When I returned home, I immediately felt that something was wrong. Normally, the familiar sound of their paws and purring would fill the house, but this time… silence. A silence that was too deep.
— Where are the cats? — I asked, crossing the threshold.
My wife was sitting at the table, calmly scrolling through her phone. Without looking up, she answered briefly:
— I gave them away. I couldn’t stand the fur everywhere anymore.
My heart tightened. Those cats had been a part of my life even before our marriage. They weren’t just animals — they were my family. And just like that, without any warning, without any explanation, they were gone.
— What do you mean by “gave them away”? — I asked, trying to control my voice.
— It means that the house is clean now, and you’ll finally be able to live peacefully, without worrying about the animals — she replied emotionlessly.
I continued asking:
— Where did you give them?
— They’re in good hands. Forget about them.
I couldn’t understand how this could have happened. This wasn’t just an ordinary act — I felt like I had lost something very important.
I began searching for them. I visited all the shelters, posted ads, printed flyers. But it was all in vain. My wife wouldn’t say where exactly she had given our cats, and her attitude was starting to frustrate me more and more.
One day, a friend of mine from the shelter messaged me:
— I think I saw your cats. A few days ago, a woman brought in three that closely resembled yours.
My heart started racing. I immediately called:
— Are they still with you?
— Sorry, but they’ve already found new owners — they replied.
The world seemed to tilt before my eyes. I asked:
— Who took them? I need to find them.
— We can’t disclose that information, but I assure you, they are in good hands.
With each passing day, I felt an increasing emptiness. When I returned home, my wife greeted me with a slight smile.
— So, have you calmed down? — she asked with a sense of superiority.
And at that moment, I realized I couldn’t be with someone who could do something like this. That same evening, I packed my things and left. A week later, I filed for divorce.
Months passed. One day, while browsing the shelter’s website, I came across a section called “Success Stories of Adoptions.” And then… I froze.
My cats.
Three happy faces, three new families. They were okay. And so was I. I could get them back and start a new life.
