The argument, the final one, was the fuse. It started, like always, with money, or more accurately, the lack thereof. Marcus was talking yet again about his century project, the sprawling lake house he was building. It wasn’t meant to be just a vacation home. It was supposed to be a mansion, a palace designed to impress his superiors and the right people at the city council. That house had already sucked up every dime of our savings.
Then came the credit cards and personal loans. Now, it turned out, we had a new set of immediate debts. «Naomi, I need another $75,000,» he tossed out that morning, not even looking up from his plate of scrambled eggs.
He spoke about the sum as if he were asking me to pass the salt. I froze, coffee mug in hand. «Marcus, where are we going to get it? We already owe the bank nearly a quarter of a million dollars. My salary as an administrator at the regional manufacturing hub barely covers the interest payments and groceries.»
He finally looked at me. His gaze was cold, as if I wasn’t his wife, but an irritating distraction. «I’m not asking where we’re going to get it. I’m telling you, I already finalized the details with the contractors. I need the money by the end of the day.»
«Finalized?» The word rang metallic in my voice. «You finalized this without consulting me? Again, Marcus? This house is going to ruin us. It’s a bottomless pit.»
«This house is our future!» He slammed his hand on the table, making the silverware rattle. «You don’t understand that, because your mind works like a payroll clerk at the plant. I’m building a career. I need to be seen. I need respect. When the state senator comes to visit, he needs to see a certain level, not your little vegetable garden.»
«My little vegetable garden, at least, feeds us,» I snapped back. It was the wrong thing to say. Marcus jumped up, his face twisted with rage.
«I am sick of your complaining, sick of your pettiness. You are dragging me down. I’ll handle this myself. Get dressed. We’re leaving.»
«Leaving? Where?» I asked, bewildered. «To meet with someone at his office. We need to sign some papers. I’ll explain on the way, but don’t bring anything.»
He scanned me critically. «Leave your purse and your phone. This is a confidential discussion.» His tone allowed for no arguments.
I had grown used to obeying him. Over the years of our marriage, he had systematically chipped away at my will, convincing me that I understood nothing about serious business, that my place was at home while he climbed the ladder of success. I nodded silently, grabbed a light jacket, and followed him to the car.
We drove in silence. The city fell behind, replaced by dreary suburban strip malls and desolate roads. I tried several times to ask where we were going and what papers he meant, but Marcus just waved me off.
His profile was taut as a wire. After about 30 minutes, he suddenly veered off the highway onto a narrow, poorly paved road that led toward some rural vacation homes. The car went another 500 yards and stopped next to a dilapidated bus shelter.
There was no one around, just empty fields and a distant line of trees. «Get out,» he said curtly. «Why?» I didn’t understand.
«Get out, I said. We’re here.» I obediently opened the door and stepped onto the shoulder. The wind immediately whipped my hair around.
I turned, expecting him to get out too. But Marcus didn’t even turn off the engine. He just stared at me through the windshield.
«Marcus, what’s going on? Where is this person?» He smiled, a cruel, unfamiliar smile. «There is no person, Naomi. There’s only you and your problem with money. You didn’t want to help, so figure out your problems on your own.»
The realization dawned on me slowly, chillingly. «What do you mean?» «I mean I’m leaving you, and your debts, and your constant whining. I’m starting a new life, and you can start yours right here.»
With those words, he floored the gas. The car sped away, kicking up a cloud of dust. I stood frozen in the middle of the road, utterly alone.
I couldn’t believe it. This couldn’t be happening. It was a stupid, cruel joke.
He would turn around and come back, laughing. But the car didn’t turn around. It shrank into a speck and vanished around the bend.
The silence that followed was deafening. I mechanically shoved my hands into my jacket pockets. Empty. No wallet, no phone.
He had taken everything. A panicked thought flashed in my mind. Eighteen miles to the city, on foot.
How long would that take? Six hours? Seven? I’d arrive well after dark.
Despair rose in my throat like an icy wave. I slumped onto the shaky wooden bench under the rusted metal roof of the shelter. Tears streamed from my eyes.
How could he? After 15 years of marriage, just toss me out of the car on the side of the highway like a piece of garbage? I didn’t immediately notice that I wasn’t alone.
In the darkest corner, huddled in a ball, sat an elderly woman. She wore an old but well-made coat, and her eyes were hidden by large, dark sunglasses. The kind blind people wear.
Her head was bowed. She seemed to be sleeping. I nearly jumped at the surprise.
I sat there for probably 20 minutes, trying to stop shaking and figure out what to do. A few cars sped past, paying me no attention. I tried to lift my hand to flag one down, but the drivers only accelerated.
No one wanted to stop for a lone woman on a desolate road. The sun began to dip toward the horizon. It was getting chilly, and suddenly the old woman stirred.
She lifted her head, and without turning toward me, spoke in a dry, rasping voice, «Stop crying. Tears won’t help your troubles.» I jumped and stared at her.
«Husband dumped you?» the old woman asked indifferently. I only managed a choked sob in reply. «I see,» she nodded.
«They’re all the same. First, they’re your rock and protection, and then it’s a knife in the back.» She paused, tapping the concrete floor with the tip of a thin cane I hadn’t noticed before.
«Want to make him regret it today?» I looked at her incredulously. What could this poor, blind old woman offer?
«How?» The woman slowly turned her head in my direction. The lenses of her glasses were completely black.
«My personal driver is coming for me now. Pretend you’re my granddaughter. You’ll get in the car and we’ll leave, and your husband will regret leaving you next to the wealthiest woman in this city.»
My breath hitched. It sounded like nonsense. «What wealthy woman? What granddaughter?»
The old woman seemed to read my mind. «You have a choice. You can sit here and wait for the night, or you can get into a warm car and change your life. Decide.»
At that very moment, a long, black luxury sedan appeared around the bend. It moved slowly, silently, like a predator. The car gently braked right at the shelter.
I recognized the make and couldn’t believe my eyes. I’d only seen cars like that in movies about tycoons. A man in a sharp suit and gloves got out.
He walked around the car and opened the rear door. «Ms. Vance, we are ready to depart,» he said with the deepest respect. «Ms. Vance,» the old woman, she slowly rose, leaning on her cane.
«Darius, wait. My granddaughter is riding with us today.» The driver, without a flicker of surprise, simply nodded and looked at me.
His gaze was completely neutral. He was waiting. I didn’t have time to think.
The fear of the unknown was strong, but the fear of staying here, in the dark, on this cursed road, was stronger. I stood up and, as if in a dream, walked toward the car. The driver held the door for me.
I slid onto the soft leather seat. The interior smelled of expensive leather and something else, subtly calm and authoritative. The old woman sat beside me.
The door closed soundlessly, sealing me off from the wind, the dust, and my former life. The car pulled away so smoothly, I barely felt it. We drove in complete silence.
Fields and small woods sped past the window. I had no idea where I was being taken. I expected to see a luxurious mansion in the city center, but the car turned onto a different road than another, and soon we were in front of a towering solid fence with no windows.
The gates silently parted, and we drove onto the property. It wasn’t just a house, it was a fortress, a massive home of dark brick, surveillance cameras on every corner, a perfectly manicured lawn, and not a single flower. No cozy feeling, only security and functionality.
