The night of a chilly October turned Arinas world upside down. She stood at the doorway of the house she once called home, a hastily stuffed bag in her hands, while her motherinlaws piercing shout still rang in her ears:
Get out of my house! And never set foot here again!
A decade of marriage collapsed in a single evening.
Arina could not understand how Sergeiher husbandcould simply look down and stay silent as his mother expelled her. It began with another tirade from the older woman, this time about a poorly made borscht:
You cant even cook! What kind of wife are you? And you wont even give us grandchildren!
Mom, calm down, Sergei muttered, but his mother pressed on:
No, son, I wont stand by while this useless girl ruins your life. Chooseher or me!
Arina held her breath, waiting for Sergei to defend her. Instead, he spread his hands helplessly.
Arina, maybe you should stay somewhere else for a whilestay with friends, think it over.
Now, outside with only five thousand rubles in her purse and a phone full of numbers she hadnt dialed in years, Arina felt the floor give way. Her whole existence had revolved around that house, her husband, and his mother.
She drifted down the street, unaware of the drizzle and the cold. The streetlamp flickered on the wet pavement while a few passersby hurried for shelter, yet everything seemed distantunreal.
**A New Beginning**
The first weeks merged into an endless gray blur. Katya, an old friend, offered her a couch, but it was only temporary.
You need a job, Katya urged. Anythingjust to get back on your feet.
Arina took a waitressing job at a small café: twelvehour shifts, sore legs, the cloying aroma of food. Yet work left no room for tears.
One quiet evening a man in his forties walked in, ordered only coffee, and chose a back table. When Arina served him, he said gently:
Your eyes look sad. Forgive me, but you dont belong here.
She was about to retort, but to her surprise she sat down. That was how she met Mikhail.
I run a modest chain of shops, he explained. I need a capable administrator. We could discuss it tomorrow, somewhere more comfortable.
Why would you offer a stranger a job? she asked.
Because I see intelligenceand couragein your eyes, he smiled. You just havent recognized it yet.
**From Café Floor to Corner Office**
The offer turned out to be real. A week later Arina was learning invoices and staff schedules instead of balancing trays. She stumbled at first, but Mikhail proved a patient mentor.
Youre talentedjust crushed by other peoples opinions. Dont think I cant; ask How can I do this better?
Gradually, she changed.
Youre smiling nowreally smiling, Mikhail noted one day. He was right.
A year later she managed three shops. Profits rose; the staff respected her. Over dinner one evening, Mikhail squeezed her hand:
Arina, you mean more to me than a colleague.
She pulled back gently: Im grateful, but Im still finding myself.
He nodded: Ill wait. Youre no longer the frightened girl I met.
**Finding Herself**
Now she wore tailored suits, drove her own car, and spoke confidently with business partners.
The strangest part? she told Mikhail. Im not angry at my ex or his mother anymore. Theyre just silhouettes from an old dream.
The holidays approached alongside the opening of another store. After a morning briefing, Katya called:
Bosslady, when can we meet?
This weekendat the café where I used to work.
Katya studied her over cappuccinos. Youre different inside, she said. And Mikhail? Arina hesitated; the line between business and something deeper was thin.
Im scared, she admitted. What if I lose myself in a man again?
Nonsense, Katya replied. He values the woman youve become.
That night, after successful negotiations, Arina and Mikhail were alone in the restaurant.
You were brilliant, he said. Offering you that job was the best gamble of my life.
Their eyes locked; her heart raced. Perhaps Katya was right.
**Successand a Question**
The new store opened on schedule. Back in her office, a knock sounded: Mikhail, holding a bouquet of peoniesher favorite.
To our success, he said. Lets have dinnerjust you and me.
In a quiet oldtown bistro he spoke of humble beginnings, a failed marriage, and stubborn selfbelief. She talked about her smalltown childhoodand the fear of losing herself again.
Taking her hand, he said:
Im in love with you. Not the managerthe woman you are.
Her phone rang: delivery issues. Mikhail covered her hand.
No work tonight. Your deputy can handle it.
For the first time in a long while, she relaxed. They talked about books, travel, dreams. Outside, soft December snow fell. He draped his jacket over her shoulders.
Lets go to the seatomorrow. Do something crazy.
**Storm by the Shore**
The next morning they flew south. Sochi greeted them with rain and an empty promenade.
The sea is never the samelike life, Mikhail said.
Two days passed in walks, mulled wine, confessions. She realized true love strengthens rather than weakens.
On their last night a storm battered the coast. Wind tugged at their clothes. Mikhail drew her close:
Marry me.
She froze.
Its suddenI know. But I dont want another day without you.
From that moment on, their lives became one.
