The text message arrived just at the moment Emma sat down on her favorite bench in the small city park. She glanced at the phone screen — and immediately frowned.
Only from him! What does he want? That old stingy bore who still thinks he has the right to write?
She looked around the park. There were few people: two lovers walking hand in hand, and by the pond sat a man who looked homeless. He was breaking bread for the ducks. Strange, Emma thought: barely making ends meet himself, yet spending his last crumbs on the feathered ones.
Emma sank heavily onto the bench and sighed deeply.
She absolutely did not want to open the message. She had long stopped expecting anything good from her ex-husband. Their divorce had only been finalized three months ago, and only now had her nerves begun to calm down even a little. She had filed for divorce herself — because living as they had was simply impossible.
Everything started out normal, like everyone else’s. But then Victor… he seemed to have gone mad, obsessed with greed. At first Emma even laughed at his quirks, thinking it was just frugality. But then it stopped being funny.
They had enough money. They could afford a lot. But Victor forbade her from buying even the simplest things. For example, tights. «Why new ones? Mend the old ones — wear them,» he said. And if she asked why she couldn’t buy something tasty, he would reply, «Go walk in your pants.»
At first, it seemed like just his personality trait. But over time she realized — there was nothing special about it. Victor completely controlled the family budget. And she, without noticing, got used to giving him her entire salary, leaving only small change for herself.
Then cheaper groceries started appearing. Then expired ones. Emma couldn’t take it anymore:
— Victor, explain to me what’s going on? We both work, we have money! Why do we have to eat like hobos?
— Don’t exaggerate! — he snapped. — After the expiration date, you can still eat food for a few days. This isn’t a dump!
No matter how much she argued, no matter how she tried to prove it was abnormal, Victor stuck to his position.
And one day she decided: she wouldn’t give him her salary anymore. She would buy herself proper food, maybe even something new. Victor made such a scandal that the neighbors called the police. He shouted, insulted, called her names…
Emma stayed silent. She simply couldn’t understand — where was the person she married? And then a clear and terrible thought struck her: she had to leave. Right now.
But she hesitated. She was afraid to lose the home she loved and her accustomed way of life. Even though inside there was long ago nothing but pain.
Then — a chance encounter. She saw Victor in a café with a young girl. Delicious dishes stood before them, no trace of cheap cheese or expired sausage.
That was the last straw. The moment after which there was no turning back.
He shouted again, spat insults, called her names. Said she’d die alone without him, unwanted. That no one would ever love her like he did — «freak.»
— Look at yourself! — he hissed, eyes flashing. — Who needs you? Only me! You won’t find another man! You’ll be alone!
And suddenly Emma smiled. To herself. Unexpectedly.
— You know, Victor, — she said quietly, — only now do I understand why you were around. You never loved me. You just used me. Like a convenient thing. So that you would be comfortable.
— I’m not stingy! I’m thrifty! — he protested.
— Yeah, sure, — Emma nodded. — Especially in that restaurant. And does your new chosen one know that you’d argue over a penny?
Victor gasped in anger. His face turned purple, his eyes bloodshot. All he could hiss was:
— We’ll see who’s happy… and who will be lonely till the end of their days…
Emma took a deep breath and finally opened the message. She read it. Reread it. And again. The same mocking arrogance. He invited her to a wedding and hinted that maybe some guest would pay attention to her. Because, he said, she would never find new happiness herself.
Rage rose in her throat. Tears welled up. Just you wait, Victor. I won’t let you down.
Her gaze again fell on the man by the pond. Tall, broad-shouldered, about forty. Not old. Clean. And what if…?
She had just been paid, including a bonus. She had enough money. And he obviously needed funds. Resolutely standing up from the bench, Emma headed toward him.
— Hello.
He looked at her surprised, then nodded:
— Hello…
—I have a business proposition for you. Do you need money?
The man raised an eyebrow cautiously:
— I hope it’s nothing criminal?
— Almost, — Emma smirked. — But not physically. Morally — definitely.
The vagabond’s name was Gennady. He laughed, even cried from laughter:
— Well, you scared me! So, what do you need from me?
Emma was surprised to see his smile — snow-white, perfect teeth. Not at all what you’d expect to see on a man in worn clothes. If not for his appearance, she wouldn’t believe he was homeless.
— Let’s sit down, — Emma suggested. — I’ll tell you everything.
She sat down on the bench again, stumbling a bit, but tried to briefly describe her life: marriage, divorce, ex-husband, and his last message. Then she handed him the phone — Gennady read the SMS and unexpectedly smiled.
— Maybe just ignore it? — he asked, looking at the pond water. — Let him think he’s right?
— I don’t want to find anyone! — Emma waved her hand. — I’m fine alone now. After all that happened… I will never marry again!
She paused, gathering her thoughts:
— But all of Victor’s relatives will be there. And they are sure I’m a failure. I’d like to show them they’re wrong.
— So you want him to understand: you are not alone? — Gennady clarified.
— Yes! So he finally stops bothering me! If he sees I didn’t come alone, maybe he’ll leave me alone once and for all.
Gennady nodded thoughtfully.
— Okay, I’ll help. But about the clothes… I don’t have anything suitable. A tailcoat is definitely not mine.
— Don’t worry! — Emma answered confidently. — I just got paid with a bonus recently. We’ll buy everything necessary. Even a tailcoat can be rented.
She was silent for a moment, then reasonably thought: how will they find each other now? He has no phone, she has no contacts. He’ll have to live somewhere for those two days.
— You know, maybe you can stay with me for now? — she offered hesitantly. — So you don’t get lost.
Gennady smiled — warmly, a bit mockingly.
— Better if I come to you myself. You write down the address, and I’ll find it. Don’t worry.
Emma quickly jotted the address on a scrap of paper, gave it to him, and hurried away. Thoughts were confused. She felt silly — believing this man would really come. Surely he was just being polite to get rid of her.
In the evening, Emma had dinner as usual, took a shower, and settled into her favorite chair with a blanket and a movie. The neighbor could show up anytime, as always. So, hearing the doorbell, she opened the door with a practiced smile:
— Katyusha, something else missing again?
The smile immediately faded.
Gena stood at the threshold. Clean, neat, nothing like the man from the park.
— Oh! Sorry, I wasn’t expecting you! — she gasped, hardly believing her eyes.
— But I came after all, — he said, raising an eyebrow slightly.
Emma hurried him inside and closed the door:
— Honestly, I even thought you wouldn’t come. That my ex was right, and I scare everyone off.
— Then forgive me for making you think that way, — he replied gently. — I was just a little late.
— Would you like tea or coffee? — Emma asked, nervously fiddling with the edge of her robe.
— With pleasure, — Gena smiled.
Over tea began their first real conversation. Emma cautiously asked how he ended up on the street. He smiled sadly and asked her not to mention it yet.
— Of course, — she nodded. — Sorry, that was rude of me.
She laid out an old folding bed for him, but he categorically refused to take her bed.
— No way! That wouldn’t be humane.
Emma felt warmth in her soul. No one had shown her such attention in so long.
The next day they went shopping. Emma laughed to tears, as if she had returned to childhood. She even dared to enter a café, though Gena initially resisted.
But the owner, noticing them, approached the table. However, when he met Gennady’s gaze, he suddenly hesitated and left.
— Let him just come over! — Emma was indignant. — I would have told him everything! Why can’t those who pay with their own money eat here? He behaves decently!
— He recognized you, — Gena simply said.
— So what? — she didn’t understand.
— That’s why he left.
— Are you serious? — Emma looked at him intently. — And if he had come, what would you have said?
— Maybe, — he smiled mysteriously.
They finished shopping quickly. Gena looked good — as if made to order. Emma caught herself thinking, «How can one person be so handsome?»
Before the wedding, she was very nervous. Her hands trembled, butterflies fluttered in her stomach. Why did she even agree? What was she trying to prove?
— Emma, listen, — Gena said, seeing her doubts. — You need to close this chapter. Once and for all. And for that, you have to go to this wedding. And show everyone how amazing you are. Outshine even the newlyweds.
— You think so? — she asked uncertainly.
— Yes. After today, you can safely delete Victor’s number and forget about him forever.
They arrived at the restaurant by taxi. The street was empty. Emma awkwardly stepped on her heels — she hadn’t worn them in a long time. But Gena immediately offered his hand, and her steps became more confident, her walk lighter. She climbed the wide steps almost freely, as if not years but only minutes separated her from past parties and social outings.
In the spacious lobby, Emma involuntarily stopped. Victor didn’t skimp — the restaurant was clearly expensive, luxurious. Music, laughter, and muffled conversations came from the hall. Many guests had already gathered.
Gena looked at her encouragingly. His eyes showed confidence, almost inspiration.
— Well? Shall we go?
— Let’s, — Emma nodded, feeling some anxiety ease.
He gently squeezed her hand, as if passing strength and calm.
— Remember: you’re here to shine. Just enjoy the evening. Don’t pay attention to why you were invited. You deserve this.
— Thank you… for everything, — she replied quietly.
— For you? — Gena smirked slightly, raising an eyebrow. — What «you»? We’re a couple, right?
His smile was so sincere, so dazzling, Emma’s heart stopped for a moment. Now he looked more like the owner of the world than the man she found by the pond. It seemed even the air around him had grown warmer.
When they entered the hall, complete silence fell. All eyes turned to them. The guests froze, as if someone had pressed pause. Victor, noticing them, opened his mouth in silent astonishment. He literally turned to stone.
— Gennady Alexandrovich! — he finally managed to say, his voice trembling with respect. — What an unexpected and great honor!
Emma didn’t understand what was happening. Only now did she realize: that name… belonged to the very top boss of the company where Victor worked. The owner of an entire empire.
— Stop it, Victor Olegovich, — Gena said softly. — I’m just accompanying this charming lady. She kindly agreed to come with me.
Emma stood beside him, unable to comprehend what was happening. He was not a homeless man. He was the owner of everything.
— Please, come in! — Victor hurried, almost stumbling. — Champagne, snacks — anything you want! Make yourselves at home!
With these words, he rushed back to the bride, and immediately a heated discussion began between them.
— Gena… — was all Emma could whisper.
— Let’s go, — he took two glasses from the confused waiter. — Let’s step outside for a minute. Fresh air.
The evening breeze on the terrace cooled their thoughts slightly.
— I thought for a long time about how to start, — Gena said, looking into the distance. — I decided to spend a few days among the homeless. Wanted to understand their world, feel what they really need. To help. I have the means. Shelter, assistance, jobs — everything can be arranged. But I wanted to see it all with my own eyes. And then this woman approaches… so beautiful, so sincere… and asks… a bum. Can you imagine?
Emma looked at him, amazed.
— So… you really are that very Gennady Alexandrovich?
— That’s me. What am I supposed to do now? — he added playfully.
She smiled. For the first time in a long time, she felt light. Truly light.
— To party, — she answered. — To have fun. And enjoy.
— May I have this dance? — he extended his hand.
A slow waltz spun them around. The world disappeared. Only they remained. His voice, quiet and a little hoarse, sounded right by her ear:
— You know, now I want to be a little rough. I want to grab you and take you away with me. Right now. Forever.
Emma laughed — happily, freely.
— You’re a little scary… but I can go on my own. If you promise not to grab me.
Gena stopped, looking at her surprised.
— Seriously?
— Absolutely.
He took her hand firmly but gently and led her to the exit. No gaze could stay still — everyone followed the pair who came here not to watch but to change everything.
And Emma walked beside him, knowing one thing: all the bad was behind her. Next to her was a man who not only helped her — he gave her a new life. The truest. The brightest.
