After leaving his wife penniless after the divorce.

Anton rubbed his hands in satisfaction. But three years later, when he ran into his ex by chance, he couldn’t believe what he saw.

Anton had always prided himself on being independent and ambitious. From a young age, while his classmates focused on their studies, he was already wheeling and dealing—reselling used cars and assembling custom-built computers. He was confident, vain, and loved being in control.

It was during this time that he met Albina—a quiet, dedicated student majoring in foreign languages. Unlike the flashy girls Anton usually dated, Albina was simple, sensitive, and full of dreams. And that’s exactly what drew him in.

They soon started dating. Anton promised her love and a comfortable life.

— “Marry me. I’ll take care of everything. You don’t have to worry about a thing,” he would say.

Though she wanted to pursue a career as a translator, Albina eventually agreed. They got married, and shortly after, their first son, Dimka, was born. Two years later, Lenochka arrived, and Albina fully dedicated herself to motherhood. She considered hiring a nanny to return to work, but Anton was firm:

— “Mothers should raise their children.”

While claiming to be focused on business, Anton spent freely on himself: a brand-new TV, a new car, frequent nights out with friends. When Albina asked for a new hairdryer, he replied that the old one still worked fine.

As time passed, the kids grew and started school. Albina felt increasingly alone. Anton was rarely home, and when he was, he paid no attention to her. He always found time for friends, but never for his wife or children.

Then one day, without warning, he said:

— “We should get a divorce. I’m done playing house. I want my freedom.”

— “What about the kids? And me?” — Albina asked, stunned.

— “You’ll figure it out. You’re their mother, aren’t you?”

That same night, Anton packed up and left with all his things. Albina was devastated. Her once-comfortable life had collapsed overnight. She needed to provide for her children, and quickly started looking for work. She often left the kids with a neighbor and, with great effort, found a job as a janitor at a mall. Sometimes she worked night shifts to make ends meet.

— “Mommy, why are you always at work?” — little Lena asked sadly.

— “To buy our food and clothes, sweetheart,” — Albina replied, holding back tears.

Anton had vanished. No calls, no money. Nothing.

One day, Albina received unexpected news: her grandfather had passed away. She took time off to deal with the paperwork at the notary office and discovered a shocking surprise. Her grandfather had quietly invested in stocks over the years. He had left his entire inheritance to her.

Albina cried. She remembered his words:
— “Save your little coins, my dear. One day they’ll matter.”

Determined to turn her life around, Albina enrolled in professional development courses and used part of the inheritance to open a small café in the neighborhood. It was cozy, charming, and quickly became popular. Albina enjoyed working the floor and interacting with customers.

Then one day, as she turned to greet new guests, time seemed to freeze. It was Anton. Beside him stood a young, glamorous blonde. Albina took a deep breath, walked over to their table, and said calmly:

— “Good afternoon. What can I get you?”

Anton looked up, surprised:
— “Albina? You’re working here as a waitress?”

— “Yes. What would you like?”

— “Two cappuccinos and some croissants,” — he replied with a mocking tone.
— “So this is a promotion, huh? I thought you were still scrubbing floors.”

— “Your order will be ready in a few minutes,” — she replied politely, then walked away.

When she returned with the tray, Anton couldn’t hold back:

— “You’re actually doing alright. Maybe serving coffee really is your calling.”

Before Albina could respond, a well-dressed man entered the café.

— “Albina! Great to see you. Can we talk about that proposal now?”

— “Sure. I’m just finishing up here.”

— “As always,” — he said with a smile. — “You’d rather be among people than behind a desk.”

Anton watched everything in silence.

— “So… you’re the owner?” — he finally asked, clearly stunned.

— “Yes. This is my café. If you need anything, ask the waitress Lena. She’s my daughter.”

With a smile, Albina turned and walked into her office.
At that moment, she knew—she had truly moved on.

📈 Investing: Growing with Caution
Investing is key to building wealth, but it requires study and planning. Stocks, funds, and cryptocurrencies offer opportunities, but also risks. Invest based on your profile, diversify, and never put your money into something you don’t understand.