“She’s sitting on my neck, I’d kick her out, but pity, she’ll perish!” The husband was saying..

It’s commonly believed that women boast much more often than men. For example, they tell their friends about their generous boyfriend, smart kids, and well-arranged life. However, Olivia had learned from her own experience that men—the so-called stronger half of humanity—also love to show off in front of others, sometimes exaggerating their achievements several times over.

Her husband Travis was a prime example of that. His boasting was noticeable even during the courtship stage. Well, Olivia took it as a character quirk she was willing to tolerate back then.

After marriage, she realized his boasting sometimes crossed all boundaries. Travis could tell friends and acquaintances such tall tales about himself that his wife didn’t know how to react. One time, he was the only one in the team to get a bonus five times his salary.

Another time, he spent two weeks vacationing in a luxury hotel in Hawaii. Or he inherited a mansion by the ocean. Olivia, listening to her husband’s stories, quietly laughed to herself.

She knew that Hawaii was actually 25 miles from their city, at his mother’s cabin. That’s where, on a small plot with a one-story house and outdoor facilities, they spent their summer vacation. His wife usually didn’t interrupt Travis when he started boasting in front of relatives or friends.

Only if he really went overboard and spouted complete nonsense did Olivia discreetly signal him to stop. Overall, she considered this flaw in her spouse fairly harmless. Well, the guy was entertaining himself—what could you do?

Olivia and Travis’s wedding happened four years ago. By then, both had already been married and divorced. As they say, life begins after forty.

Olivia and Travis found each other in their forties. They had such warm and trusting relationships that young couples could envy them. Their romance developed rapidly.

Just six months after meeting, Travis proposed to Olivia in a grand setting. And two months later, they tied the knot. The first year of married life felt like an endless honeymoon.

Olivia and Travis spent a lot of time together. They got along so well that they hardly argued, except over trifles. However, the first serious challenge didn’t take long to arrive.

It so happened that Olivia lost her job. The company she worked for declared bankruptcy. Upon learning that his wife was unemployed, Travis got a bit down.

“So now I’m the only breadwinner in the house?” he asked in a dissatisfied tone. “We can’t live large on my salary alone. And what do we do? I doubt I can hustle for both of us.”

“I’ll definitely find a job,” his wife assured him passionately. “In Chicago, there are all kinds of vacancies now, and tech skills are always in demand everywhere.” “Yeah, you believe those tales.”

“Anyone can work. Yeah, right. The reality is that employers, seeing a candidate over forty-five, do everything possible and impossible to reject them.”

“You’re turning forty-five soon, and your chances for a good spot are fading fast.” “Travis, you’re dramatizing too much. Yes, I lost my job, but I’m determined to find a new one.”

“Maybe not on the first day of searching, but the odds are high.” Her husband just shrugged. Soon Olivia realized there was some truth in Travis’s words.

The employers she was interested in didn’t directly state in the ads that they wouldn’t consider applicants over forty-five. However, after what seemed like successful interviews, no one called Olivia back, and she had to start the whole marathon over. From morning to evening, she ran to job fairs and various interviews, studied websites, and sent resumes to new companies.

Of course, there were employers ready to hire her tomorrow, but their demands were so high and salaries so low that such employment was out of the question. Since Olivia spent her days job hunting, she couldn’t keep up with the house as before. If she used to vacuum the carpets and mop the floors at least three times a week, now she limited herself to light cleaning on weekends…

She also couldn’t cook fresh meals and delicacies for Travis every day, which upset him greatly. Her husband even started getting angry and voicing complaints to Olivia. “Why is the apartment such a mess?” he raised his voice at his wife.

“Look, dust in the corners. Our home has turned into a dump. I slave away at work, and what is my wife doing meanwhile? Olivia, are you sleeping all day? So tired from work that you can’t rest now? Time to wake up, hello!”

“Travis, you know I’m on my feet all day looking for a job,” Olivia defended herself. “I just got back from another interview. And you know what, I feel like this time luck will smile on me. You’ll see.”

“You say that every time!” “This time it’ll be different, I assure you,” his wife said in a conciliatory tone. “I’ll quickly tidy up now and we’ll have dinner.” “Have dinner with what? Again? Store-bought dumplings?” Travis still grumbled.

“I can fry some cutlets no problem.” “Olivia, are you mocking me?” Travis roared. “They’re store-bought too, and I want normal, homemade food, not semi-prepared stuff made who knows when.”

“There’s nothing but chemicals in them.” Olivia just shrugged, and her husband continued. “Stop running around the city; you’ve neglected the household, and there’s no result.”

“Better take care of the apartment; you won’t find a normal job anyway, at least do your duties properly.” Olivia then wondered if her husband was right; maybe it was better for her to stay home, so at least the apartment would be in perfect order. In the end, she stopped trying to find a decent job, hoping it would save their family boat from the approaching storm.

How wrong she was. Big changes happened with Travis. Previously calm and composed, he turned into a real domestic tyrant.

He reproached his wife over the slightest thing, whether it was a late lunch or dust on the dresser. The husband himself apparently considered himself, if not a god, then a ruler and benefactor. Like, what a klutz and lazybones he married, how much good he did for her.

She’s ungrateful, sitting on his neck with her feet dangling. Gradually, reproaches became the norm for the family. “Ugh, did you oversalt the soup!” Travis almost squealed, bringing a spoon of freshly cooked stew to his mouth.

“This is impossible to eat!” And the plate flew mercilessly into the trash. “I tasted the stew; it’s tasty,” his wife said in confusion. “I cooked it for three hours.”

“Then cook it again!” Travis yelled, “so there’s a normal lunch in half an hour.” “How much food are you wasting? At least be ashamed!” “I don’t have a printing press!” “You need to be more economical!” “Stop squandering the family budget!”

Olivia tried to hold on. She endured Travis’s reproaches stoically, most of which, in her opinion, were made up out of thin air. And she hoped her husband would turn back into the old Travis she fell in love with and married.

But his character only worsened. Perhaps Olivia would have been glad to move out from him. But she had no housing of her own, nor any savings stash.

It turned out she became financially dependent on her husband. Travis knew this and increased the attacks every day. If before only Olivia’s cooking skills and housekeeping were criticized, now it was her appearance’s turn.

Her husband ran over her like a steamroller. From morning, examining his wife from head to toe, Travis started his nitpicking. “Olivia, you’ve started looking worse lately. Face full of wrinkles, bags under your eyes. Can you remove them somehow? There are so many products now.”

“They advertise rejuvenating creams on every channel.” “And you’ve gained weight, become frumpy or something? Maybe eat less? At this rate, you won’t fit through the door soon. I won’t be able to feed you.”

He laughed nastily. “I’ll try, Travis.” That’s all Olivia could say.

It hurt her to tears. She’ll try. Here, decisive action was needed.

“Come on, go on a diet. Then do some exercises. They show a lot on TV.”

“Turn on the TV and go, exercise. I don’t have time for myself. I’m the main breadwinner in the family.”

“What do you do all day? But you yourself asked me to take care of the house. Maybe you’re not aware, but housekeeping takes a lot of time.”

“Those are all silly women’s excuses.” “Look, our neighbor Steve’s wife works at a bank and is smart.” “And a beauty. Not like you.”

“You’ve let yourself go and make up excuses.” Travis wouldn’t stop. “But Steve’s wife is always at the fitness club with a pool.”

“I’d love to go there too, to tone up my figure.” “You can’t get by with just TV exercises.” “At least start eating less.”..

“Then we’ll see if you’re worthy of a fitness club.” “It’s not free,” her husband said. “And don’t hide behind housekeeping.”

“It’s in complete neglect.” “You’ve neglected yourself and everything around.” Olivia listened to the complaints nonstop.

But this time, something inside her snapped. Enough tolerating. She decided to fight back.

“To be well-groomed, Travis, you need money, and not small amounts.” “Full self-care costs money.” “Want me to look like Steve’s wife or even better? Well, then give me money for it every month.”

“Fitness club, cosmetologist services, haircut at the salon, manicure, pedicure.” “The list goes on forever.” Olivia spoke and bent her fingers.

“And don’t forget buying fashionable clothes.” “Be kind, provide all that for me.” “Then I’ll look as stunning as before.”

“You’ve gone crazy,” her husband flared up. “Say thank you that I’ve been supporting you for months while you stuff yourself with sweets in front of the TV.” “And I pay for the apartment and spend a lot on gas when I drive you to the supermarket and market for groceries.”

“But we buy groceries primarily for you,” Olivia didn’t calm down. “Because I pay for them,” Travis said firmly. “If you don’t like eating my groceries, buy your own with your money.”

“Oh, I forgot you’re unemployed.” “So better shut up and know your place.” Olivia understood her financial dependence on her husband.

Thoughts constantly swirled in her head about finding, if not a job, at least part-time work. Part-time employment would be her salvation. That way, she could manage the household and earn a bit to save for a rainy day.

One day, she was ironing laundry with the TV on in the background. Suddenly, a report caught her attention. Olivia even set the iron aside and turned up the volume.

They showed a young woman who decided to start her own business from scratch. She bought goods from China and resold them on online marketplaces. This business idea seemed interesting to Olivia, and she began studying the issue in more detail.

It took about a week to carefully study forums, watch videos online, and read sellers’ reviews. In the end, Olivia decided to take the risk. She bought a trial batch of goods and listed them on a well-known marketplace.

Everything sold out quickly. Encouraged by the success, Olivia immediately invested the proceeds in the next batch. And things took off.

There were minor hiccups, of course, but difficulties happen in any business. Olivia didn’t give up and persistently continued toward her goal—to become financially independent from her husband. After about six months, Olivia fully mastered her business and reached a stable income.

What happiness she felt when she didn’t need to beg her husband for money to buy groceries. She went to the supermarket and looked not only at discounted and marked-down items but also at what she really wanted to buy. Choice vegetables and fruits, a good piece of meat, the freshest dairy products.

From quality ingredients, the cooked food turned out much tastier. Travis even squeezed out something like approval, saying she did well, good job. It seemed the relationship between the spouses should improve, since Olivia now brought money into the family on par with Travis.

You could even say she started earning more than her husband, but that didn’t please him; it rather angered him. “Don’t get too happy yet,” he told her. “Your work is complete nonsense.”

“Money today, none tomorrow.” “I understand, Travis,” his wife explained. “But admit I’ve achieved some success.”

“I have something to be proud of.” “Don’t forget that without me, you’re nobody,” her husband persisted. “You’re a woman first, so you should think about the family.”

“A woman without a man is nothing.” “I married you, supported you all that time you weren’t working, and now I tolerate all your whims.” “They should erect a monument to me.”

“Who needs you at forty-five?” “We’re the same age,” Olivia decided to remind him for some reason. “Don’t make me laugh,” Travis snorted contemptuously. “A woman’s prime is short.”

“No, I’ll still be popular with women for a long time.” “But you’re done.” He spread his hands and laughed nastily.

“If I decide to leave you, you’ll perish, living in poverty in some wretched corner.” Travis always emphasized the phrase “you’re nobody without me.” In her previous marriage, Olivia never had children, just like Travis.

But while her husband never wanted kids and was glad about their absence, Olivia often regretted not experiencing the joy of motherhood. She feared being completely alone in old age, without help, without that proverbial glass of water. What if, after deciding on divorce, she couldn’t find personal happiness again?

Such thoughts visited Olivia more often, and she postponed making a serious decision. It’s still better with a husband than alone, she convinced herself. However, fate decided otherwise.

It all started with Travis preparing for his birthday. For his 45th, he invited many guests, including relatives, friends, and colleagues. The venue for the celebration was an expensive restaurant…

Of course, Travis loved to boast and show off. His circle considered him wealthy and very generous. He had to meet their expectations.

Olivia didn’t object to the fancy restaurant, but inwardly wondered. Would her husband really shell out a substantial sum? While she pondered this, Travis himself clarified.

Unexpectedly, her husband became so affectionate and compliant that it was a pleasure to watch. About a week before the event, he suddenly approached his wife with a proposal. “Olivia, sweetie, I had this idea.”

“You’re probably racking your brain over what to gift me.” “So I’ll give you a hint.” “As a gift, help me pay for the banquet.”

“I calculated everything and realized I overdid it inviting almost 30 people.” “Well, I can’t cancel the invitations now.” “They’d laugh at me.”

“So we’ll definitely celebrate the birthday.” “But I don’t want to take a loan.” “How to pay it back?”

Olivia, who by then had prepared a gift for her husband—expensive watches—lost her speech for a moment. Then she recovered and said, “Travis, I’m very surprised.” “You yourself spoke so many times about my earnings as pitiful pennies.”

“Now, it turns out, you think differently?” “No, dear, I meant something else.” “You see, I didn’t want you to spend your personally earned money on family needs.”

“That’s my job as the man.” “To take care of you.” “Commendable,” Olivia approved.

“But what’s changed now?” “If before it was shameful for you to take money from me, is it okay to ask for the restaurant payment?” “Are you offended at me?” Travis exclaimed.

“I’ve realized everything.” “Yes, I was wrong.” He looked at his wife attentively.

“I’m guilty of unintentionally offending you with my words.” “But understand, we men are like that.” “We feel awkward if the wife is more successful in her career and earns more money.”

“Because of that, we often say stupid things; don’t take it to heart.” Her husband’s words touched Olivia. Finally, she waited.

Did her spouse really understand he was wrong, not offending his wife with words and actions? It’s good she didn’t act hastily and make rash decisions. With a husband, a woman feels calmer and more secure.

Olivia fulfilled Travis’s request with great joy. She paid for the restaurant and decided to give him the watches too. After all, she prepared this gift in advance.

In addition to the watches, for her beloved husband, she bought an expensive suit so Travis would look like man of the year at his birthday. For herself, Olivia bought a beautiful evening dress, did makeup and hair at the salon. The party promised to be grand.

And all the guests gathered at the appointed time in the restaurant. People approached Olivia and gave compliments. She looked so stunning.

Travis saw and heard all this. The displeased expression on his face eloquently said he was outraged to the core. After all, it was his party.

So pleasant words should be said only to him. Why involve his wife at all? The celebration went on.

The banquet menu was beyond praise. The emcee was exceptionally fun but also refined. Guests feasted and joked fully.

Many toasts were raised to the birthday boy’s health. Travis downed one glass after another and must have gotten drunk quickly. It happened that at the table, he sat between two ladies.

His neighbor on the left was his wife, on the right—his work colleague. It was quite noisy due to live music and guests’ chatter. Suddenly, the musicians cut off the melody, and Olivia clearly heard the words Travis addressed to his colleague.

“Irene, you’re such a beauty, of course.” “I can’t take my eyes off you all evening.” “Not like my Olivia.”

“It feels like she’s given up on herself long ago and stopped taking care of herself completely.” “After all, we men love with our eyes.” “Eh, I rushed into marriage.”

“Well, why after divorce did I marry my peer?” “Friends warned me.” “Choose a young one.”

“What was I thinking?” Olivia listened to her husband and couldn’t believe her ears. Irene apparently replied something to Travis, but her words were hard to hear.

She sat farther away. But Olivia made out her husband’s speech very well. Meanwhile, he continued wooing young Irene.

“And here this hen sits on my neck.” “The house isn’t cleaned.” “Food is just dumplings and sausages.”..

“And I, by the way, give her decent money for housekeeping.” “What housekeeping?” He waved his hand.

“Did you see her dress?” “I paid for that.” “But it looks like a saddle on a cow on Olivia.”

“I’d have left her long ago.” “But somehow I feel sorry.” “Where would she go without me?”

“But today I thought.” “Enough.” “Time to think about myself.”

“No more charity.” “By the way, what are your plans for the evening?” “I thought.”

“Let’s drive around the night city.” “Breathe fresh air, so to speak.” “I’ll just send this one home.”

“And that’s it.” “Free till morning.” Olivia felt awkward for her husband.

And of course, wild offense overwhelmed her. What nonsense is he spouting? Has he drunk himself senseless?

Or is the saying true: what’s on a sober man’s mind is on a drunk man’s tongue? She elbowed him and hissed. “What are you saying? Stop embarrassing yourself.”

“Go to hell!” the drunk husband suddenly blurted. “You better sit and eat.” “Everything is very tasty.”

“Not like what you cook.” “Some slop.” Olivia blushed.

Tears welled up in her eyes. No, this was too much. Enough tolerating such boorish treatment.

Travis didn’t love her and probably never did. She was just convenient for him as a wife. But she’d had enough.

The point of no return in their relationship was passed. And why hadn’t she noticed before what her husband was like? Hypocritical, greedy, vile.

How could she believe he’d change? In tough times, he didn’t support but only humiliated and mocked. Olivia wiped her tears, stood from the table, and resolutely approached the emcee.

She whispered something in the host’s ear. He nodded and announced into the microphone. “And now, ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the wife of our birthday boy.”

“Olivia will give a toast, and we’ll support her with thunderous applause.” All guests started clapping. Even drunk Travis applauded and giggled stupidly.

He must have thought his wife would sing his praises. How surprised he was when he heard Olivia’s speech. “Today is my husband’s birthday.”

“And not just a birthday, but a milestone.” “We prepared for this holiday long.” “I, at least, wanted this event to be the most memorable for him.”

“But here’s what I realized.” “He doesn’t need it.” “Travis can’t appreciate love and devotion.”

“So tomorrow, dear, I’m filing for divorce.” “I’m tired of living under one roof with a braggart and liar.” “You can call me mercenary, but few can endure his small salary and inflated ego.”

“Well, what about the bonuses and resorts, you ask?” “That’s blatant lying.” “Our dear Travis hasn’t left the Chicago area in the last five years.”

“He lives in some made-up world.” “But what self-importance!” “It would be enough for five people.”

“What, he told you he paid for this magnificent banquet himself?” “No way.” “I paid for the restaurant.”

“And the suit on him was bought with my money.” “Yes, Travis, with the money you said it’s shameful for a man to take from a woman.”..

“A real man would indeed find it shameful.” “But you’re not one.” “Goodbye, Travis.”

“You wanted to ruin my life and almost succeeded.” “Thanks to fate that I came to my senses in time.” On the last phrase, Olivia handed the microphone to the host and headed to the exit.

A ringing silence hung in the restaurant hall. All eyes were on the woman walking away confidently from all this fuss and hypocrisy. Returning home, Olivia quickly, almost on autopilot, packed her things.

It took no more than an hour. Then she called a taxi and left. Travis didn’t return in that time.

He probably stayed at the restaurant complaining to guests about his hard life with a lazy and hysterical wife. She spent a couple of nights at her friend’s and meanwhile looked for suitable housing. To her joy, a cozy one-bedroom appeared quickly.

Olivia called the owner and went to view the apartment that same day. Since everything suited her, they signed the lease right away. Keys were in Olivia’s hands.

She looked at them and couldn’t believe her happiness. You could consider them keys to a new life, where so many events awaited Olivia. For example, opening her own store.

Yes, first she’d have to go through divorce. But she’d done it once before. She’d manage this time too.

Travis showed up a couple of days after the birthday celebration. He started calling her. Olivia didn’t want to pick up, but on about the fifth try, she answered.

“Where did you disappear to?” Travis began interrogating. “When are you coming back?” “You still don’t get it?” Olivia asked.

“I left forever.” “From your apartment and your life.” “You can’t do this to me.”

“How so?” “So meanly.” “You’re abandoning me without giving the slightest chance to explain.”

“I gave you so many chances I lost count.” “I don’t need any explanations.” “Don’t call me anymore, please, ever.”

She hung up and thought she needed to change her phone number today. A new life would set everything anew.