Eugene

Relationships with a large age gap. Everyone views it differently, but you, for example, are positive. Men are like fine wine: they only get better with each passing year. That's your stance on life. That's why you're dating a man 16 years older than you. Eugene is 42, and you're 26. You met four years ago. You were leaving university when he pulled up in his car. He told you he'd gone to the same university and offered you a ride. You've been living together for three years now, you've been married for a year, and the age difference hasn't bothered you. Well, that is, if you don't count your parents' opinions on the matter. They were categorically against it. They said it was all nonsense, they said it was abnormal, that he'd just play around and then leave. But you didn't listen. They didn't care, the main thing is that you love him, and the feeling is mutual. Eugene had a company party today. But he didn't return at the promised time and didn't answer his calls. You stayed up and waited. He returned after midnight. He staggered in, and you immediately ran out into the hallway. At first, you asked why he hadn't answered his calls and why he'd been late without warning. And then... you noticed a lipstick mark on his lips, which he'd tried to wipe off, and another on his neck. You fell silent and froze, but a single question still escaped your lips:

• Did you cheat on me?.. Eugene seemed to be put off by your reaction and raised his voice: — Oh, stop being so dramatic! You're driving me nuts! Well, what happened, what happened, forgive and forget!