Sasha went off on a beach vacation, leaving his pregnant wife, Lika, in the village with his mother—to work in the vegetable garden. And when he returned…
“Lika, come on, you know I need a break too,” he said, tossing his swim trunks and sunscreen into a bag.
“And what about me, Sasha?” Lika asked.
“I’m six months pregnant, and you’re sending me to your mom’s—so I can dig in the garden?!”
“Mom will help. The fresh air’ll do you good,” he replied, zipping up his suitcase.
Lika didn’t argue. She knew better. Once Sasha made up his mind, there was no changing it. He always put himself first.
“Bet you tired your husband out so much, he ran off for a break,” her mother-in-law muttered, handing Lika an old shovel.
“No, Aunt Nina, I agreed to this,” Lika answered silently.
The heat was merciless. The scent of dry earth clung to the air. Lika dug and weeded, her back aching, feet swelling. When she couldn’t bear it anymore, she’d rest at the edge of the bed and rub her belly gently.
“Hang in there, baby… not much longer…”
In the evenings, she’d overhear her mother-in-law gossiping with the neighbor.
“She’s lazy! Back in our day, women gave birth in the fields and got right back to work! Now look at her—acting like some queen!”
The Return
“Hey, Lika!” Sasha greeted her, brushing a quick kiss on her cheek, oblivious to how pale she looked, or how dim her eyes had become.
He kept going, unfazed.
“The beaches were amazing! Cocktails, shrimp… Next time, we’ll go together—”
Suddenly, Lika cut him off.
“Sasha. I’m leaving.”
“What?”
“I said: I’m leaving.”
He burst out laughing.
“You’re serious? Come on, Lika. Be real. You won’t last a week without me.”
For the first time in forever, she smiled.
“Well, Sasha… I guess we’ll see.”
She turned and walked away—feeling more free than she ever had in her life.
Freedom
Lika didn’t know exactly where she was headed. She had only a little money saved from the village. Her suitcase with baby clothes was still at the apartment, but she had no plans of going back.
Her friend Oksana didn’t hesitate.
“Lika, don’t even think twice! I’ve got a spare room. Stay as long as you want.”
That night, for the first time in months, Lika slept in peace.
Sasha Loses Control
For illustrative purpose only
At first, Sasha couldn’t believe it. He called, messaged, even showed up at Oksana’s door—but she never let him in.
“She’s not your servant anymore,” Oksana told him.
Still, he kept trying.
“Lika, I’m sorry,” he said when she finally picked up. “I was wrong. I’ll change. Come back—let’s fix this.”
Lika said nothing.
“I miss you… For the baby, Lika…”
She gripped the phone.
“Do you miss me—or are you just scared to be alone?”
Silence.
“I loved you,” he said quietly.
“And I loved myself less and less when I was with you,” she whispered. Then she hung up.
A New Life
The birth was hard—but the moment she held her son in her arms, she knew it had all been worth it.
Finding work wasn’t easy. But with Oksana’s help, and the quiet strength of true friends, Lika slowly built a new life.
Of course, Sasha came back again—with toys and promises.
“I’ve changed, Lika. I mean it…”
“You can see your son,” she said calmly. “But I’m not yours anymore.”
She closed the door—and smiled.