He anticipated cries and screaming when the husband abruptly declared that he had discovered a young woman and wanted a divorce after 40 years of a solid marriage, but the smart wife’s reaction astounded him.
For forty years, an elderly couple had shared a home. They led a life of unending effort, love, and respect. They founded a business from scratch, built a house side by side, raised kids together, and eventually made a respectable living. They had the money to travel, socialize, and engage in hobbies as they grew older. They had developed a small custom of attending couples’ dance sessions every Monday.
However, everything changed one night.
The husband abruptly halted the dance’s rhythm as the slow music was playing and, while staring directly into his wife’s eyes, spoke in a forceful yet quiet voice:
— Divorce is what I desire. I’m over all of this.
The wife did not flinch, but she did raise her eyebrows a little.
— Why, sweetheart? “What happened?” she calmly and icily enquired.
With a sigh, the husband started to express what had been accumulating inside of him:
You know, we had nothing when we were married. No money, no house. I drove a wrecked car and we slept on a creaking bed. However, I was accompanied by a stunning young lady. We now own a new car, a two-story house, and pricey furniture, yet there is an elderly, obese woman next to me. I’m worn out. I want to have fun.
He anticipated accusations, tears, and screams. A scene that would validate his choice was what he was waiting for. Instead, his wife gave him a composed gaze, even a small smile.
Her response astounded him 
“All right, sweetheart,” she said with assurance. — Seek out a youthful, attractive, well-groomed woman with a flawless figure. I’m not going to stop you. And I’ll do all in my power to get you rid of this house, the fancy car, and the new furniture. I’ll take you back to the life we began. You’ll drive a rusty automobile and sleep on a creaky bed. And my lawyer will tell you the rest.
The spouse was surprised. He hadn’t anticipated this kind of response. Doubt flared in his eyes and his face went pale.
He felt like he had lost for the first time in a long time—not in life or business, but in a straightforward discussion with the lady he had always viewed as weak and predictable.
His voice trailed off, “You—you’re serious?”
His wife responded, “More than ever,” and stepped back from him, dancing by herself as though with an unseen companion.
Stunned by her resolve, the man stood in the center of the hallway.
