Each of us has that inner voice — not loud, but persistent. It whispers quietly, almost unnoticed, yet it knows the truth. Alina had such a voice too. And for several months now, it had been telling her:
— Don’t. You’ll ruin everything again. Why can’t you just relax and be happy?
But she didn’t listen. As usual.
Her friends, as always, were nearby — and, as always, they didn’t give her a chance to hear that voice. They nagged her from morning till night:
— Just dump him, Alyonka! You don’t need him at all. He’s only interested in your money!
Alina nodded. Let it be so. It was easier to believe them than to listen to herself.
And her father? Anatoly Alexandrovich — a sensible man, an experienced businessman, and a caring parent — was silent. Silent for a long time, watching his daughter from the sidelines, as if waiting for her to realize herself that something was wrong. But one day, he couldn’t hold back:
— Listen, aren’t you afraid Pasha will be hurt if he finds out about your games? He won’t forgive you…
— Oh, Dad, you’re such a kid! Who refuses money? If he loves me — he’ll be happy to get a bonus, — Alina snorted, adjusting her expensive bag on her shoulder.
Her father shook his head:
— I don’t know… The guy didn’t seem like someone who’d tolerate someone else’s rules just for money.
— Yeah, and Oleg “didn’t seem like that” too, — she flared up. — And then he turned out to be a jerk!
Anatoly Alexandrovich sighed:
— Well, of course, no one can put everyone in the same basket, except you. You’re a smart girl, you should understand that.
— I understand… — she thought. — But then what should I do? What if it’s the same here? I trusted Oleg like myself…
Her father hugged her like when she was a child running to him after some hurt or a scrape. He kissed the top of her head:
— Do what you think is right. Just remember one thing: if anyone dares to hurt you — I’ll deal with them.
— I know, Daddy. But I’m a big girl now. I can handle it myself.
And so she came up with a plan! A true female trap. One that no man could fall into twice. Alina was sure: if Pasha was really genuine, he would pass the test. If not — then to hell with him.
She got in the car and drove to the village — to find a suitable place for her little play. She found it quickly: an old house, abandoned, overgrown with grass, but with a good foundation. A couple of hours of work by local craftsmen — and it looked like a livable place. Alina paid generously and, pleased, inspected the result.
— Damn, people really live like this… Can you imagine? — said Ninka, her best friend, with a slight touch of envy and bewilderment.
Alina laughed — nervously, with a hint of bitterness:
— What’s wrong? It’s beautiful! Look out the window — nature, fresh air… Isn’t it a dream?
— It’s beautiful, sure, but only to look at — then run back to civilization.
— Oh, Ninka, what a play I’ve started…
On the way home, Alina remembered Oleg again. God, how foolish she had been! She had already chosen a wedding dress, walked around happy, glowing with joy. Then she forgot a folder with documents at home and came back after ten minutes. And she heard him.
Oleg was chatting on the phone with a friend, pacing the room:
— You have no idea how I force myself to sleep with her! But as soon as I think about her money — everything falls into place, ha-ha! And you know what’s the funniest? When she leaves, I massage my face with my hands — wiping off that idiotic lovestruck expression. Can’t wait for the wedding! Then I’ll say I’m sleeping badly and sleep separately…
He turned around. And saw her.
The phone almost fell from his hands.
— Alin… what are you doing here?
— Listening to how much you love me, — she answered, cold as steel.
— You misunderstood! I wasn’t talking about you!
— Get out. Now.
— Wait, don’t be hasty…
— One more word — I’ll call my father.
Oleg’s face twisted.
— Your father? Of course! Who are you without Daddy, ugly little fool! Who needs you without money?
Then Alina called her father. She cried, gasped, sobbed uncontrollably. Anatoly Alexandrovich came faster than the wind. And Oleg disappeared from the city even faster.
For six months, Alina didn’t leave the house. As if she was sick with something invisible. Then she slowly began to come back to life. Made peace with herself. Decided to herself: «Enough. No more men.»
But a year later, she met Pasha. And it all started…
At first, she didn’t even want to admit to herself that he had caught her attention. That she was drawn to him like a magnet. But over time, she realized: if anyone deserved trust, it was him.
He didn’t even know who her father was. Pasha was different. He didn’t know who Anatoly Alexandrovich Kumarin was — one of the richest men in the city. She purposely wore simple clothes, didn’t carry a penny extra, watched her speech so as not to give herself away.
And one day Pasha said:
— Alin, let’s go to my place! I mean… yours. You promised to show me where you live.
— Of course, — she replied, though her heart clenched.
— I’ll borrow a car from a friend for three days!
— Are you sure? I don’t have a mansion there… And nothing good awaits us.
Pashka hugged her tightly:
— What are you talking about? How can nothing good be there if we’re together? That’s the best thing there is! Everything else — we’ll make ourselves.
Alina closed her eyes, pressing herself to him. Lord, how she wished it was true…
Yesterday they submitted a marriage application. And today she decided to give him one last test.
When Pasha saw the house, his eyes went wide as saucers. Alina tensed inside — now he would say he didn’t want a pauper like that…
— Something wrong? — she barely managed to ask.
— Listen… This house is so much like my grandfather’s house! I feel like I’ve fallen into childhood! Do you have a river nearby?
Alina feverishly tried to recall any river, but Pasha was already out of the car, running around the yard like a child:
— Alinka! We’ll put a gazebo here! And here we’ll lay a path and plant flowers!
She stood smiling, confused, not believing her eyes.
— Uh… where will we get money for all this?
— Where? I’ll earn it! We’ll work all week and come here on weekends. By the time we have a baby, it’ll be beautiful and comfortable!
Alina wanted to laugh and cry at the same time. What if he knew everything? And was just playing her? Or what if not? Then she needed to confess…
— Pash, where are your parents?
— I only have a dad. He’ll come to meet you in a couple of days.
Pasha spent the whole day fixing, planing, dreaming out loud. In the evening, they went fishing, visited the village store — and he paid everywhere.
Alina called her father:
— Dad, come tomorrow. Bring Ninka and my friends.
— So, finally believe in the guy?
— Yes, Dad… I’m such a fool. Pashka is so real… He catches fish, cooks himself. And so tasty!
— Tasty?
— Honestly, I’ve never eaten anything tastier.
Just last night, Pasha was talking out loud about the mortgage, the second job… Alina wanted to tell him everything but couldn’t bring herself to speak. Not now. Maybe never.
Her father and friends came by evening. Pavel, getting out of the car, looked surprised at two huge SUVs by the old village gate:
— This is for us? Someone important?
Alina smiled, a little nervous:
— You’ll meet everyone now!
Anatoly Alexandrovich extended his hand with a friendly smile:
— Hello. I’m the father of this beauty.
Pasha squinted:
— I’ve seen you somewhere…
— When you remember — you’ll tell me! — her father replied lightly, as if he knew the truth was about to catch up with his guest.
Meanwhile, the friends were unloading grills, setting tables, carrying firewood, opening the first bottle. Everything was moving, alive. Alina watched with an unusual feeling inside — she had never felt so good. So… whole.
When everyone sat at the tables, she finally pressed against Pasha. He hugged her warmly but suddenly froze.
— Wait… I remember! You’re the ones… All the factories in the city belong to you! I saw you on a banner!
Anatoly Alexandrovich calmly put his glass on the table:
— Yes, that’s right. Our family owns quite a bit in the city.
— Wait… I don’t understand…
Alina jumped up, heart pounding too fast:
— Pash, I’ll explain everything now! I just wanted to test you… Not to see if you’re with me for money?
She heard herself — how stupid it sounded. But the words escaped before she could stop them.
Pasha lowered his head:
— You probably thought it was funny, hearing about the mortgage and the second job?
— No! Pash, it was nice! It was important to me that you’re willing to work for me, to build something new…
— Nice? Funny? What does it matter… You know, I’ve never felt so… humiliated in my life. And not even because you’re rich. I just remembered what plans I had, what dreams I cherished — and it made me sick to my heart.
He stood up slowly but decisively:
— Sorry, Lina. I love you very much. But it won’t work out. You immediately showed who is who. And reminded me of my place. Sorry.
Without waiting for a response, he packed his things and left. Just took and left — got into an old Audi he borrowed from a friend, started the engine, and disappeared into the dark road.
Alina ran after him, shouting:
— I won’t let you go! I’ll explain everything! I have to say…
But he didn’t even look back.
She stood by the gate, lost. Her father came up and put a hand on her shoulder:
— That’s what I feared. The guy has pride. And character.
— I have to talk to him…
— Not sure it’ll help. Eh, daughter…
She pressed against him, quietly crying, and he stroked her hair — like when she was a child, and the pain felt unbearable, and the world too cruel. He would give everything to protect her, but understood — this time he couldn’t interfere. It would only make things worse.
The next day, they returned to the city. Alina was silent the whole way, staring out the window as if answers to the troubling questions were beyond the glass.
— What will you do? — her father asked, stopping the car at the entrance.
— Nothing. My exams start.
She got out and walked away. Anatoly sighed — he knew her stubbornness. If she said “nothing,” she would remain silent, endure, and not let anyone interfere in her life.
She passed her exams brilliantly. After much persuasion, she agreed to hang out with friends at a café. Suddenly one of the guys shouted:
— Hey, let’s go to that village! Where Alina’s house is! It was so cool there!
— No, I don’t want to, — she cut in immediately.
But these “idiots” had already decided. No one listened to Alina. Ninka practically dragged her to the car:
— Come on! We’ll have a great rest!
When they arrived, Ninka commanded:
— Alin, go home, bring the dishes!
Alina was boiling with anger. She thought, I’ll call a taxi and leave these crazies far behind!
She opened the door, went in… and heard the lock click. She was locked in.
— Hey! What’s going on?! Open up!
— Nice friends you have, — a voice came from inside. — Good ones.
She turned sharply. Pashka was sitting on the old sofa.
— I immediately knew I wasn’t asked to come for nothing, to help with something. When they locked me in, I didn’t even try to break the door down. I guessed they lured you here too.
— I didn’t know! Honestly, I didn’t!
— I don’t think you’re involved. Nina told me everything on the way. Why you did this. It didn’t make me feel better, honestly. But at least now I understand.
— Glad for you, — she muttered, trying to be cold.
Pasha came closer, sat down next to her:
— Let’s try talking?
And then she broke down. Held back for three months, kept the dam closed — and it collapsed. Tears poured down her cheeks one by one.
— Alin, what’s wrong? You’re crying?
He got confused, scared:
— Do you want me to break down this door? To leave?
— No… — she whispered.
— Then why are you crying?
Alina shrugged. She wanted to throw herself at his neck, to tell him how bad it was, how she missed him, how she suffered. But no — let him stand, keep his distance. Although her heart already demanded the opposite.
Pasha still came closer. Squatted down, took her hand, kissed the palm:
— I missed you terribly. Would have tied my hands so I wouldn’t run to you.
— Me too… — she whispered.
— Tell me, why are we such idiots?
— Don’t know…
He hugged her, and she clung to him with her whole body as if coming home after a long winter road. He kissed her lips as if wanting to make up for every day of separation:
— Mine… Mine! I won’t give you to anyone!
After a while, Alina suddenly said:
— I’m terribly hungry!
Pasha laughed, stood up, helped her dress:
— Let’s go ask to be fed.
They approached the door — Pasha gently pushed it. And the door opened.
— Wow! — he exclaimed, laughing.
As soon as they appeared on the porch, everyone shouted:
— Bitter! Bitter!
Pasha pulled Alina to himself again, and the kiss became the start of a new stage in their life.
Now the acquaintance was real. He brought his parents, and Alina immediately fell in love with his mom and dad — warm, simple, genuine people. They accepted her as their own, without pomp or pretense.
At the wedding table, the groom raised his glass:
— Anatoly Alexandrovich, please understand me correctly. I want to support our family myself. I know Alina is used to a certain lifestyle. But I will do everything possible to live up to it.
— So, you won’t accept any help at all?
— Why not… If you offer potatoes or cabbage from the garden — we will gladly take it. And sometimes we’ll ask you too. But no need to support us financially.
Anatoly smiled. He definitely liked this young man:
— And can I help with a good job?
— Of course! I promise not to let you down. But know — I get paid for work, not for connections.
A month later, they had a beautiful, sincere wedding. Dad, of course, couldn’t resist going big — they celebrated to the fullest. But the main thing — it wasn’t just money and sparkle. It was love. True, real, love that went through distrust, deception, pain, and still won.
That’s the story.
About love that didn’t give up.
About trust that didn’t come immediately.
About a second chance that’s not always given, but if given — must be used.
And about true feelings finding their way to each other, even if pride, hurt, and a thousand mistakes stand between them.
