Anastasia was setting up buns, taking her usual place behind the counter. The scent of baked goods filled the small shop. Nastya liked working in the residential area of Yekaterinburg. This store was more than just a business for Anastasia; it was a legacy inherited from her parents.
The bell above the entrance door jingled, and an elderly woman entered.
«Good morning, Anna Petrovna!» Anastasia smiled. «The usual, a loaf of Borodinsky bread and a pack of cottage cheese?»
«Oh, Nastenka,» the old lady sighed. «You always remember what I need. That’s why I love your little shop—it always feels like home here.»
Anastasia took pride in knowing almost all the regular customers by name. For many local residents, this was more than just a grocery store. Here, people gathered to discuss recent events, catch up on news, and more.
When the morning rush subsided, Anastasia sat down on a chair and pondered. Today was the anniversary of her parents’ death. Three years ago, they died in a car accident, and Anastasia inherited the shop. She vividly remembered how her father taught her bookkeeping and her mother taught her how to arrange goods on shelves. Even then, her parents were preparing her for adult life.
Suddenly, her phone rang, pulling Anastasia from her memories. Her husband’s name lit up the screen.
«Hello, Vitya,» she answered.
«Nastya, what time are you getting off today?» Victor’s voice sounded unusually spirited.
«As usual, at seven. Why?»
«Great! I have a surprise for you. Let’s meet at our favorite little restaurant at eight, okay?»
Anastasia smiled. Despite being married for three years, Victor still knew how to surprise her.
«Okay, I’ll look forward to it.»
Putting down the phone, Anastasia returned to work, but her thoughts kept drifting to the evening ahead.
«What surprise has Victor prepared? Maybe he finally found a job?»
For several months, Vitya had been at home, developing a business plan for a startup. Nastya supported her husband as best as she could. But she was starting to worry about the family’s financial situation.
In the restaurant, Anastasia immediately noticed Victor. He was sitting at the far table, fiddling with a wine glass.
«Hello, dear,» Anastasia kissed her husband on the cheek. «So, tell me, what’s the surprise?»
Victor smiled broadly:
«Nastya, I finally found an investor for my startup!»
Anastasia joyfully clapped her hands:
«Vitya, that’s wonderful! Congratulations!»
«Yes,» nodded Victor. «But there’s one catch. To show my seriousness…,» he hesitated, watching his wife’s reaction. «I also need to invest. Basically, we need a starting sum. I thought…»
Anastasia tensed. She already guessed where her husband was leading.
«Maybe we should sell your shop?» blurted Victor. «Invest the money in my project, and we’ll be millionaires in a year or two!»
Anastasia felt a chill inside. Sell the shop? The only memory of her parents? The only thing that was bringing income?
«Vitya, are you out of your mind! You know what this shop means to me,» she said quietly.
«Come on, Nastya!» Victor waved his hand. «It’s just a building and goods. But we have a real chance to get rich!»
Anastasia shook her head:
«No, Vitya. I can’t. This shop is not just a business, it’s a memory of my parents, a part of me. I already have stability and reputation. Is your project really more important than what I do?»
Victor frowned:
«Alright, let’s at least discuss this at home. Take a look at the business plan! Then you’ll understand the prospects we have!»
Anastasia reluctantly agreed, feeling it was a bad idea.
The following weeks turned into a nightmare. Victor constantly talked about his project, persuading his wife of the need to sell the shop. He presented numbers, drew charts, promised golden mountains.
«Nastya, understand, the little shop is outdated,» said Victor. «But my project is a step into the future. Imagine, we’ll have our own network across Russia.»
But the more her husband pressed and insisted, the more Nastya resisted. Something in Vitya’s words alarmed Anastasia. And her husband’s behavior had changed. Victor became irritable, explosive. He often whispered on the phone and locked himself in the office.
One day, Nastya accidentally overheard Vitya’s conversation.
«Don’t worry, Kolyan,» Victor was saying. «Everything’s going according to plan. This fool will soon agree to sell the shop. Then we’ll quickly get a divorce, and the money will be ours.»
Anastasia froze, unable to believe her ears. Her heart pounded fiercely, and one thought hammered in her head: «How could he? How could he do this to me?»
Gathering all her willpower, Anastasia quietly went to the bedroom and locked herself there. She needed time to come to her senses and decide what to do next.
The following days Anastasia spent as if in a haze. She mechanically performed her work in the shop, smiled at customers, but inside, a storm of emotions raged. Nastya was overwhelmed by anger and disappointment. And then Anastasia wanted revenge.
Vitya didn’t notice any changes in his wife’s behavior. He continued to build castles in the air, describing how they would benefit from selling the little shop.
«Nastya, think about it,» he said at dinner. «Why do we need this small shop when we could have an entire network? You’d manage all of it, not just stand behind a counter.»
Anastasia nodded silently, already devising a plan. The wife decided to play along, to buy time and protect the shop.
«You know, Vitya,» she said the next day. «You were right about the shop.»
Victor beamed:
«Really? You agree to sell it?»
«Well, not quite,» Anastasia paused. «I thought, maybe we should register the shop in both our names? To develop the business together?»
Victor momentarily lost his composure but quickly regained control:
«That’s… an excellent idea, dear! I knew you’d understand!»
He hugged Anastasia, and she forced herself to smile, feeling a tightening inside.
«Let’s start the paperwork tomorrow,» Victor suggested.
«Of course, darling,» Anastasia replied. «I’ll organize everything myself.»
The next day, Anastasia indeed went to a lawyer, but not for the documents Victor expected. She began preparing papers to protect her property in case of divorce.
In the evening, returning home, Anastasia found Victor talking on the phone. He quickly ended the conversation, seeing his wife.
«How’s it going, dear?» he asked, trying to appear casual. «Did you manage to deal with the documents?»
Anastasia nodded:
«Yes, everything’s going according to plan. Soon our shop will be the beginning of something bigger,» she smiled, trying to make her voice sound sincere.
Victor beamed:
«I knew you’d understand! We’ll move mountains together!»
Anastasia nodded, internally preparing for a prolonged battle.
Nastya met with a family law attorney in a cafe.
«The situation is complicated, but there is a way out,» concluded Elena Sergeevna. «You’ll have to act quickly. But in such a way that it doesn’t raise suspicions in your husband.»
The lawyer advised Nastya to gather all documents proving that the shop was inherited. It was also important to take care of a will. Even in unforeseen circumstances, the shop shouldn’t fall into Vitya’s hands!
«And what about a joint account?» asked Anastasia. «Victor will probably suggest it soon.»
«If you agree to a joint account, insist on separate management,» advised Elena Sergeevna. «And don’t even think about signing anything! First, consult with me. I’ll be in touch!»
Armed with new knowledge, Anastasia returned home. As she anticipated, Victor brought up finances in the evening.
«Nastya, I’ve been thinking,» he began in a pretentiously casual tone, «maybe we should merge our finances? Open a joint account for business development?»
Anastasia pretended to ponder:
«You know, that’s an interesting idea. Let’s discuss the details tomorrow? I’m a bit tired today.»
Victor agreed, since his wife hadn’t rejected the offer.
The next day at the bank, Nastya opened a new personal account, which she didn’t tell Vitya about. Part of the income from the little shop went there. Only minimal expenses remained in the main account.
In the evening, when Victor again talked about a joint account, Anastasia agreed, but with a condition:
«Let’s do it this way: we’ll open a joint account, but each of us will have the right to manage only our part of the deposit. That would be fair, right?»
Victor frowned:
«But why all these complications? We’re a family. Relationships should be built on trust.»
«Of course, dear,» smiled Anastasia. «But you yourself said we need to be cautious in business. Let’s start with this, and then we’ll see.»
Victor reluctantly agreed, not to raise suspicions.
Anastasia focused on protecting the business. She checked all documents, all contracts were registered in her name. Nastya made sure that Vitya had no relation to the shop. Everything was documented.
Victor became increasingly careless. He believed in the «perfect plan.» He often shared with Nastya plans for «their» future. Vitya didn’t know that Nastya already knew everything.
«Imagine, in a year we’ll already have our own network! Many branches not only in the city but also beyond!»
Anastasia nodded and smiled, supporting the conversation, but internally preparing for the decisive moment.
That moment came two weeks later. Victor came home with papers for signing.
«Nastya, I’ve prepared documents to transfer your inheritance to our joint account,» he said, spreading the papers on the table. «Let’s sign them, and start a new chapter in our life!»
Anastasia took the documents, pretending to study them carefully. Then she looked up at her husband and calmly said:
«Victor, I know about your plans to divorce me and take my business.»
Victor turned pale:
«What? What are you talking about?»
«I heard your conversation with Nikolai,» replied Anastasia. «You called me a ‘fool’ and discussed how to quickly arrange a divorce after selling the shop.»
Victor tried to justify himself:
«Nastya, you misunderstood! It was just a joke…»
«Stop lying, Victor,» Anastasia interrupted him. «I know everything. And I won’t let you take what belongs to me and my family.»
With those words, she took out another set of documents from her bag:
«Here are the papers for the divorce and property division. The shop remains entirely mine, as it was before our marriage. You can take everything we’ve earned together over these three years.»
Victor stared at his wife in shock:
«You… you’ve been pretending all this time?»
«I learned from the best,» Anastasia bitterly smiled. «From you.»
Victor tried to argue, but Anastasia stopped him:
«Don’t bother. I’ve already consulted with a lawyer. All documents are in order, and you can’t claim my business.»
Victor slumped into a chair, realizing his plan had completely failed.
«What now?» he asked in a fallen voice.
«Now you’ll sign these papers and leave,» Anastasia stated firmly. «I’ll give you a week to pack your things and find a new place to live.»
Victor silently signed the documents. When he looked up at Anastasia, his eyes showed surprise and even something resembling respect:
«I underestimated you, Nastya.»
«That was your main mistake,» Anastasia replied, opening the front door.
After Victor left, Anastasia felt a strange emptiness. Three years of marriage, which seemed happy, turned out to be a lie. But along with the bitterness came a sense of relief—she was now free from manipulation and deceit.
The next day, Anastasia came to the shop earlier than usual. She walked between the familiar shelves, inhaling the scent of fresh bread and coffee. This was her world, her legacy, and she had managed to protect it.
Anna Petrovna, stopping by for fresh cottage cheese, immediately noticed a change in the owner’s mood:
«Nastenka, is everything alright? You look a bit tired.»
Anastasia smiled:
«Everything’s fine, Anna Petrovna. Just… starting a new chapter in life.»
«Well, well,» the old lady nodded. «Just make sure our shop doesn’t go anywhere. We’ve gotten used to it.»
«Don’t worry,» Anastasia said sharply. «The shop isn’t going anywhere. On the contrary, I’ll make it even better!»
Anastasia fully immersed herself in work. The shop’s interior was updated, the range of products expanded, and farm products added. Nastya introduced grocery delivery for the elderly. Local residents grew to love Anastasia even more.
The business thrived, and Nastya was over the moon with happiness. After all, Anastasia had found her calling. She wasn’t just selling products. Anastasia managed to create a place where all local residents felt comfortable and could socialize.
One day, Nastya was sorting through old photos. She accidentally came across a picture where she posed with her parents at the newly opened shop. That day, the whole family hoped the business wouldn’t fail but would bring happiness and stability.
«Thank you,» Nastya stroked the photo, «I managed to keep the little shop afloat. And I’ll do everything to make your business live and grow.»
In the evening, Nastya was finishing closing the shop. She saw her reflection in the window. Anastasia saw a strong, self-sufficient girl. She had gone through pain, humiliation, and betrayal. But Nastya coped with everything and became stronger.
«It seems I’ve grown up,» Anastasia cheerfully murmured.
Nastya locked the door and headed home. New events and adventures awaited her. Anastasia eagerly anticipated seeing what fate had prepared for her.
Half a year later, Nastya accidentally ran into her ex. Vitya looked worse.
«Hello, Nastya,» Victor said uncertainly. «How are you?»
«Good. And you?»
Victor shrugged:
«Been better. You know, I… I wanted to apologize. You were right about me.»
Anastasia looked closely at her ex-husband:
«Thank you for the apology, Vitya. I hope you’ve learned a lesson from this story.»
«Yes, I have,» nodded Victor. «You taught me that honesty and hard work are more important than any schemes and machinations.»
Anastasia smiled:
«Glad to hear that. Good luck, Vitya.»
Anastasia sighed with relief when her ex-husband left. The past had let go of Nastya; she was ready to move forward.
The girl took on work with renewed vigor. Nastya had many plans. And now she believed that everything would work out. Anastasia smiled. Life continued.
