Without warning her husband, Anna unexpectedly arrived at the cabin. But as soon as she entered the house, she felt like she was about to faint from what she saw….

From the outside, everything remained the same. But only Anna knew what was going on in her soul. Anna loved Max.

It was probably love at first sight. Well, maybe not love right away, but at least strong attraction. Seeing Max for the first time, Anna felt drawn to this person she didn’t know at all.

And the guy didn’t disappoint. After getting to know him, the girl realized that Max was simply amazing. Sensitive, caring, attentive, kind, and endlessly talented.

Anna trusted him. Always trusted him. She believed in Max more than in herself.

And he never let her down. Not once. Well, at least that’s what Anna thought until recently.

When did everything change? Where did they take a wrong turn? It’s hard to say now. It happened unnoticed, gradually, day by day. In the whirlwind of endless tasks and cares, Anna didn’t notice the changes right away.

Business trips. It all started with them. Or no, even earlier.

The work trips became more frequent later. First, Max became somewhat absent-minded. Anna saw that something was occupying his thoughts.

Something apparently very interesting, even inspiring. Max often pondered something. A mysterious smile played on his lips at those times.

Well, who pays attention to such details after eight years of marriage? Everyday worries, routine—it all dulls vigilance somehow. Max remained the same loving and caring husband and father. He walked a lot with Matthew, didn’t shy away from household chores, worked.

It was Max’s salary that made up the bulk of their family budget. He was the breadwinner, the protector, the reliable wall. Anna was used to this, as her husband had shown himself responsible and decisive from the beginning.

You wouldn’t perish with such a man. Anna knew that Max loved her, still loved her. Sometimes he looked at her in a way that warmed her heart immediately.

And he constantly gave compliments, bought gifts, often without any occasion, and took care of her. Anna, of course, understood perfectly how lucky she was. She had seen enough of her friends’ and acquaintances’ husbands.

Many of these family men were somehow convinced that all household duties and chores should be carried by the wife. Some drank, some cheated, some methodically nagged their second halves. When women irritably shared about their spouses, Anna couldn’t even join such conversations and felt happy because of it.

Max, beloved, friend, wall, support, and hope. All at once. They shared everything with each other, absolutely everything.

And both were sure that the other half would understand, support, approve. Anna was used to living like that. She rightly believed that she had a share in such relationships.

Both she and Max were great. «But there are no such ideal husbands,» shook her head Veronica, Anna’s friend and colleague. They often spent breaks between lessons in the school cafeteria and discussed everything under the sun.

Veronica was an interesting person, erudite, cheerful, energetic woman. It was enjoyable to spend time with her. Only, her friend had long ago and forever become disillusioned with men…