, the business is profitable, and my parents are happy. We live in a nice apartment, and yours is empty. It all makes sense.
— Makes sense? — Lera couldn’t believe her ears. — It would have made sense to discuss it together! I planned to invest that money in our new apartment, maybe even a house. We’re expecting a child soon; we need more space.
Igor grimaced.
— Here we go with the baby talk again. We agreed to wait! First, we need to get the business on track, and then we can have kids.
Lera folded her arms and shook her head.
— If you cared so much about the future, why didn’t you consult me in advance?
— I knew you’d start arguing and setting your own conditions, — Igor said, getting up and pacing the kitchen. — Understand, a man must make decisions and take responsibility!
— Responsibility? — Lera replied bitterly with a wry smile. — That’s not responsibility, it’s tyranny. You laid down the law and now expect me to just agree.
Her husband sighed irritably:
— Well, you’re a woman; you know little about finances anyway! I’m a man – I know what’s best.
Those words hit Lera like a slap. Eight years in the banking sector – rising from a mere operator to head of the credit department – and now this: “you’re a woman.” Lera couldn’t help but recall how many times in recent years she had gently corrected her husband on financial matters, helped optimize taxes, and proposed profitable investments.
Lera remained silent for several seconds, then replied calmly:
— Understood. We’ll settle this matter once and for all right now.
Igor relaxed, assuming Lera had given in.
— That’s my clever girl, — he said patronizingly. — Tomorrow we’ll visit the realtor and finalize the deal…
— No, Igor, — Lera stood up from the table. — I meant something else. This conversation has clarified a lot for me.
Without saying another word, Lera left the kitchen, leaving Igor bewildered and alone. The entire evening, Igor tried to get her to talk, but Lera remained unyielding. She locked herself in the guest bedroom, citing a headache, and spent the night studying documents on her laptop.
In the morning, Lera woke up earlier than usual, even before Igor had managed to get up. Quickly getting ready, she glanced at her sleeping husband and quietly left the apartment. In her bag was a folder containing documents – the purchase agreement for the apartment, the certificate of ownership, and her grandmother’s will.
Her first stop was the multi-functional center, where Lera arrived at its grand opening. She submitted an application for an extract from the Unified State Register of Real Estate (EGRN) for her apartment and paid for an expedited service. While waiting her turn, Lera called her friend Veronica, who worked at a law firm.
— Veronica, hi, — Lera said quietly into the phone. — I have an urgent question. Tell me, can a husband dispose of an apartment, which was mine before marriage, without my knowledge?
— Good morning, workaholic, — a sleepy Veronica replied. — No, if the apartment is registered in your name and is premarital property, then without a notarized consent from the spouse, he cannot dispose of it. What happened?
Lera briefly outlined the situation.
— Wow, your Igor really messed up, — Veronica snorted. — And he even tried to drag you along. But don’t worry, he has no rights to your apartment.
After receiving the extract from the EGRN within an hour, Lera was reassured that the apartment was still registered solely in her name, as it had been before marriage. Next, she headed to the bank where she worked. Despite being delayed, Lera made it in time for the start of her workday. In the credit department, Mikhail Artyomovich, a senior specialist and Lera’s longtime mentor, was already seated.
— Mikhail Artyomovich, good morning, — Lera greeted as she sat down across from him. — I need your consultation. It’s personal.
The senior specialist listened intently and frowned.
— The situation is indeed unpleasant. Let’s check whose name the loan is registered under.
A few minutes of computer work later, Mikhail Artyomovich looked up at Lera.
— The loan is registered in your husband’s name. You’re neither a co-borrower nor a guarantor.
Lera exhaled in relief.
— And could my apartment have been used as collateral without my knowledge?
— Absolutely not, — Mikhail Artyomovich shook his head. — That would require your personal presence and signature on the collateral agreement. Moreover, even if the property is premarital, a notarized consent from the spouse is necessary to complete such a transaction.
Next on Lera’s agenda was her mother’s apartment, where she spent several hours recounting the situation in detail. Elena Petrovna listened silently, occasionally nodding.
— So what do you plan to do next? — her mother asked after Lera finished her story.
— Sell the apartment, as I had planned, — Lera replied firmly. — But not to cover Igor’s debts.
By noon, Lera returned home. Igor was sitting in the kitchen, nervously tapping his fingers on the table. In front of him lay his phone, its screen lighting up with incoming messages now and then.
— Where have you been? — he snapped. — I called you!
— I was out on errands, — Lera replied calmly as she placed the folder of documents on the table. — We need to talk.
— Yes, we do, — Igor agreed, shuffling some papers closer to himself. — I’ve drafted a plan to repay the loan. If we sell your apartment…
— My apartment isn’t for sale, — Lera interrupted.
— What do you mean? — Igor looked at her in confusion.
Back at home, Lera calmly spread the papers before her husband.
— You have a problem, but it’s not mine. I never sold my apartment, and I’m not going to.
Igor picked up the papers, reading the text with widening disbelief. His face slowly turned pale.
— What is this? — Igor suddenly leaped up, clutching the papers.
— This is the extract from the EGRN confirming that I am the sole owner of the apartment, — Lera replied calmly. — Plus, a lawyer’s opinion stating that you have no right to dispose of my premarital property.
Igor paled further, realizing that his plans had collapsed.
— Wait, are you serious? But I already promised the bank that I’d cover part of the loan!
— You should have thought it through earlier, — Lera shrugged. — You didn’t even consult with me before taking such a huge step.
Igor wandered around the kitchen in a flurry.
— What is there to discuss? You just had to help me; we’re a family!
— Family means partnership, not unilateral decisions, — Lera countered. — You spent money you didn’t have, bought your parents a house without asking me. And now you expect me to clean up the mess caused by your irresponsibility?
Her husband’s anger flared.
— So it’s all about the money? I did it for us!
Lera looked at him coldly.
— No, you did it for yourself. And now you’re on your own.
— What do you mean? — Igor’s voice trembled.
— I mean I’m not going to participate in this scheme, — Lera said as she walked to the closet and grabbed a suitcase. — I’m going to my mom’s. Think about what’s more important to you – your ego or our marriage.
— You… you’re leaving me with the debts? — Igor looked lost.
— I’m giving you time to realize what you’ve done, — Lera replied. — And yes, mom agreed to sell the apartment. But the money will go towards what we originally planned – a new home for us. If you still want “us.”
Igor slumped heavily into a chair.
— And what am I supposed to do about the loan now?
— I don’t know, — Lera fastened her suitcase. — Maybe sell your parents’ house? You’re our financial genius; you’ll figure it out yourself.
Three days later, Igor called Lera.
— I’ve been called into the bank, — his voice sounded dejected. — They say I’m behind on the first payment.
— Did you already sell your parents’ house? — Lera asked.
— What?! — Igor exclaimed. — How could I? They’ve already settled in, bought furniture!
— And you wanted to sell my apartment without a shred of conscience, — Lera noted.
— But those are two different things! — Igor persisted. — Your apartment is empty!
— Igor, you don’t understand anything, — Lera sighed. — It’s not about the apartment, it’s about your attitude. You put your desires and ambitions above our shared interests.
— Lera, I’m confused, — Igor’s voice quivered. — Please help me.
— No, — Lera replied firmly. — You brought this on yourself, so now you must deal with it.
A couple of days later, Igor realized he was in deep trouble – the bank was demanding money, and his parents weren’t going to incur debts for him. An attempt to negotiate with the car wash chain manager ended fruitlessly – the money had been transferred, the contract signed. Recovering the investment was impossible.
The old confidence had vanished from Igor. He lost weight, became gaunt, and dark circles settled under his eyes. Every evening he called Lera, pleading for her to come back and help, but she remained unmoved.
— Igor, I’ve filed for divorce, — Lera said during one of those calls. — The documents will arrive tomorrow.
— What?! — Igor couldn’t believe his ears. — Over money?
— No, over the betrayal of trust, — Lera replied calmly. — You showed that you don’t consider me a partner.
Lera, on the other hand, continued her life calmly, managing her finances on her own. She did sell the apartment, but divided the money into three parts: one portion was invested in promising stocks, another was placed in a deposit, and the remaining sum was transferred to Igor.
— Why? — Igor asked, bewildered, when he saw the impressive sum in his account.
— Consider it an investment in your future financial education, — Lera replied. — And a parting gift. I hope you’ve learned your lesson.
The divorce proceeded quickly – there wasn’t much jointly acquired property, and there were no disputes over the division. Lera wanted to close that chapter of her life as soon as possible.
All that remained of Igor was a shadow of the man who once considered himself the smartest. Now, he had to deal with the consequences of his own irresponsibility, while Lera permanently stepped out of his life without looking back.
Six months later, Lera’s mother showed her a newspaper article. “Young Entrepreneur Declared Bankrupt” read the headline. The photo featured Igor, tired and aged.
— Don’t you feel any pity? — her mother asked.
Lera shook her head.
— No. We all make choices. He made his, and I made mine.
That same evening, Lera received an email from the realtor – a suitable option for purchase had been found. A spacious apartment in a new building, with a good layout, exactly the kind they had once dreamed of with Igor.
“Come take a look; I think you’ll like it,” the realtor wrote.
Lera smiled and replied in agreement. Now, she was in charge of her own life, and it turned out to be far easier than dragging along someone who didn’t value her as an equal partner.