“One signature left — and she’ll be kicked out of the apartment!”” — the husband giggled into the phone to his mistress.
Valentina stood frozen by the slightly open balcony door, listening to her husband’s phone conversation. The hot July air barely stirred the light curtains, and Dmitry’s voice came clearly and carelessly from the kitchen.
“”One signature left — and she’ll be kicked out of the apartment!”” — the husband giggled into the phone. “”Can you imagine, Svetka, how easy it all is?””
Valentina felt her breath catch. What apartment was Dmitry talking about? And who was Svetka?
“”No, she’s a total fool,”” the husband continued. “”She’ll sign whatever I ask. The main thing is to present it right. Like, for tax benefits, for optimization…””
Valentina leaned against the wall, feeling her skin grow cold despite the summer heat. The three-room apartment in the city center had been inherited from her grandmother three years ago, before marriage. Six months ago, Dmitry persuaded his wife to give him power of attorney to manage the property. Supposedly, it would be more convenient to handle household matters if Valentina was at work or on a business trip. Back then, it seemed reasonable — trust between spouses should be complete.
“”Listen, what if she catches on?”” — the husband asked, apparently reacting to his conversation partner.
“”It’ll be too late to catch on!”” — Dmitry laughed. “”By then, the apartment will already be sold. And you and I will start a new life with that money.””
Valentina closed her eyes, trying to process what she had heard. Dmitry planned to deceive his own wife, lure her into signing some documents, and sell the apartment. Then run away with his mistress.
“”Don’t worry so much,”” the husband soothed his lover. “”Valya’s stupid, she won’t understand anything. I’ll say it’s for re-registration, she’ll sign. She trusts me completely.””
She did trust him. Three years ago, Valentina really trusted her husband without limits. Dmitry seemed reliable, decent. He worked at a construction company, earned well, was attentive and caring. Or skillfully pretended to be.
“”No, the documents are almost ready,”” Dmitry said. “”I’ll bring them home tomorrow, say they need to be signed urgently. Valya won’t even read them — she trusts me.””
Valentina quietly went to the bedroom so as not to reveal her presence. Her heart was pounding so loudly it seemed her husband could hear it even from the kitchen. She needed time to think and make a decision.
“”Alright, Svetik, see you tomorrow,”” Dmitry ended the call. “”Pack your bags. Soon we’ll be free and rich.””
Valentina heard her husband enter the bathroom. She quickly lay down on the bed, pretending to doze. A few minutes later, Dmitry peeked into the bedroom.
“”Val, are you asleep?”” he asked quietly.
Valentina mumbled something indistinct without opening her eyes. Dmitry nodded satisfied and went to the living room to turn on the TV.
Valentina did not sleep all night, thinking over what she had heard. The picture was unflattering. Her husband had taken a mistress, was planning to sell the apartment and run away. And his wife was just an obstacle to deceive.
In the morning, Dmitry was overly affectionate. He made breakfast, kissed his wife on the cheek, asked about her plans for the day.
“”Valyush, I have a complicated paperwork day today,”” the husband said, finishing his coffee. “”Maybe I’ll bring something home to sign. The tax office requires re-registration of all deals.””
“”What re-registration?”” Valentina asked cautiously.
“”Just a formality,”” Dmitry waved his hand. “”New rules introduced. All property owners need to update their papers.””
Valentina nodded, pretending to believe the explanation. But inwardly she noted: the deception had begun. Dmitry was preparing the ground for his plan.
At work, Valentina could barely focus. Her thoughts kept returning to yesterday’s conversation. How long had her husband been having an affair? When did he get a mistress? And most importantly — how long had this deception been planned?
In the evening, Dmitry came home with a folder of documents. His face showed businesslike concern, but his eyes gleamed with anticipation.
“”Val, these papers need to be signed,”” Dmitry said, spreading the sheets on the table. “”They require it urgently. By tomorrow.””
Valentina approached the table, examining the documents carefully. The handwriting was unfamiliar, the stamps blurry. It was obvious — a forgery.
“”What organization is this?”” Valentina asked, pointing to the form.
“”The tax inspection,”” the husband replied without blinking. “”They created a new department for real estate.””
Valentina took one of the sheets in her hands, pretending to read carefully. In reality, she was buying time, thinking about her next moves.
“”Dima, why so urgent?”” the wife asked. “”Usually, they give time to review the documents.””
“”There’s a reform,”” Dmitry explained. “”Whoever doesn’t manage before the end of the month will have to pay fines.””
Valentina put the papers aside.
“”You know, let me sign tomorrow morning,”” she suggested. “”I want to read carefully. Maybe I’ll miss something important.””
Dmitry’s face darkened slightly.
“”Val, there’s nothing to read. It’s a standard procedure. The sooner you sign, the sooner they leave you alone.””
“”I still want to understand,”” Valentina insisted. “”It’s my apartment after all.””
“”Our apartment,”” the husband corrected. “”We’re family.””
Family. Valentina barely restrained a bitter smile. What kind of family was it when her husband planned to rob his wife and run away with a mistress?
“”Alright,”” Dmitry agreed after a pause. “”But be sure to sign tomorrow morning. Time doesn’t wait.””
All night Valentina studied the documents. She had no legal education, but some points seemed suspicious. Strange wording, unusual demands, dubious stamps.
In the morning, while Dmitry was in the shower, Valentina photographed the documents on her phone and sent them to her friend Oksana. She worked at a law firm and could consult.
“”Val, did you sign?”” Dmitry asked, coming out of the bathroom.
“”Not yet,”” Valentina answered. “”I want to call the tax office first, clarify the details.””
Dmitry froze with a towel in his hands.
“”Why call? It’s all clearly written.””
“”For my own peace of mind,”” the wife explained. “”These are serious documents about property. Better to be safe.””
“”But they’re urgent!”” the husband objected. “”Today’s the last day!””
“”Then I’ll go to the tax office myself,”” Valentina suggested. “”I’ll sign right there, in front of the employees.””
Dmitry’s face turned pale.
“”Val, don’t make it complicated. Sign at home, I’ll deliver the documents myself.””
“”Why don’t you want me to go to the tax office?”” Valentina asked directly.
“”It’s not about that,”” Dmitry faltered. “”Just no time to stand in queues.””
At that moment Valentina’s phone rang. It was Oksana.
“”Val,”” her friend’s worried voice sounded loudly, “”these documents are fake! No tax office uses such forms!””
Valentina looked at her husband. Dmitry turned even paler, realizing his deception was uncovered.
“”What does she say?”” the husband asked, trying to stay calm.
“”She says the documents are forged,”” Valentina answered calmly.
Dmitry tried to fake surprise.
“”That can’t be! They gave them to me at the office, said it was from the tax office.””
“”What office?”” the wife clarified. “”At your construction company?””
“”Well… not exactly…”” Dmitry hesitated. “”A friend gave them to me, he has connections.””
Valentina put down the phone and looked carefully at her husband.
“”Dima, let’s be honest. What are these documents?…””
Continued in the comments ” Ẩn bớt