“I’ve already taken your husband, now I’m coming for your chair!” my husband’s lover smirked at me. I’d invited her in for an interview. It took just one hour to verify her diploma.
But Carolina wasn’t just after a job—she wanted to prove that after stealing my husband, she could take my work too. Still, I didn’t throw her out. I declared a conflict of interest and sent her resume through the regular process. Within a day, not only her documents were being checked, but I was under review too.
“I’ve taken your husband, now for your office seat!” Carolina placed her folder on the edge of my desk and grinned. “And don’t act surprised—Anton warned me you don’t handle change well.”
Oksana Mironova, our recruitment head, sat opposite me with her tablet. She lowered the hand she was about to use to sift through candidate files and looked from Carolina to me.
Carolina chose her stage almost perfectly—
Not my kitchen. Not the apartment lobby. Not a restaurant where I could raise my voice and walk away.
My office.
I could’ve called security. I could’ve thrown her out myself. I could’ve finally said everything that’s been bottled up since Anton left three months ago.
But then by lunchtime, the company rumor would be: HR director kicks out a qualified candidate because she lives with her ex-husband.
“If you came to talk about Anton, this isn’t the place,” I said, moving her folder off the desk edge. “If you’re here about the vacancy, Oksana will handle your documents. Everyone follows the same rules.”
Carolina sat down uninvited, placed her purse on the neighboring chair and smiled even wider.
“This is why Anton got tired of you, Bella. Even your personal disaster has to follow protocols. I bet when your husband left, you asked for the resignation order and had him sign it twice.”
Oksana glanced at her tablet. I knew that move—she never got involved but she’d always witness.
“Are you here to discuss my marriage or do you actually want the job?” I asked. “Because we’re not talking about the first one here. I’m happy to process the second one as usual.”
Carolina’s smile dropped for just a second. Then she pulled out her resume and edged it towards me with two fingers.
“Head of Corporate Client Relations. I know your team’s hiring. I bring experience, achievements, and people who can vouch I do more than steal men. I think you’ll find it useful to see I’m capable of taking more than husbands.”
“We don’t have a separate contest for stealing men,” I replied. “For hiring, we’ll stick to experience, paperwork, and references. It’s a lot more straightforward.”
She twitched her lips.
I opened her resume.
It was impressive—no shallow bragging, solid numbers, projects, big company names, a neat headshot. Three last jobs, business management degree, English proficiency, team lead for eighteen people.
Carolina looked like a good fit.
That made it all the more dangerous.
I turned to Oksana.
“Register her profile in the system. Mark the conflict of interest—Carolina’s in a relationship with my husband. You’ll verify her documents and references, and the hiring decision will exclude me from the final say.”
Carolina folded her arms slowly.
“Cautious, aren’t you? Afraid you might slip up and mention whose bed Anton’s in now?”
“What I’m really afraid of,” I replied, “is you calling any of my decisions revenge. So let’s make it official—neither of us will need to convince anyone later.”
Oksana opened a new candidate profile.
“Let me walk you through the process,” she said professionally. “For this role, we verify education, last jobs, and references. We’ll only contact your current employer with your consent. If you refuse, it’ll be noted and considered in the procedure.”
Carolina turned to her.
“Check every comma, if you want. I have nothing to hide. The more official it is, the better. At least no one can say I got the job because I’m sleeping with the HR director’s husband.”
Continued in the first comment below
Karolina didn’t just come to me looking for a job. She wanted to prove that after taking my husband, she could take my position too. I didn’t kick her out: instead, I officially registered a conflict of interest and sent her resume through our standard hiring process. In less than a day, not only were her documents being checked, but I was under scrutiny as well.
“I took your husband, now I’m taking your chair!” Karolina placed her folder with her resume on the edge of my desk and smirked. “Don’t act surprised. Anton warned me you’re not great with change.”
Oksana Mironova, our head of recruitment, sat across from me with her tablet. She slowly lowered her hand, which was poised to swipe through other candidates, and looked first at Karolina, then at me.
Karolina had picked an almost perfect stage for her show.
Not my kitchen. Not the entrance hall. Not a restaurant, where voices could be raised and someone could storm off.
My office.
I could have called security. I could have kicked her out myself. I could have finally said everything I’d been holding in during the three months since Anton left.
But then, by lunchtime, a new story would have been circulating around the company: the HR Director kicked out a qualified candidate just because she lives with her ex-husband.
“If you’re here to talk about Anton, this isn’t the place for it,” I said, sliding the folder further from the edge of the desk. “If this is about the job, Oksana handles the applications. The same rules apply for every candidate here.”
Karolina sat down without waiting for an invitation, placed her bag on the adjacent chair, and smiled even wider.
“That’s exactly why Anton was tired of you, Bella. You need everything, even a family crisis, to go by the book. I bet when your husband told you he was leaving, you made sure to confirm the reference number and asked him to sign it in duplicate.”
Oksana turned her gaze back to the tablet. I knew this gesture well. She wasn’t going to intervene, but she was definitely paying attention.
“Are you here to talk about my personal life or are you actually applying for this position?” I asked. “Because I won’t discuss the first one here. The second, I’m willing to consider through the regular process.”
Karolina stopped smiling for just a second. Then she pulled a resume from her folder and pushed it toward me with two fingers.
“Head of Corporate Client Services. I know the spot’s open. I’ve got experience, results, and people who can vouch for what I’m capable of. I think it’ll do you some good to see for yourself that I can take more than just men.”
“We don’t have a separate competition for men here,” I replied. “As for the job, we’ll look at your experience, documents, and references. It’s all much more straightforward than you think.”
The corner of her mouth twitched.
I opened her resume.
It was well put together. No cheap bragging. It had figures, projects, company names, and a neat photo. The last three jobs, a degree in management, English skills, experience leading a team of eighteen.
At first glance, Karolina seemed like a perfect fit.
And that’s exactly why the situation felt even more dangerous.
I turned to Oksana.
Register your candidacy in the system. And make sure to mark the conflict of interest right away. Karolina is in a personal relationship with my husband. You’ll handle checking her documents and references, and any decision about her candidacy will be made without my sole involvement.
Karolina slowly crossed her arms.
How thoughtful. Are you afraid you might slip and accidentally remember who Anton wakes up with these days?
That’s not my concern, I replied. I’m worried that you’ll claim any move I make is just a woman’s revenge. So, let’s make this process clear, so neither you nor I have to convince anyone with just words.
Oksana opened the new candidate’s file.
Then I’ll explain the procedure right now, she said in a businesslike tone. For this position, we check the declared education, recent workplaces, and references. Contact with your current employer only happens with your separate consent. If you don’t agree, that will be noted and considered in the process.
Karolina turned to her.
Check every little detail if you want. I have nothing to hide. The more official everything is, the better. At least then no one can claim I got this just because I know the head of HR’s husband.
Or didn’t get it because of him, I added.
Karolina let out a short laugh.
Bella, do you still hope to intimidate me with your title?
No. In fact, I’m doing everything I can so that my position doesn’t matter at all to the outcome of your interview.
Oksana looked up from her tablet.
If you’re participating in the selection process, I’ll set the main interview for today at three o’clock. Before that, you’ll need to fill out the questionnaire and attach any documents you have.
Three o’clock it is, Karolina replied. I’ll clear my schedule. Meetings like this are too important to miss.
She said those last words looking straight at me.
Three months ago, Anton packed two suitcases and told me he ‘didn’t want to live by a schedule anymore.’ A week later, I learned exactly who he was living with now.
Twenty-one years of marriage ended with two suitcases, a phrase about freedom, and keys left on the nightstand.
It hurt me more than I ever allowed myself to show—even to myself. Until that morning, Karolina existed outside of my work. I never called her, never asked for explanations, and I never tried to figure out what made her better than me.
Now she’s brought that story right into the place where any mistake I make could become an official record.
I closed the folder.
So, three o’clock, conference room number four. Oksana will lead the main part of the interview.
Karolina stood up and adjusted the strap of her bag.
Perfect. I hope by tonight you’ll get used to the idea that some women don’t ask for a spot—they take it.
You’ll need to start by filling out the form, I replied. Even conquerors sometimes have to begin with a four-page application.
Oksana coughed, hiding a smile.
Karolina glanced at her, then looked back at me.
Enjoy it while you can, Bella.
She left.
Oksana waited until the door closed and set the tablet down on the table.
“I’m going to ask this not as your subordinate, but as someone who sat here and heard everything. Are you sure you even want to let her into the competition?”
“I want to make sure that in a week, no one can ask why we didn’t even look at her resume,” I replied. “If she’s not right for the role, the qualifications and our checks should make that clear. Not my relationship with Anton.”
Oksana frowned.
“Then I’ll do everything myself. The interviews, requests, recommendations, the correspondence. You can be present as the HR Director, but no solo decisions about her from you.”
“Exactly. And go ahead and make a conflict of interest note now, before we start any checks.”
Oksana typed up the note and turned the screen toward me.
The registration time appeared right next to the entry: 10:17.
Back then, those four digits seemed like just another office detail.
But the very next day, they meant a lot more than I could have imagined.
At three o’clock, Karolina walked into the meeting room right on time.
She wore a light blazer, her hair was neatly tied back, and her phone was off. No forced smiles. If I hadn’t known her personally, I’d have thought she was a strong candidate fully prepared for this important interview.
Oksana started by going over her work experience.
Karolina answered confidently, provided numbers, and didn’t rush her responses. She truly understood corporate sales. When asked about a failed project, she didn’t pretend she was perfect—instead, she talked about a contract that fell through because the timelines were miscalculated.
I caught myself thinking something unpleasant.
She wasn’t an empty shell.
Parts of her resume were definitely based on real experience.
“In your last company, you listed your title as Deputy Commercial Director,” Oksana said as she scrolled through the application. “Tell us more about your responsibilities and your team. Your resume says you had eighteen direct reports.”
“In fact, I oversaw two departments,” Karolina replied. “The formal structure changed, but people went through me. I was responsible for key clients, planning distribution, and negotiating tough deals.”
Oksana looked up.
“I need to distinguish between ‘worked through me’ and ‘were direct reports.’ That’s not the same. So, were those eighteen people your official direct subordinates?”
Karolina hesitated a moment before answering.
“If you’re going to nitpick on wording, some of the employees reported to group managers. But ultimately, I was responsible.”
“Then I’ll state it that way in the report,” Oksana said. “Two management levels, not eighteen direct reports. It’s not a minor detail when it comes to a leadership role.”
Karolina looked at me.
“Is it always like this here? Every word gets picked apart under a magnifying glass?”
“Sometimes we even read the resumes during interviews,” I replied. “It’s an unusual practice, but we manage.”
Karolina smiled, but her look became harder.
“Alright. Let’s read closely. I have nothing to hide.”
Oksana moved on to the next job on her resume.
“At Severn-Trade, you listed yourself as head of client division. Almost four years there. Why did you leave?”
“I outgrew the company,” said Karolina. “I wanted more responsibility, but management just wasn’t ready to move as quickly as I could.”
“So, you’re saying you were the one who decided to leave?” Oksana clarified.
Karolina nodded confidently.
“It was my decision. Our parting wasn’t perfect, because my boss never took well to independent employees. But I was the one who handed in my notice.”
Oksana made a note.
“Your resume also lists a higher education degree in management, dated 2012. You attached a scan. Could you provide the original if needed?”
“Of course,” Karolina replied. “The original is with my parents. If it comes to completing the paperwork, I’ll bring it in.”
Oksana continued scrolling through the application.
“And another thing: you gave us permission to contact your current employer. Was that intentional? Usually, candidates prefer we do this closer to the final stage.”
Karolina looked at me and smirked.
“Intentional. My director knows I’m looking at other opportunities. Call whoever you want. I promised Bella there would be nothing for her to find.”
“That’s not a promise to Bella,” Oksana pointed out. “It’s your official consent for the company to do a background check. I’ll need you to confirm it separately—just to avoid any misunderstandings later.”
She turned the tablet toward Karolina.
Karolina read the text, picked up the stylus, and signed it.
“I confirm. I hope that’s official enough for everyone now.”
“It’s enough for me,” said Oksana, taking the tablet back. “Let’s move on.”
The interview lasted almost an hour.
When it was over, Oksana escorted Karolina to the elevator, while I stayed behind to gather the papers.
A few minutes later, the door opened again.
Karolina came back alone and closed the door behind her.
“So, Bella?” she said, walking up to the desk. “Was it hard to sit across from me and realize I’m really the right fit?”
“You have solid sales experience,” I replied. “That much was clear from your resume. That’s why the background check is important: strong candidates also need to verify their claims.”
Karolina squinted.
“Didn’t expect a compliment. Anton always said you only get objective when you’re in control of things.”
“Anton has spent years mistaking control for responsibility. Seems like he still does.”
Her smile got thinner.
“He’s said a lot about you, actually.”
That hit home even harder than her jab this morning.
Twenty-one years of marriage suddenly boiled down to just a few words tossed at me by another woman.
But I had no intention of asking what exactly he had told her.
“Then you already know I don’t make hiring decisions based on mood,” I said. “There’s a background check after the interview. From here, keep working with Oksana.”
Karolina didn’t move toward the door.
“Do you really think you can just put a desk between us, pile on a few applications, and pretend we’re just two women at work?”
“I’m not pretending anything. You live with my husband. That’s a fact. Which is exactly why I won’t be the one deciding on your career. If you were hoping for a scene, you’ll have to find another stage.”
Karolina’s face flickered with anger.
“Don’t pretend to be a saint. You want them to reject me.”
“Honestly, I’d rather not discuss my husband with you during work hours at all. But you’ve already ruined that, so let’s just let the documents speak for themselves.”
Karolina grabbed the door handle.
“Let’s see how long you can keep up that act.”
“If you mean my work, I’ve been at it for ten years. As for playing the role of the offended wife, I never auditioned for that part.”
Karolina swung the door open and walked out.
At 16:08, Oksana messaged me: “Come see me, please. There’s an issue with the education records.”
I went to her office five minutes later.
On her monitor, scans of Karolina’s diploma and the results from the initial screening were open.
“I processed the data using our standard method,” Oksana explained, zooming in on the document. “The series and number don’t match the listed year and program. There’s no record with those details in the accessible database. I’ve sent a follow-up request, so I won’t make any final conclusions yet.”
“So it could still be a technical error?”
“Theoretically, it could,” Oksana replied. “That’s why I’m not putting the word ‘forgery’ in the report unless I get proof. But look at the attachment.”
She enlarged the lower part of the scan. The format of the number differed from the one used during that period.
“And all this was found in less than an hour after the interview?” I asked.
Oksana nodded.
“The initial mismatch turned up quickly. Waiting for the official reply will take longer. And one more thing, Bella—I want to set the record straight right now: I submitted the request from my own account. You didn’t tell me what exactly to search for.”
“That’s exactly why you’re the one handling the checks.”
Oksana leaned back in her chair.
“I get it. It’s just that after this morning, I feel like we’re really going to need to remember who did what, and when, very precisely.”
She turned out to be right.
The next morning, the response from Severn-Trade came in.
Karolina’s employment dates didn’t fully match, and the position was lower than the one listed on her resume. But the key detail was in HR’s comment.
Oksana called me into her office and closed the door.
“I’m not going to send you unnecessary details, because they’re not essential for the decision,” she said. “But the former employer stated in writing that Karolina did not leave on her own accord. Just before she left, there was an internal review of client refund transactions.”
I looked at her.
“What exactly did they confirm?”
“According to their documentation, some client funds were misappropriated. That’s why her employment ended. They’re ready to officially confirm this information—within the limits of what they’re allowed to share.”
I sat down across from her.
“So we’re already looking at two independent discrepancies.”
“And neither came up because someone was hunting for dirt,” Oksana emphasized. “They’re both standard parts of the resume check process.”
An hour later, Karolina’s current employer replied.
They were even more surprised.
Their records showed she was a senior manager, not a deputy commercial director. And she never had eighteen employees reporting directly to her.
After their conversation, the HR manager asked Karolina to explain the discrepancies in her records. There was also a separate question about the copy of her diploma on file: it differed from the one Karolina had sent us.
Oksana finished the call and looked over at me.
“They’re starting their own document review now. From here on out, it’s their decision to make. We won’t interfere anymore.”
“And we shouldn’t,” I agreed. “We only need to handle what’s relevant to our own job posting.”
Oksana closed her laptop.
“You know what bothers me most? If she had just exaggerated her responsibilities a little, maybe we could discuss it. But here, one inconsistency leads to another.”
“That’s why we’re not jumping to conclusions,” I said. “Put everything together into a report and send it to Sergey. My personal opinion about the candidate shouldn’t be in it.”
I thought that would be the end of the story.
I was wrong.
At half past five, Sergey Maltsev called me into his office.
Karolina was already there when I arrived.
In front of her was a printed complaint. She wasn’t smiling or trying to catch my eye. Now, Karolina looked focused and angry.
Sergey gestured toward an empty chair.
“Bella, have a seat. This situation has gotten more serious. Karolina claims that you started the review of her documents out of personal revenge. She also notes that after our company contacted her current employer, they began an internal investigation.”
Karolina didn’t let me respond.
“That’s exactly what I’m saying,” she stated. “Yesterday I came for an interview, and today management is summoning me, demanding to know why some of my documents don’t match. Do you think it’s normal for my boyfriend’s wife to dig through my background and call my office?”
“I didn’t review your documents or contact your employer,” I replied. “Precisely because of our personal history, I stepped aside from that part of the process as soon as it began.”
Karolina smirked.
“Of course. You’re a smart woman. Why get your own hands dirty if you’ve got a subordinate willing to follow the rules?”
Oksana hadn’t come into the office yet, so Sergey frowned.
“Karolina, if you have any proof that Bella gave an illegal or improper order, say so now. I can’t use personal assumptions in an official investigation.”
“The proof is sitting right in front of you,” Karolina replied, nodding toward me. “She has motive. I live with her husband. I came to her company. Suddenly, my diploma gets scrutinized under a microscope.”
I could feel anger rising inside, but I kept my voice steady.
“Your diploma is being checked not because you live with Anton. It’s being checked because you listed a university degree on your resume for a managerial role. I specifically reported the conflict of interest before the first review began.”
“How conveniently cautious,” Karolina shot back. “First you set up an alibi, then you sic your people on my trail.”
Sergey raised his hand.
Stop, both of you. I’m not interested in fancy words, I want to know the sequence of actions. Bella, did you take part in verifying the diploma?
I didn’t take part. The requests were made by Oksana from her account.
Did you instruct her separately to contact the current employer?
No, I didn’t. For this position, reference checks are part of the regular procedure. Karolina specifically allowed contact with her current company and confirmed her agreement on the tablet.
Karolina spun around to face me sharply.
You knew perfectly well that after a call like that, they’d start asking questions over there.
All I knew was that you told Oksana yourself your boss was aware of your job search, and it was okay to make contact. I can’t respect your written consent and at the same time guess what you truly meant.
Karolina pulled out her phone.
Anton feels the same way. He’s ready to confirm that you couldn’t just accept my joining the team.
Sergey glanced at the phone but didn’t reach for it.
Anton’s opinion about his wife’s feelings isn’t evidence of a staff procedure violation. However, the complaint is official, so I am required to investigate it fully.
Karolina leaned back in her chair.
So at least now you acknowledge there’s a problem.
I acknowledge only that there’s a complaint, Sergey replied dryly. Until the investigation ends, Bella is suspended from any decisions about your candidacy. Oksana will give me the action log, consents, check templates, and all related correspondence. As for you, Karolina, you also won’t get any decision about the vacancy until the review is over.
That’s when I felt truly scared.
Not for my marriage. Not for Anton.
For my job.
Ten years at the company suddenly boiled down to one question: will the people who have always trusted my judgment now believe I could use my position for a personal vendetta?
I’ll hand over everything required and won’t participate in the complaint review, I said. If you need to check my actions separately, I have no objections.
Karolina turned her head towards me.
That’s the right decision. For once, you’re not the one deciding who gets to sit in that chair.
Sergey looked at her over his glasses.
If you want your complaint treated as a professional matter, stop turning every comment into a family argument. Right now, it’s hurting your position most of all.
Karolina pursed her lips.
My phone started vibrating in the hallway.
Anton.
I only answered because I knew that if I didn’t, he’d keep calling back.
Bella, do you realize what you’ve done? he shot at me without saying hello, his voice quick and irritated. Now Karolina is being dragged from office to office at work because of your calls. Was it really so important for you to get back at her?
I didn’t call her work or check her documents, I replied. She sent her résumé herself, listed her employers herself, and signed the consent for verification herself.
Anton let out a heavy sigh.
“Of course, everything you do is technically flawless. You always know how to shift the blame onto someone else, just by the book. Couldn’t you have just told your team to not dig so deep?”
“If I did that, I’d actually be interfering with the process for personal reasons. And this time, it would favor you.”
“Don’t make Carolina out to be a criminal over a couple of lines on her resume,” he said irritably. “She was just trying to get a good job. People sometimes embellish their experience a little. You understand why she wanted to leave her company.”
“Anton, I haven’t discussed the details of her background check with you and I’m not going to start now. If someone writes one thing on their resume and their employer confirms something else, the issue isn’t because I’m someone’s wife.”
He was silent for a few seconds.
“You just can’t get over the fact that she’s younger than you, and I chose her.”
I even closed my eyes.
Three months ago, that phrase would have thrown me off completely. Now it just sounded absurd.
“If you’re really going to boil down twenty-one years of our marriage to the age of another woman, then there’s nothing left for us to discuss,” I said. “And I’m no longer the one reviewing her application. You got exactly what you wanted: I’m completely out of it.”
“Bella, if she loses her current job because of all this, don’t say you had nothing to do with it.”
“If her employer has questions about her documents, Carolina will have to answer them. Not me. And right now, Sergey is the one reviewing my actions. If I broke protocol, I’ll be the one held responsible. See, it’s simple: everyone is accountable for their own decisions.”
Anton exhaled sharply.
“It’s impossible to talk to you when you use that icy tone.”
“Then I guess tonight is a rare success for us. There’s nothing left to discuss.”
I hung up the call.
And for the first time in three months, I didn’t replay in my head what I could have said better.
I had a different question on my mind.
Had I really followed the same rules I expected everyone else to follow?
The next morning, Sergey called us all into the small meeting room.
Oksana sat to his right. In front of her was a printed timeline from the HR system.
Carolina was the last to come in. She looked at me but didn’t say hello.
Sergey opened the folder.
“The complaint review is finished. First, we’ll go over the procedure, then the documents themselves. I ask that no one interrupts; right now, everything can be verified by time and records.”
Carolina put her phone face down on the table.
“I’m listening. I’m especially curious how you’ll explain so many coincidences.”
Sergey didn’t even acknowledge the edge in her voice.
“The application was registered yesterday at 10:17. At 10:19, Bella entered a notice of personal conflict of interest and stated she should not make the final decision on this candidate alone. At that time, your documents hadn’t been reviewed yet.”
He turned to Oksana.
“Please continue.”
Oksana placed the first page in front of her.
The interview started at 15:02. Karolina confirmed everything from her resume. I specifically asked if it was okay to contact her current employer, since many candidates don’t give permission for that. Karolina agreed and signed her consent on the tablet.
Karolina shook her head in irritation.
“I only agreed to a regular reference call, not for you to launch a full investigation into my life.”
“A regular call is exactly what we do,” Oksana replied. “We ask about the job title, time worked, and responsibilities you listed on your resume. Your employer gave information that didn’t match the resume. After that, they decided to check documents internally.”
“And you expect me to believe that Bella knew nothing about this?”
“After the discrepancies came to light, I only told her procedural details, since she’s the HR director,” Oksana said. “But I was the one who made the inquiries. The log of actions confirms this.”
Sergey pushed a printout towards Karolina.
“Here are the time stamps and accounts. I also looked up the previous three recruitment rounds for similar management positions. Education and references were checked in the same way.”
Karolina glanced at the documents and gave a smirk, but with less confidence than before.
“Very convenient. Looks like you have paperwork for everything.”
“For HR, that’s usually considered a good thing,” Sergey replied. “Now let’s talk about the details.”
He picked up the next sheet.
“The educational institution didn’t confirm issuing a diploma with the credentials you listed. We have their official response. The company didn’t make any final decision before receiving it, though the initial mismatch was found within an hour of the interview.”
Karolina tensed up.
“There could be a database mistake. That happens.”
“That’s exactly why we waited for confirmation,” Oksana said. “If it was only about the initial database, we would have kept considering your application.”
Sergey continued:
“Your previous employer also confirmed a different job title and a different reason for leaving than you gave during the interview.”
Karolina suddenly turned to Oksana.
“There was a conflict with my manager at ‘Sever-Trade’. He couldn’t stand me. If you want to believe anyone who has a grudge against me, that’s on you.”
Oksana didn’t raise her voice.
“We’re not judging whether your previous manager liked you or not. The official response cited an internal investigation into client returns. Their documents show you appropriated some funds, which led to the termination of your employment. That contradicts your version about leaving for career growth.”
Karolina leaned back in her seat.
“They can write whatever they want. I don’t have to agree with their interpretation.”
“You don’t have to agree,” Sergey responded. “But the company is required to take into account a confirmed discrepancy between your statement and what your former employer said.”
He turned the page.
– The current employer has confirmed your position as Senior Manager. However, the Deputy Commercial Director title could not be verified, nor could the claim of eighteen direct reports.
– I already explained that I was essentially leading people, Karolina said irritably. If your thinking is so bureaucratic that you only see what’s written in the staffing chart, that’s not my fault.
– In the interview, you were specifically asked about direct subordinates, Oksana reminded her. You confirmed the number as eighteen. So it’s not about bureaucracy, but about the accuracy of your response.
Karolina abruptly turned toward me.
– And are you just going to sit there the whole time with that look on your face, as if you’re not even here?
I held her gaze.
– That’s exactly what I wanted. For the decision to not depend on my expression, my husband, or your attitude toward me.
– Stop pretending to be noble. You’re pleased with yourself.
– No. I find this situation unpleasant for the company and for everyone involved. But your paperwork doesn’t change based on how I feel about it.
Karolina smirked.
– Sure. Couldn’t win back my husband, but at least you managed to ruin this job for me. That’s some consolation.
I looked at her and suddenly realized that just yesterday, I would’ve started defending myself.
I would have said I didn’t want Anton back. I would have reminded her how many years we were together. I would have tried to prove I didn’t lose to a younger woman.
Now all that seemed unnecessary.
– This morning, you said you took my husband and now you’re going to take my seat too, I said. Anton made his choice on his own. I didn’t keep him on a leash and I’m not about to fight to win him back. As for my seat, it was never about him. I didn’t get it with my marriage certificate.
Karolina squinted.
– Nicely prepared speech.
– Not at all. I finally realized that this whole time, I was answering a question you made up yourself. I’m not competing with you.
She stood up abruptly.
– We’ll see how this story ends for you.
Sergey closed the folder.
– In our company, your application process is over. The complaint against Bella’s actions was not substantiated. Due to significant inaccuracies in your resume and documents, we are terminating your candidacy.
Karolina turned to him.
– And the problems I’ve now got at my current job after your phone call—does that not concern you at all?
– Your employer received information only within the scope of your authorized background check, Sergey replied. He made the decision to start an internal review himself. We won’t be investigating the results or interfering further.
Karolina picked up her bag.
– Perfect setup. Everyone did their part, and somehow I’m the one left to blame.
Oksana stood up.
– I’ll walk you to the exit. Any further questions about the handling of your documents can be directed to me in writing, and I’ll respond within the procedure.
Karolina stepped toward the door, but stopped next to me.
– You know what’s funny? Anton still chose me.
I looked up at her.
– Then it’s strange that you still need my confirmation of your victory so much.
Karolina stared at me for a few seconds.
Then she left with Oksana.
Sergey waited for the door to close behind him before taking off his glasses.
“Bella, I made the right call yesterday by suspending you. Even with a flawless process, we were obligated to investigate the complaint.”
“I understand,” I replied.
“And you did the right thing by immediately reporting the conflict of interest,” he continued. “If even a single critical request had been sent from your personal email, or was made on an unconfirmed verbal order, this conversation would be going very differently right now.”
“That’s exactly why I didn’t want to be involved in the review myself.”
Sergey gave a small, amused smile.
“Sometimes the best way to keep control is to hand some of it over to someone else at the right moment. Get back to work. We’ll carry out the committee for this vacancy without you, as we agreed.”
I stood up.
“Thank you, Sergey.”
“No need to thank me. Just make sure next time your family drama isn’t submitting resumes to HR.”
For the first time in two days, I smiled.
“I’ll be sure to add that clause to my prenup, if I ever go for round two.”
“Now that sounds like pure professional adaptation,” Sergey said as he put his glasses back on.
I walked out of the meeting room.
I didn’t feel like celebrating the fact that Karolina was being investigated at her new job. I didn’t even know how it would turn out for her.
But I already knew something else.
I was done living in a competition Karolina had invented for the both of us.
That evening, Anton called again.
I saw his name on my screen and spent a few seconds debating whether to pick up. In the end, I did.
“Are you happy now?” he asked. His voice sounded tired, but the anger was still there. “Karolina didn’t get the job. Now they’re checking her documents at work. Is this what you wanted all along?”
“If I’d gotten what I wanted three months ago, you would have had an honest conversation with me before moving in with another woman,” I replied. “But that’s not what this is about now.”
“Don’t start again.”
“You called me, Anton.”
He was silent for a moment.
“You could have stopped the review. You could have said you know the candidate personally and didn’t want to go through her documents.”
“Then I’d be using my position for you and Karolina. How is that better than the revenge you’ve accused me of?”
“Don’t twist my words. I’m just saying, sometimes you can handle the rules more humanely.”
“Humanely for whom? For her? For you? Should we let the next candidate skip diploma verification, too, because someone feels awkward?”
Anton let out an exasperated sigh.
“You’re impossible to argue with. You always turn conversations into a committee session.”
“And you always call my boundaries ‘bureaucracy’ when they keep you from getting what you want.”
This time, his pause lasted longer than usual.
Then his tone changed.
“Bella, don’t make decisions on emotion right now. Divorce doesn’t have to be rushed. We spent twenty-one years together. Can we at least talk properly about what happens next?”
I looked at my desk.
For the past two weeks, the folder with my divorce papers and document copies had been sitting there.
I kept putting it off.
Not because I wanted to win Anton back.
Maybe it was because I kept a small door open to my past life, not even admitting to myself why I needed it.
“We’re only going to discuss practical matters,” I told him. “Tomorrow I’m filing for divorce. If you need to pick up your remaining things, message me ahead of time so we can arrange it.”
There was silence on the other end of the line.
Then Anton asked:
“Did you come to this decision today because of Karolina?”
“I’ve made up my mind a long time ago. Today I just stopped putting it off.”
“Twenty-one years, Bella. Does that really mean nothing to you now?”
I traced my finger along the edge of the folder.
“They mean twenty-one years of my life. That’s exactly why I don’t want to waste a twenty-second year waiting for either of us to return to something that’s already gone.”
Anton spoke more quietly:
“I never thought it would end like this.”
“Neither did I. But that doesn’t mean we should pretend nothing’s over.”
He let out a heavy sigh.
“Alright. I’ll message you about my things.”
“Message me ahead of time. I’ll respond.”
The next day, I filed the paperwork.
When I walked out of the courthouse, I sent Anton a short message: “The paperwork has been filed. From now on, we only discuss the divorce and remaining things. Let me know the time in advance.”
I put my phone back in my bag.
For the first time in three months, I didn’t need to wait for his reply.