— Olivia, let’s talk, — said Alex, without lifting his eyes. His voice sounded muffled, as if he didn’t believe himself. — I’m in love with someone else, forgive me.
She stood at the sink. The cup squeaked under the sponge in her hands. For a few seconds, Olivia was silent, then she slowly rinsed the dishes, carefully placed the cup in the drainer, and wiped her hands with a waffle towel.
Her movements were measured, almost meditative, and only then, without any tension, she turned to him. — Okay, if you’re in love, go.
No tears, no drama, just simple words, as if it wasn’t the collapse of a life, but an ordinary household conversation.
— I… I didn’t want to hurt you, — he muttered, looking guiltily at her face, as if seeing for the first time how much fatigue was in it.
— Then don’t hurt me, just leave with dignity.
Her voice was calm, even too calm, without hesitation, without strain, and he felt everything inside him contract, not from guilt, but from shame, as if his soul had been scooped out with a spoon, and it became scary to look inside.
She approached the table, poured herself strong tea into a large ceramic mug with a chipped edge, and sat opposite him, not looking at him.
— We’ve been together for so many years, — she said, without raising her voice. — Our son has grown up, we built the house, we did everything together, you worked, I supported you, there were difficulties, joys, it wasn’t all for nothing.
He was silent, with his shoulders slumped.
— You can take the house, I don’t need anything, — she said finally, except for one thing.
She took a sip of tea, placed the mug on the coaster, and continued, looking him straight in the eyes.
— Mom’s birthday is in a month, seventy years, she loves you like her own, I don’t want her to know about the divorce. Give me one gift, stay with me this month, without scenes, without coldness, just like family. Smile at the table, bring her her favorite donuts, help with the coffee maker, and then go, I won’t hold you, just don’t ruin her celebration…
Alex nodded; he hadn’t expected such a reaction. He had approached this conversation like an execution, prepared for tears, screams, throwing cups, but received silence, peace, and a request, the last one, but so human that it became unbearably heavy.
— You’ve already decided everything, right? — she asked quietly….
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