Anna, don’t forget to check the revenue before you leave,» Margarita Ivanovna’s voice echoed from the corner.
«Of course, I’ll check,» Anna automatically responded, wiping the glass surface of the display case.
She had worked at this household appliance store for five years. Each workday repeated itself like clockwork: opening, serving customers, explaining discount terms, processing purchases, and the final cash tally before the end of the shift. Then, the path to her rented apartment on the outskirts of the city.
The girl’s existence was monotonous but by no means carefree. Her salary barely covered basic needs, and every month she pondered, «What if there isn’t enough money next month?»
«Anna, I’m seriously considering firing you! The windows are dirty again!»
She only rolled her eyes but still put on a friendly face.
«I’ve already done it, Margarita Ivanovna.»
«Well done,» her boss nodded approvingly and retreated to her private room.
Anna sighed heavily. Several customers remained in the sales area. A married couple was deciding on a microwave, and a middle-aged man was closely examining a collection of electric kettles.
«Need help?» Anna asked with her usual courtesy.
«No, just looking,» he dismissed her.
Fine then.
Again, her gaze slipped to the clock. Very little time remained until the end of the workday. Thoughts of everyday tasks circulated in her mind—buy bread on the way home and something for dinner.
How predictable everything was…
She was deaf to miracles. From childhood, she knew: you can only rely on yourself.
But that night, something special happened.
«Anna, are you economizing on yourself again?» her neighbor on the floor asked disapprovingly as the girl ascended the stairs with just a small bag containing only bread and kefir.
«Everything is fine, Valentina Petrovna, I have buckwheat at home,» Anna smiled.
«Just stop it! You’re young, and you eat like an old lady!» the neighbor sighed and dismissed it.
Anna just shrugged her shoulders and entered her apartment. She had long been accustomed to such remarks.
Loneliness had become her constant companion. Her parents had passed away long ago, friends had scattered in all directions—some had started families, others had built careers, and some simply lost interest in communicating with a «simple saleswoman.» As for her personal life, the first boyfriend fled upon learning of her lack of wealthy parents, and the second turned out to be married.
But Anna didn’t complain. She had her own pride. She never asked for help from others and did not accept it.
She quickly changed clothes, turned on the kettle, and settled by the window.
Snowflakes slowly fell outside, swirling in the rays of the street lamps.
«All this nonsense… miracles… fairy tales…» she muttered under her breath, warming her hands with a hot cup.
Life had taught her a simple truth: if you don’t support yourself—no one will come to help. In this world, everyone is for themselves.
But she didn’t even guess that this night everything would change.
Making her way home through the dark courtyard, she wrapped her coat tighter. The wind painfully slapped her face, and the silence pressed on her ears. This area couldn’t be called safe, but she saw no other option—the path through the courtyards saved significant time.
Suddenly, her steps slowed.
To the right, in the depths of the courtyard by the wall of garages, something was happening. She listened.
«Just trying to run won’t work, you scum!» a hoarse voice sounded.
«Give the watch here, quick!» another voice, higher and sharper, echoed.
She strained her eyes in the darkness.
Two men surrounded a third, dressed in an elegant suit. He weakly tried to fend them off, but it was clear—he had no fighting skills. One of the attackers grabbed his shoulders, the other yanked a shiny adornment on his wrist.
«What madness?» Anna whispered angrily.
The man tried to break free but received a punch to the stomach and fell to his knees, breathing heavily.
If they continued, they might seriously hurt him…
Her heart pounded like mad. Two opposing desires battled in her mind: Walk by, it’s none of your business! and You can’t leave a person to be torn apart!
She took a decisive step forward.
And suddenly her voice rang out across the courtyard:
«Hey! The police are already here! Get lost while you’re intact!»
The robbers froze for a second, looking at each other.
«What the hell?!» one growled, but notes of fear appeared in his voice.
Anna’s fingers trembled as she pulled her phone from her pocket and activated a sound siren. The loud wail echoed between the houses.
«Damn it! Let’s get out of here!»
One ran off, but the second, the one holding the trophy, hesitated.
«Are you an idiot?!»
Anna didn’t allow him to linger. Nearby lay an old wooden stick, perhaps a remnant of garden equipment. She grabbed it and swung it with all her might, striking the man on the back.
«Aaaah…» he growled, releasing the valuable item from his fingers.
The adornment fell to the asphalt with a metallic clang.
The hesitant robber shot her an angry look, but at that moment his accomplice pulled him away.
«Run, you fool!»
They dissolved into the darkness.
Anna gasped, feeling her hands shake.
Behind her, a deep sigh sounded.
The man in the elegant suit slowly sank to his knees, supporting himself with his hands on the ground. His lip was split, his face had taken on a painful pallor. He tried to catch his breath, but it was clear—his strength was nearly gone.
She cautiously approached closer.
«Are… Are you alright?»
Anna leaned over the man, trying to discern his features in the half-darkness. The elegant suit was crumpled, his cheek reddened from the fresh blow, and his lip bled. But what struck her most were his eyes—heavy, filled with some indescribable pain. It seemed he had already endured many trials, and this scuffle was just a small part of his real troubles.
«Do you need medical help?» she asked, sitting next to him and watching him closely.
The man wiped the blood from his lip with his sleeve, wincing slightly.
«No, it’s okay.»
«Okay?!» she exclaimed. «You were just attacked! We need to call the police!»
He jerked up.
«No need.»
Anna frowned.
«Why? They could have killed you!»
«But they didn’t.»
Something in his tone alarmed her.
«You… » she hesitated. «Are you refusing the police because… you’re involved in something illegal?»
The man slowly inhaled, picked up his property from the ground, and tucked it into his pocket.
«I just don’t want unnecessary questions.»
Anna squinted suspiciously.
«So, either you’ve committed a crime, or you’re a too confident rich man who thinks he’s above the law.»
A shadow of a smile appeared at the corners of his lips.
«You could have just walked by. Why didn’t you?»
She shrugged.
«I’m not like that.»
He nodded as if memorizing her words.
«And yet…» she peered intently at him. «Who are you?»
He squinted slightly, then slowly stood up, brushing the dust off himself.
«Just a man who was lucky to meet you tonight.»
And before she could respond, he turned and loudly said:
«Thank you. I will definitely return!»
And he disappeared into the darkness, leaving her standing in the night with a racing heart.
In the morning, Anna woke up with a slight sense of anxiety. Memories of the nighttime incident immediately surfaced in her mind, demanding attention. She sat up abruptly in bed, trying to understand: did all this really happen or did she just imagine it?
But no. On her jacket, thrown over the chair, traces of dirt were still visible, and a small scratch adorned her palm—a reminder of how she had grabbed that stick.
It really happened.
The memory of the stranger made her jump up.
«He was injured…» she murmured, heading to the kitchen.
Her thoughts kept returning to his last words:
«Thank you. I will definitely return!»
As if there was some special meaning in that phrase.
«Will he return?» she whispered to herself.
Who was he? Why did he leave so hastily? And why did he not want his rescue to be known?
Anna clenched her fists and took a deep breath.
«Let him do what he wants.»
She tried to push his image from her thoughts.
A week passed. Then another. And then a whole month.
No news. No signs.
And Anna almost convinced herself: he was just a random person who disappeared as suddenly as he appeared.
Days flowed monotonously. Initially, Anna noticed how she involuntarily looked around as she left the store, listened for footsteps behind her in the evenings. She even peeked into the courtyard where the scuffle had occurred several times, as if hoping to accidentally meet him.
But time passed, weeks turned into a month, and everything remained unchanged.
No news. No mysterious notes.
He simply vanished.
And with each day, Anna became more convinced: it meant nothing.
Probably, he was connected to criminal circles—perhaps involved in illegal activities, since he was so afraid of the police. Or maybe just a rich man who decided to test himself without the usual security, and he was lucky that she was there.
Either way, he disappeared.
And that meant nothing had changed.
The same job, the same rented apartment, the same prices in stores, the same financial difficulties.
So Anna decided to finally forget about him.
Forever.
The day went on like all the previous ones. Anna sat at the cash register, absentmindedly scrolling through the list of goods. The store was quiet—rare customers moved between the displays, examining the products, but no one was in a hurry to make purchases.
«Anna, don’t dawdle, get to work!» Margarita Ivanovna snapped as she passed by.
Anna only rolled her eyes but nevertheless looked up.
And froze.
There he stood in the doorway.
In a flawless suit, without a single spot, with expensive watches on his wrist. His posture was perfect, his movements were precise and confident.
But those were the same eyes.
The same depth in his gaze, the same tension, as if he had long made an important decision for himself.
Anna gripped the edge of the cash register harder.
He slowly approached her, continuing to watch attentively.
«I’m waiting for your answer.»
She blinked.
«Answer to what?»
He paused, as if deliberately dragging out the moment.
«Marry me.»
Anna struggled to comprehend what he had just said.
And then… she laughed.
«You’re insane!»
«I’m absolutely serious.»
In his eyes, there was not a hint of joking. No shadow of a smile. Only iron certainty.
Anna felt a shiver run down her spine.
She stared intently at his face again.
This man…
He was absolutely serious.
Anna slowly removed her hands from the cash register, trying to make sense of what was happening.
«Are you really proposing this?» she finally squeezed out, staring into his eyes.
«Absolutely serious.»
«But why? Who are you?»
The man slightly tilted his head, as if he had anticipated this question.
«Alexey Gromov.»
Anna frowned—the name sparked no associations.
«And should that mean something to me?»
He leaned in closer.
«I own the largest construction corporation in the country.»
She blinked in surprise.
«And?»
«I am considered one of the most secretive businessmen. I don’t give interviews, don’t appear at social events. You can rarely find me in public places.»
«So?» Anna crossed her arms over her chest.
«But you saw me as I am.»
She felt a new chill on her skin.
«That’s why you refused the police…» she realized.
He confirmed with a nod.
«I didn’t want unnecessary attention. That night I was without my security service. My companions disappeared at the first sign of danger. You were the only one who didn’t turn away.»
Anna pondered.
«I grew up in an orphanage,» he continued in a calm tone. «No one was waiting for me, no one helped. Everything I have, I created with my own hands. In my life, I’ve seen betrayal, deceit, and fraud. This taught me not to trust anyone.»
She attentively followed his words.
«And now you’ve decided that I’m the only honest woman in your life and therefore must immediately marry?»
He slowly exhaled, as if considering whether to reveal more of his thoughts.
«I don’t believe in love, Anna. But I am sure you won’t betray.»
Anna barely held back a laugh.
«What a wonderful compliment!»
«I don’t give compliments. I make proposals.»
And there was something in his look that made her realize—he really wouldn’t back down.
Anna crossed her arms, feeling everything inside turn upside down.
«So, you were just accidentally without security that night?»
Alexey nodded.
«Yes. It’s a rare occurrence, but sometimes necessary. I don’t like being babysat like a child. Sometimes I just need to go out and feel like a living person, not locked in a golden cage.»
«And how? Did it work?» she smirked.
He paused.
«More than.»
Anna tried to fit all the pieces of the puzzle into a coherent picture.
«And your so-called ‘friends’? Were they with you?»
«They were. Until the first punch.»
Anna froze.
«They just ran away?»
«Quickly and without looking back.»
She felt his inner tension, as if this memory harbored a special pain.
«So, you trust no one.»
He looked into her eyes for a long time.
«Almost no one.»
Anna frowned.
«Almost?»
«You didn’t know me, but you still reached out to help. Without profit, without fear, just because you can’t pass by someone else’s sorrow.»
She remained silent.
«In my life, many people have spoken beautiful words, smiled, promised to be there. But as soon as a trial occurred, they were gone. I’ve encountered lies, betrayal, and greed too often. I don’t believe in love because I know—most often, it’s just an illusion.»
Anna studied his face intently.
«And what did you find in me?»
He allowed himself a slight smile.
«Directness. Honesty. You don’t try to be pleasant. You don’t look for personal gain. You don’t play games. And I’ve lived too long among falsehood.»
His voice sounded even, but his eyes revealed deep fatigue.
Anna suddenly felt something stir inside.
But she couldn’t yet anticipate where this would lead.
News of Alexey Gromov’s marriage spread through the media with thunderous speed.
«Who is she?»
«A gold digger? Or a scam artist?»
«Gromov has lost his mind!»
Newspaper headlines were full of loud accusations, and social media exploded with comments.
«Have you seen? Gromov got married!»
«To a simple saleswoman! Unbelievable, what is he thinking?»
«It’s clear as day—she calculated him. He fell in love, and she took advantage of the moment!»
Journalists began digging into her past, publishing photos of her previous residence, the store where she worked.
«Here’s your new Cinderella 2.0! I wonder how long she’ll last?»
Alexey’s closest circle reacted predictably.
«You’re playing a fairy tale, Alexey.»
«She’s just interested in your capital! Do you really believe she loves you?»
«As soon as she realizes you won’t provide her with luxury, she’ll leave.»
Anna read all these attacks and felt righteous anger boiling inside.
«They think I’m with you just for the money,» she said to Alexey, putting down her phone again.
He calmly watched her, holding a cup of coffee.
«And? Does that bother you?»
She looked at him in surprise.
«Are you serious? They all wait for me to make a mistake that will confirm their theories!»
«Let them wait.»
«How can you be so indifferent?»
He allowed himself a slight smile.
«I’ve been used to this for a long time, Anna. I’ve been called a predator, a soulless businessman, even a devil. Now let them call you a fortune hunter. It’s just words.»
«For you—yes! But for me, this is real life, from which there is now no escape!»
Alexey put down the cup and took a step forward.
«You can leave right now if you want. The door is always open.»
Anna froze, feeling everything inside tighten.
«Do you really think that?»
«No.» His gaze was firm. «I’m sure you’re stronger than them.»
The media continued their pressure.
Reporters besieged her near the house, the store, even the supermarket when she tried to make ordinary purchases. Cameras, flashes, questions—they thirsted for any mistake she might make.
«Anna, what’s it like being the wife of a billionaire?»
«Is there a prenup?»
«Is it true that Alexey covered your debts?»
She silently made her way through the crowd of journalists, trying to ignore the lenses.
Social media also boiled.
«Another gold digger, money hunter!»
«Look how modest she is! Of course, she worked as a saleswoman before marriage!»
«I bet he’ll dump her in six months.»
Anna experienced for the first time in her life the feeling of an animal cornered.
They dug up everything: that she lived in rented housing, didn’t have a higher education, worked as a simple saleswoman, never had expensive things.
«How do they even find all this information?» she whispered to Alexey, hiding in the shadow of his enormous office.
«It’s their job,» he replied unflappably.
«They’re studying me as if I’m a criminal!»
«Do you believe that?»
Anna fell silent.
«Anna, the only goal of these people is to make you doubt yourself.»
She met his gaze.
«And they’re succeeding.»
Alexey approached and, leaning down, quietly but firmly said:
«You don’t have to justify yourself. Let them talk. The only thing that matters is that we know the truth.»
But Anna was not sure she could withstand this hell.
Anna opened the drawer and found three gold credit cards inside.
She frowned.
«What’s this?» she asked, turning to Alexey.
He sipped his coffee indifferently, as if nothing special was happening.
«Credit cards. Now they’re at your disposal.»
Anna blinked in surprise.
«Are you mocking me?»
«No. You no longer have to worry about finances. Take whatever you wish, spend as much as needed.»
She slowly closed the drawer.
«I don’t want this.»
Alexey finally paid attention to her.
«Why?»
«Because I’m not your toy!»
He placed the cup on the table.
«Then who are you? You agreed to this marriage.»
Anna felt everything inside boiling.
«I agreed to be your wife, not a showcase for your wealth!»
He leaned forward, his voice remaining even, but something unsettling flickered in his eyes.
«You mean to say that money itself is evil?»
«I want to emphasize that I’m not selling myself for any goods!»
A tense silence hung between them.
Anna took a deep breath and turned to the window.
«I used to live very differently, Alexey. Now I feel locked in a golden cage. I don’t even understand who I am here. And I’m not sure I want to find out.»
He silently watched her.
And for the first time, she wondered: is her freedom now measured precisely by this?
Anna stood by the window, watching as evening twilight slowly gathered. The room was absolutely silent. Alexey sat in a chair, holding a glass with an amber liquid, but he almost didn’t touch it.
She turned to him.
«I don’t understand you,» she said quietly.
«That’s not news to me.»
She sighed and took a step closer.
«You give me unlimited financial opportunities, surrounded me with luxury, but yourself… You keep me at a distance. You don’t trust me. Have you ever trusted anyone?»
Alexey silently stared at the glass, deciding whether to open his soul.
Finally, he spoke.
«I grew up in an orphanage.»
Anna froze.
«My parents abandoned me when I was three. My mother just left me at the hospital, and my father didn’t even try to take me. I was extra. An unwanted child, discarded.»
She found no words.
«What about your family? Have you ever seen them?»
Alexey allowed himself a bitter smile.
«When I grew up and earned my first money, my biological brother suddenly remembered me. He came, smiled, said that we were family. I believed him. He said he wanted to start a business, and I gave him the funds.»
Anna felt everything inside clench.
«And what happened?»
«A month later, he disappeared along with the entire amount. Just vanished.»
She shook her head.
«Did you find him?»
«Of course. He was already spending my money on expensive toys and entertainment. I didn’t demand a return. I just erased him from my life. For me, he died.»
Anna sat opposite him, not looking away.
«Was there anyone else?»
He smiled again, but there was no joy in that smile.
«There was a woman. I thought I loved her. Thought she could change me. But as soon as I faced difficulties in business, she left. Not just left—she went to my main opponent. For her, I was just a convenient step.
