I decided to support my husband in a special way. Every week, he visited his parents’ house…

She decided she wouldn’t make a scene, wouldn’t scream or accuse. She would try to stay calm and listen to Igor. She needed to understand what had happened before making any decisions.

The drive home felt endless. Anna drove in silence, lost in her thoughts. She tried to imagine how their conversation would go.

What would Igor say? What would she say? She knew it would be the hardest conversation of her life. But in the end, Anna chose a different approach. A few days later, she returned to the village, not as a betrayed wife, but as a casual acquaintance, an anthropologist studying a strange tribe called Family.

She mustered the strength to concoct a story. She was supposedly interested in local architecture and old houses. It was silly, absurd, but it was something.

This time, she didn’t hide. She parked by the roadside, took a deep breath, and walked toward the house. Her heart pounded so loudly it seemed the whole street could hear it.

At the gate stood the woman, Elena, the one she’d seen with Igor. Hello, Anna said quietly, trying to keep her voice steady. I heard you have a very interesting house.

Elena looked at her closely. There was no hostility or surprise in her gaze, only a quiet weariness. Come in, she said, opening the gate.

I’m Elena. Anna gave a fake name, Irina. They entered the house.

It was clean and simple inside, smelling of freshly baked bread and baby formula. In the corner, a boy was playing. Sasha, this is Sasha, Elena introduced.

The boy looked at Anna with curiosity but didn’t approach. Nice to meet you, Anna said, trying not to stare at him too intently. They sat at the kitchen table.

Elena offered tea and Anna accepted. In the silence, as Elena poured boiling water, Anna studied her. Nothing extraordinary.

An ordinary woman, tired but with kind eyes. Not a femme fatale, not a homewrecker, just a mother. Have you lived here long? Anna asked, trying to keep the conversation going.

A couple of years, Elena replied, and Igor, he comes often. What? How do you know? Elena set the cups on the table. He comes every Sunday, helps with chores.

He helps me and Sasha. Anna felt a lump in her throat. I saw you with him a few days ago.

I’m his wife. Elena was silent, looking at Anna with a strange understanding. I see, she said finally.

Igor didn’t tell you? Number I had no idea. Silence fell. The only sound was the ticking of the clock on the wall.

Anna felt like she was at an exam where the question had been asked, and her entire future depended on the answer. Why? Anna asked, breaking the silence. Why didn’t he tell me? You’d have to ask him, Elena replied, but I think he was afraid, afraid of losing you.

And you? Do you love him? Elena gave a sad smile. I loved him once, deeply, but that was a long time ago. Now we just share responsibility for Sasha, nothing more.

Igor comes as a father, as a friend, but not as a man. There’s nothing between us anymore. Anna wasn’t sure whether to believe her, but Elena’s voice carried such sincerity that doubt seemed unwarranted.

And he, he loves Sasha more than life itself, Elena added, looking at her son. He’s a wonderful father, always caring for him, helping. Sasha adores him…