That one sentence shattered my world. How could I have been so blind? I trusted him completely, believing our relationship was built on love and mutual respect. But now, looking back, it seems I was just naive—too willing to see the good in people. I always thought betrayal happened to others, never imagining it could happen to me.
Until recently, Kolya and I lived in the apartment my parents gifted me before our wedding. It was cozy and close to the city center—perfect for us, or so I thought. Kolya, however, kept saying it wasn’t enough, that one day we’d move to a bigger place or even build a house. He painted beautiful pictures of our future together, convincing me that this was just a temporary stop. But now I see it was all empty promises. He never actually intended to work toward those dreams. For him, my apartment was the ultimate prize, and he had no intention of striving for anything more.
I thought everything was fine between us. We rarely argued and always seemed in sync, sharing our thoughts and supporting each other. Or so I believed. Kolya had a way of making me feel like I was the center of his world. He was attentive and charming, fulfilling my every wish before I even voiced it. My friends envied our relationship. Their husbands didn’t spend nearly as much time with them as Kolya did with me. We went on dates, visited parks, saw movies—it was as though we were teenagers in love. I thought we had something special.
But now I realize it was all an act. Kolya played his role perfectly, making sure I was content so he could execute his plan without suspicion. It chills me to think about how calculated his actions were, how he pretended to care while secretly scheming behind my back.
The first sign something was wrong came when I found a comb in our apartment. It wasn’t mine—of that, I was certain. At first, I didn’t want to believe it. Kolya had always seemed so devoted, so in love. But the evidence was there, staring me in the face. Still, I kept quiet, hoping I was mistaken.
Then, a few days later, I found a long black hair on the sofa. That was the breaking point. I couldn’t ignore the signs anymore. I needed answers. But instead of confronting Kolya, I decided to gather proof. I installed hidden cameras and waited.
For days, I reviewed the footage and found nothing suspicious. I was beginning to doubt myself, thinking maybe I had overreacted. But then, one day, I finally saw something. Instead of a young woman, as I’d feared, I saw an older woman entering our apartment. At first, I felt relieved—until I recognized her. It was my mother-in-law.
I assumed she was just visiting, but as I listened to their conversation (I’d also installed audio devices), my relief turned to horror.
«I’ll send my wife on vacation, then sell her apartment—I’ve already found buyers,» Kolya told her.
I rewound the recording multiple times, hoping I’d misheard. But there it was. My husband, the man who swore he loved me, was plotting to sell the home my parents had given me. And my mother-in-law? She was thrilled with the idea, encouraging him like it was the most natural thing in the world.
I was furious. How long had they been planning this? Was our entire relationship a scam? I had to act fast. Kolya was already preparing to send me on a two-week vacation to the seaside, something he’d never done before. He booked a luxurious hotel, paid for everything, and insisted I needed the break. At the time, I played along, pretending I was none the wiser.
In the days leading up to my supposed departure, Kolya was more attentive than ever, showering me with affection. Even my mother-in-law started behaving unusually kind, bringing over pies and complimenting me. It was all so fake, and yet they thought I couldn’t see through it.
The moment Kolya left for work one morning, I changed the locks. I wasn’t about to let him get away with his scheme. When he came home and found himself locked out, he was stunned. He knocked and called my name, demanding an explanation. I didn’t hold back. I told him I knew everything—that I’d heard his plan to sell my apartment. He tried to deny it, claiming it was all a misunderstanding, but I wasn’t buying it.
He pleaded and begged, but I refused to let him in. Instead, I turned up the music, grabbed some ice cream, and enjoyed a peaceful evening on the balcony. When I finally came back inside, Kolya was still at the door, his voice hoarse from shouting.
I didn’t feel sorry for him. He’d brought this on himself. A few days later, I started the legal process to ensure he couldn’t claim anything from me. Once everything was finalized, I felt a weight lift off my shoulders. For the first time in a long while, I felt truly free.
I decided to take that seaside vacation after all. Kolya had been right about one thing—I needed a break. The sun, the waves, and the salty air were exactly what I needed to heal and move on.
As for Kolya, I don’t know what became of him, and I don’t care. I’ve learned my lesson. From now on, I’ll be more cautious. I won’t share personal details with anyone too soon, and I’ll guard my heart as well as my home.
Still, I believe there are good people out there. I hope to find someone who loves me for who I am, not for what I have. Until then, I’ll focus on myself and make decisions that prioritize my happiness and security. No more doubts, no more deception—I’m taking control of my life.