My Husband Left Me for Masha, Then Asked for a Second Chance – I Said No

25October2025

Today I finally wrote down the whole absurdity that has been my life for the past few months. It still feels like a bad dream, but the ink forces the memories into something concrete.

Andrew left to see Emily, then asked for another chance I said no, I wrote on the first line, and the words still taste bitter. I tried to comfort myself, asking, What do you want, Andrew? He fumbled, Its just you cant control how you feel. Its like breathingyou cant stop it whenever you wish. I answered, my voice strangely cold, Exactly I cant.

It all began three weeks ago. Andrew suddenly started buying new shirtsexpensive, flimsy ones that would never survive a decent wash. He signed up at a health club, even though for the past five years his most vigorous exercise was a sprint from the sofa to the fridge. Strangest of all, his jealousy vanished.

Before, if I stayed an extra halfhour at work, his calls would start raining in: Where are you? Who are you with? When will you be back? Now there was nothing.

One night I came home from the office party at midnight. He mumbled something incoherent, turned his back to the wall, and fell asleep. At first I was relievedmaybe hed finally grown up, like a proper adult, no longer the clingy boy Id married. I even bragged to a friend: Can you believe it? Hes turned over a new leaf at fortythree. Hes focusing on his health and has stopped being possessive. She gave me a strange look but said nothing. Perhaps if Id talked to her sooner Id have seen the signs earlier.

I tried to be optimistic, convincing myself this was just a midlife crisis, a desire to feel young again. I smiled when he did planks and pushups each morning.

Then I found a receipt in the pocket of his jacketa café receipt for two cappuccinos and two slices of cheesecake, dated Tuesday, threepm. Tuesday, I thought. Thats the day he claimed hed be in meetings all day, even too busy to have lunch. My heart tightened, but I pushed the feeling aside. Maybe he was just having coffee with a colleague or a client. It happens, right?

Later there were more receipts, and a business card from a hair salonnot the one hed been going to for fifteen years, but a trendy place in the city centre. And a faint perfume lingered on his coat. I wondered, do men really think their wives, who have shared a marriage for decades, wont notice a foreign scent?

He tried to explain: Its a new client. Shes a sharp businesswomanstarted a perfume boutique from scratch. She gave me some samples. I believed him, because I wanted to. Eighteen years of marriage isnt a joke; its a whole life. Our daughter is grown, studying at university in another city. We bought our flat, built a cottage. His mother, before she passed, kissed my hands and thanked me for loving her son and making him happy.

Happy

The turning point came on a Saturday morning. Andrew was in the shower; his phone lay on the nightstand. The screen flashed Emily P. Emilyhis first love, the girl hed once believed in forever. Twenty years had passed since she chose someone else and vanished from his world. I, naïve as ever, thought that chapter was closed.

I didnt answer. I just watched the screen blink seven times, then a text appeared: Ill be waiting where we left off. Everything fell into place: the new shirts, the gym, the perfume, the café at three.

Shes back, isnt she? I asked, surprised by my own calm. Emily, your old flame?

Andrews face went pale, as if caught redhanded, though there was nothing to catch. He stammered, Iralisten If you think I cut him off with a soft laugh. What am I thinking? That my husbands ex is calling him? That hes buying new shirts and hitting the gym? That hes sipping coffee at a café while supposedly in meetings?

We just ran into each other by chance Shes divorced, back in town. We just talked I interrupted, Andrew, stop. Were adults. Be honestdo you still love her?

He fell silent. Seconds stretched, and in that silence I heard everything I needed.

I tried, he finally exhaled. Ira, I swear I tried. I thought it would pass. I thought Id love you again. Youre proper, good And she

And she was your first love, I finished for him. Your one and only. Im just the spare tyre, a consolation prize Got it.

He said nothing.

So, I said, lets get a divorce, shall we?

He shivered again. Ira, wait, dont be so quick Maybe we could try?

Try what? I snapped. Pretend nothing happened? Pretend you dont meet her? Pretend you dont think of her when you lie next to me? No, thank you. Go to her.

He gave me a long, bewildered stare. Perhaps he truly didnt recognise me any more. I had always been the compliant, easygoing wifenever a storm, never a scene. Golden wife, his mother used to call me. Yes, thats how it sounded. But he didnt want gold; he wanted the first spark that drove him mad.

Thank you, he whispered suddenly. Thank you for understanding.

We signed the papers quickly, without a scene. We left the flat to our daughter, who is about to be married. I moved back into my mothers old twobedroom house. Andrew moved in with Emily.

Three months have passed. Ive started to pick myself up. Ive got a new job, a hobby that keeps my hands busy, and I go with a friend to the theatre and exhibitions.

Then Andrew called.

Ira, hi his voice sounded lost. Can I come over? I need to talk.

I agreed, and about twenty minutes later he arrived, holding a bouquet of white chrysanthemumsmy favourite.

I was a fool, he said, handing them over. A total fool. Forgive me. I realised she isnt who I remembered. Or maybe Im not who she knew Were strangers now. As for you

What about me? I asked with a smile.

Well, I just realised I miss you. I miss your calm, your care, the way you laugh at my terrible jokes, the way you brew coffee each morning

Andrew, I interjected, are you alright?

Ira! he pleaded. Give me another chance! I finally understand that youre my real happiness, not a ghost of the past.

I looked at him and thought how easy it would be to say yeslet him back in, pretend nothing happened, return to the life we once knew. To forgive and move on.

But I no longer wanted to be anyones consolation prize, a safety net for a man who could disappear whenever life got tough. I didnt want to lie awake wondering if another phantom from his past would call, reminding him of his twentyyearold self.

No, Andrew, I whispered softly, Im sorry, but no. You made your choice back then, and Ill stick to mine.