— I want them to know the truth. Let them draw their own conclusions.
She left the apartment, slamming the door. The street was fresh, the autumn morning breathed coolness. Anna took out her phone and called Olga.
— Good morning. I’m ready to file for divorce. When can we meet?
— Come to the office at ten. I’ll prepare all the documents.
Anna spent more than two hours at Olga’s office. They filled out the divorce petition and the application for the division of property. Olga explained that the apartment would be divided equally, as it was purchased during the marriage and was jointly acquired property.
— But, considering he tried to deceive you, the court may take that into account. Plus the criminal case that will be brought against him. That will work in your favor.
— How long will the divorce take?
— If he agrees, then a month or two. If he starts to argue, to drag it out, maybe half a year. But the facts are on your side, so I don’t think he’ll put up much of a fight.
From Olga’s office, they went to the court and filed the lawsuit. Then they returned to the police station, where an investigator had already begun the inquiry based on Anna’s report. She was asked to give a detailed statement, to recount everything that had happened.
— We will order a signature examination, — said the investigator, a major in his forties with a shrewd gaze. — If it’s confirmed that the signature is forged, we will open a criminal case under the article “Fraud and Forgery of Documents.” Your husband could face up to two years in prison or a large fine.
Anna nodded. She felt no joy at the thought of Igor going to prison. But she felt that justice must be served. He had to be punished for what he did.
The next few days were spent running around to various authorities. Anna took unpaid leave from work; Marina Sergeevna was understanding.
— Anna Petrovna, you sort out your affairs. The job isn’t going anywhere. Health and family are more important.
— There’s no family anymore, — Anna said quietly. — But thank you for your understanding.
Igor tried to talk to her several times, calling, sending messages. She didn’t answer. Once he caught her at the entrance to the building and grabbed her arm.
— Anya, I understand everything. But let’s at least part ways like human beings. Without courts, without police. I’ll give you everything you want. Just withdraw the police report.
— No.
— Anya, they could put me in jail.
— You should have thought about that earlier. When you were forging my signature. When you were planning to steal my home from me.
She pulled her arm away and left. He didn’t try to stop her again. A week later, the results of the examination came back. The signature on the power of attorney was confirmed as a forgery. A criminal case was opened against Igor. He was summoned for questioning, then released on his own recognizance.
Anna learned about this from the investigator. She sat in his office, listening as he explained the next steps.
— The case has been sent to court. The hearing will be scheduled in a month or a month and a half. Considering no actual damage was done, the deal didn’t go through, the punishment won’t be too severe. Most likely a fine or a suspended sentence.
— I don’t need him to be jailed, — Anna said. — I just want him to understand that you can’t do things like this. That you can’t deceive people, betray those who trust you.
— He understands, — the investigator chuckled. — Believe me, when a person sits in this chair giving a statement, they understand a lot.
In parallel, the divorce proceedings were underway. Igor agreed to the divorce without objection, and agreed to the division of property. They decided to sell the apartment and split the money. Anna agreed: she could no longer live in this apartment, where 20 years of deceit had passed.
Her daughter Katya came to visit when she heard about the divorce. Anna told her everything. Katya cried and hugged her mother.
— Mom, I didn’t know Dad was like that. I always thought you two were fine. I mean, it was clear the love was gone, but at least respect…
— I thought so too. Until this happened.
— What will you do now? Move on with your life? Keep working?
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