— Alena! What kind of circus is this? Why did Kirill come back to me with a suitcase? Did you kick him out?

— Alena! What kind of circus is this? Why did Kirill come back to me with a suitcase? Did you kick him out?

— First of all, there was no suitcase. I gave him garbage bags. Secondly — yes, I did kick him out, — Alena said calmly, trying not to raise her voice. — I don’t have to tolerate cheating and lies. From anyone.

— But all men cheat! — Anna Leonidovna snapped sharply. — The main thing is that he comes back home.

Alena and Kirill met at a café where she worked part-time as a barista. He came every morning for a cappuccino, joked, left generous tips, and one day brought a bouquet of peonies to cheer her up.

At that time, Alena didn’t know that at the moment of their first meeting, Kirill was going through a painful breakup with his girlfriend Eva, who had moved to Moscow for a better life. For him, Alena became the perfect replacement: kind, responsive, and calm. And when he accidentally found out that her grandmother—Svetlana Viktorovna—had a three-room apartment in the city center, he proposed just six months later.

— This is so unexpected, since we barely know each other, — Alena nervously tried on the ring.

— Come on! — Kirill kissed the top of her head. — I just realized I won’t find anyone better than you.

They got married, then rented a one-room apartment on the outskirts and lived like in a fairy tale. The first three months of marriage felt like a single happy moment to Alena. But soon she began to notice strange things about her husband’s behavior.

— Alena, can I borrow money until payday? — Kirill asked one day.

— But you have a higher salary. Where did the money go? — Alena stared at him in surprise.

— I’m preparing a surprise for you, — Kirill carefully twirled a strand of Alena’s hair around his finger and squinted slyly.

— Well, okay, — the wife muttered shyly. — How much do you need?

And so it went on for several more months. Until Alena suggested Kirill find another job since he constantly ran out of money.

— You understand the situation. Lizka wanted a Chanel purse, but she didn’t have money. So I helped my sister pay off her loan, — her husband shrugged. — Starting next month, everything will be fine.

— Are you out of your mind? A purse on credit?

— Well, she wanted it. What can I do?

— At least you could have consulted me first. Otherwise, it turns out you bought your sister a purse with my money, — Alena was angry.

— Talk all you want. Whose money? — Kirill’s eyes burned with fire.

— The very money you borrowed from me every month. Aren’t you going to pay it back? You took a loan, right… — Alena answered with a mocking smile.

— You’ve got something wrong in your head. You’re my wife, so the money is joint.

— Fine, then you won’t see any of my money anymore, just like I haven’t seen yours for half a year.

Kirill’s sister, Alina, was three years younger than him and believed the world revolved only around her. A new iPhone, a vacation every year, and now a purse costing three of Kirill’s salaries.

Kirill got angry and left the apartment. He stood on the porch, leaning against the railing. The evening air was warm and slightly damp. Voices of children were heard somewhere in the distance.

He lit a cigarette and thought. The anger was still boiling inside him, but now it was not directed at Alena, but at the situation. He wasn’t going to leave. Why? Until grandma transferred the apartment to Alena, there was no point in slamming the door.

Kirill was calculating and knew how to wait. The main thing was to keep up the mask. To play the caring husband, be “one of them” for Alena’s relatives. And then—the apartment. The city center, an old building, high ceilings—a dream. This was no joke. He had invested too much in this marriage… morally. And expected a lot in return for his patience.

After wandering the streets for a while, Kirill finally went into a flower shop and bought Alena’s (or Eva’s) favorite peonies.

— I wanted to… apologize, — Kirill handed the bouquet to his wife, still in his shoes.

— I can’t say it’s pleasant. I’ve told you several times that the scent of peonies gives me a headache and tickles my nose, — Alena grimaced.

— Okay, okay, I’ll definitely remember now, — he pulled Alena close and kissed her passionately.

A month passed.

— What now? — Alena frowned. — Last month you paid for your sister’s makeup courses, which she quit after a week!

— So what? Liza is my own sister. — Kirill rolled his eyes. — You would have helped too if you had a sister. But you’re alone, so it’s hard for you to understand my feelings.

Alena clenched her teeth. She had no sister. But she had a grandmother who, upon hearing about Liza’s antics, snorted:

— A man should support his family, not fulfill his sister’s whims! If my Nikolasha had done that, I wouldn’t have lived with him at all.

They were sitting with Alena in a cozy café where they baked wonderful puff pastries and croissants that Svetlana Viktorovna loved very much. It seemed Alena had no one dearer than her grandmother.

Although she had parents and a brother… who rejected the family as soon as he turned eighteen and left for another city to conquer the heights. No one knew what heights Anton would conquer because for ten years there was no call or message from him.

— I wonder how our Antosha is doing… Maybe he’s married already?

— I wonder too… — Alena replied.

— If your father hadn’t been so stubborn, he wouldn’t have left anywhere. But no! He wanted to push him into construction. The boy clearly lived for creativity. So he left! — exclaimed Svetlana Viktorovna. — Oh, why did I get so loud… — she stopped herself.

Alena just smiled and looked sadly out the window. She had a close bond with her brother: he constantly protected Alena from other students’ attacks at school, helped carry her backpack, and always cared about his sister’s life, unlike their parents.

— Don’t be sad. Maybe he’ll come back. And be tougher with your Kirill. There’s something suspicious about him…

— Grandma… — Alena looked sternly at Svetlana Viktorovna.

— Nothing “grandma.” Be careful, got it?

On this wonderful Saturday, no one wanted to leave the street. Alena saw her grandmother home and decided to stroll along the embankment while still in the city center. The sun was blinding, but ahead Alena clearly saw a familiar silhouette — it was Kirill.

He wasn’t alone. Next to Kirill stood a very beautiful girl, like a magazine cover model: plump lips, long legs in a short skirt, a tiny purse, and huge heels. That was definitely not Liza.

Alena wanted to approach when Kirill kissed his companion. Her heart dropped, and she seemed to stop breathing for a moment.

— Why are you standing there? Forgot how to walk? — a painfully familiar voice sounded behind her.

Alena turned sharply and saw Anton.

— You? How?

— I was always nearby, — the brother smirked. — I decided to get married. I brought my fiancée to show you. Will there be hugs?

Alena squealed and threw herself around her brother’s neck, drawing many glances.

— So, how are things? Tell me. You’ve become quite the beauty… A ring on your finger. So you got married?

— Married… to that jerk who’s kissing some mop right out in public, — Alena answered resentfully, pointing to the couple in the distance, just like in childhood.

— I’ll handle this, — Anton quickly approached Kirill and without a word punched him in the jaw, enough to stagger but not fall.

— What’s this? — Kirill said boldly, recovering.

— That’s for my sister. And this is just because, — Anton repeated the blow. — Don’t come near Alena again. I’ll personally throw your stuff out the door.

— For my sister? — Kirill said, confused, noticing Alena standing with her arms crossed nearby. She just shrugged and left with her brother.

Alena immediately took her brother to her place to talk calmly.

— Can you imagine, — Alena exhaled as they rode the elevator — just one year. But it feels like I was imprisoned for ten. He drained everything: my strength, money, even my confidence.

— You just picked the wrong guy, — Anton shrugged. — It happens. The main thing is you didn’t stay stuck. Good that you pulled yourself out.

— I don’t even understand how I could be so naive. He was like that from the start… I just didn’t want to see it. I wanted someone to love me. But now, as if in an instant, the rose-colored glasses fell off.

— You choose a man not by bouquets, but by actions, — Anton smirked.

Alena laughed for the first time in days. At home, she decisively opened the closet, pulled out Kirill’s last T-shirts, a couple of his jeans, and even an old notebook with meaningless notes — everything went into a black garbage bag. No sentimentality. And she tore their joint photos in half and threw them into the trash.

— You know, — Anton said while Alena tied the last bag — I didn’t come back just like that. Everything’s settled for me in Moscow. Not a creative job, but I’m still glad. I have my own business, recently bought an apartment. Studied by correspondence. It was hard at first, but those who don’t give up eventually succeed. And now I’m getting married. I really wanted to see you! I missed you…

— I missed you a lot too, — Alena froze listening to her brother, then dropped the bag and hugged him tightly.

— And today I thought: why don’t you come with me?

— Come? To Moscow?

— Yeah. You’re smart, you’ll manage. There are so many opportunities there. And the main thing — you won’t be alone. I’ll always be there.

She sighed, sat on the couch, and stared out the window.

— It would really be easier there… But you know, Antosh, I can’t. Grandma. She’s my only support. And parents… — she shrugged. — You know you can’t count on them.

— Grandma’s tough. I missed her a lot too. But you’re no enemy to yourself either. Life’s one. We three can go together — I’ll talk to grandma.

— No, we’ll stay here. You better come visit more often.

— Deal, — Anton nodded. — Especially since my wife is local.

— Really? Who? — Alena folded her arms and rested her head on them.

— Yulka, — her brother smiled.

— Really? The one you broke up with after graduation?

— Yeah. Then we reconnected… and everything started again. I never loved anyone like her… Feelings don’t rust after all.

— That’s great. I’m happy for you, — said Alena and looked sadly away.

— Don’t be sad. We’ll find you someone decent too, — Anton smirked.

At that moment the doorbell rang. It was Kirill.

— Step aside, I’ll handle this, — Anton pushed his sister away from the door.

— Alen… — Kirill started but immediately stopped when he saw Anton.

— Alena is no more. Here are your things, now get lost, — Anton sharply threw the bags with Kirill’s things behind his back.

— I’ll be back, — Kirill threatened with a finger and left the door, gathering scattered belongings.

Alena stood behind Anton, still a bit nervous. She perfectly understood: this story with Kirill was not over. He was not the type to leave quietly. He would whine and beg for forgiveness, promise golden mountains, maybe even blackmail. But now Anton was nearby—and that changed everything.

Anton closed the door and turned to his sister:

— Well, that’s it. Finita. Consider you’ve wiped another parasite from your life.

— He’ll come back, — Alena said quietly. — I know that for sure. He won’t give up easily.

But she hadn’t finished when the phone vibrated. Alena stared at the screen. Her insides clenched. She wanted to throw the phone at the wall, but she answered.

— Hello?

— Alena! What kind of circus is this? Why did Kirill come back to me with a suitcase? Did you kick him out?

— First of all, no suitcase. I gave him garbage bags. Secondly — yes, I kicked him out, — Alena said calmly, trying not to raise her voice. — I don’t have to tolerate cheating and lies. From anyone.

— All men cheat! — Anna Leonidovna snapped sharply. — The main thing is they come home. And you… You’re just a foolish girl who ruined the marriage. Who will want a divorced woman like you now?

— Me? — Alena laughed. — Are you sure anyone needs me? I’d rather be alone than with someone like your son. And don’t tell me “everyone cheats.” Maybe you’re used to living in a swamp, but I’m not.

— Do you really think you’re a beauty? Everyone just wants grandma’s apartment. That’s all.

— How disgusting. Your whole family is rotten. Let this be our last conversation.

Alena hung up before her mother-in-law could continue. She threw the phone on the couch and exhaled.

— That’s all, — she said with relief. — You know, I feel calm for the first time in a long while.

— That’s how it should be, — Anton nodded.

— Thanks for coming back… just in time, — Alena whispered, lowering her gaze.

— Now I’ll always be here, — Anton hugged her. — And if anyone tries to hurt you.

The next day the three of them—Alena, Anton, and Yulia—stood at the entrance to Svetlana Viktorovna’s apartment. The stairwell smelled of pies. Alena squeezed her brother’s hand and whispered quietly:

— She won’t recognize you right away. So many years have passed…

Anton just smirked and pressed the doorbell. The door opened almost instantly. Despite her age, grandma still had a quick step and sharp eyes. At first, she just looked and couldn’t believe her eyes. Then she slowly pressed her palm to her mouth:

— Antosha… God… — she whispered. — Antoshenka… alive, real… — She rushed into her grandson’s embrace.

— Well, now I can die in peace… — muttered Svetlana Viktorovna, burying her face in his shoulder.

— Don’t say nonsense, — Anton exhaled, hugging his grandmother tightly. — You have a lot of life left.

Yulia, moved to tears, stepped aside.

Later, at the table with pancakes and pies, grandma couldn’t stop:

— Are you going to disappear again for ten years?

— I won’t disappear, I promise. By the way, this is my future wife, — Anton nodded toward Yulia. — We’ve known each other since school. Met by chance, and everything started again.

— Yulka… — her grandmother recognized her and beamed. — Oh, Alenka, your brother has good taste.

Yulia blushed, and Alena laughed:

— Now he’s a respectable man. Business, apartment.

The evening was filled with conversations, memories, and toasts to their reunion. Svetlana Viktorovna blossomed. It seemed years retreated before this simple family happiness. Two days later Alena stood at the airport, hugging her brother and Yulia before their flight. She tried not to show sadness, but tears welled in her eyes.

— Take care of grandma, — Anton said — and yourself. I’ll visit often. Definitely not in ten years. And if you change your mind — tickets to Moscow are always available.

— I know. But here… this is my home, — Alena replied softly.

They hugged. Then the plane took off, carrying her brother and his new life back to the capital.

Alena moved back in with her grandmother. Svetlana Viktorovna was very happy:

— At least I won’t be alone now. The TV isn’t company. But with you — my soul rests.

They baked pies together, cleaned on Saturdays with music, watched old movies, and chatted in the evenings.

One day, watching her granddaughter make a high bun in the mirror, grandma said:

— Look at you, Alenka: smart, beautiful, kind. I bet you’ll find someone who truly appreciates you.

Alena, without turning, just smiled:

— And if I don’t, it’s okay. I already have everything.

And at that moment, she truly felt: yes, she really had everything. Because her loved one was near, her heart was calm, and the reflection in the mirror was the one who had become herself again.