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

— First of all, there was no suitcase. I gave him garbage bags. Secondly — yes, I asked him to leave, — Alena replied calmly. — I don’t tolerate dishonesty. From anyone.

— But all men make mistakes sometimes! — Anna Leonidovna objected. — The important thing is he came back!

Alena met Kirill at a café where she worked part-time. He visited often, always cheerful, always kind. One day, he brought her flowers “just to see her smile.”

What Alena didn’t know was that Kirill had just ended a previous relationship. To him, Alena felt like a fresh start — soft-spoken, optimistic, caring. And when he learned that her grandmother owned a beautiful downtown apartment, he proposed only six months later.

— This feels so sudden… — Alena said, looking at the ring.

— I just know you’re the one, — he said warmly.

They married and rented a small flat. For a few months, life felt perfect. But then…

— Can I borrow some money until payday? — Kirill asked.

— But you earn more than me. Where’s it going?

— It’s for a surprise. Trust me.

The explanations shifted month after month. Finally, Alena asked him to consider a better-paying job. That’s when he mentioned something unexpected.

— Lizka needed help paying off a loan for her bag. I helped.

— A bag? That’s where our money went?

— She’s my sister. You wouldn’t understand.

Alena clenched her jaw. She had no sister — but she had her grandmother, Svetlana Viktorovna.

When she told her, Grandma scoffed:

— A real man cares for his home, not other people’s wardrobes. If your grandfather had done that, I’d have packed his bags myself.

Alena smiled weakly. Her real family was small: her grandmother, and a brother — Anton — who had left home ten years ago and never returned. No calls. No letters.

— I still wonder about Anton, — Grandma often said.

— Maybe he’s got his own family now, — Alena replied softly.

One weekend, Alena walked through town and froze — ahead was Kirill. Laughing. With a tall woman. Not his sister. Then she saw him kiss her.

She stood frozen — until a voice behind her broke the moment.

— Forgot how to walk?

She turned. Anton. Ten years older, but still her brother.

— You? How—?

— I came to introduce you to someone. But first—what’s that guy doing?

When Alena explained, Anton didn’t hesitate. He approached Kirill and, with quiet authority, told him:

— That’s my sister you lied to. And that’s the last time you’ll see her.

He didn’t shout. He didn’t get physical. Just stood firm. Kirill looked stunned — then backed away.

Back at home, Alena vented.

— One year. That’s all it took for him to drain my energy, my confidence, even my savings.

— You walked away. That’s strength, — Anton said.

— I just wanted love. But I see now — it has to come with respect.

— You’re worth far more than promises and flowers.

Alena packed the last of Kirill’s things. In garbage bags — not out of spite, but to remind herself that she was cleaning out her life.

Anton stayed the weekend. He had built a life — a business, an apartment, a fiancée. But he missed his family. Missed her.

— Come with me to Moscow, — he offered.

— I can’t leave Grandma, — Alena said. — She’s my heart.

— Then we’ll visit more often, — Anton smiled.

That evening, Kirill came to the door. But Alena didn’t answer. Anton did.

— She’s done. Here’s your stuff. Goodbye.

— She’ll take me back, — Kirill muttered.

— No, she won’t. This door stays closed.

Kirill left. And with him, so did the weight on Alena’s shoulders.

Later, the three of them — Alena, Anton, and his fiancée — visited Grandma. When she opened the door and saw her grandson, her eyes filled.

— Antosha… is it really you?

— I’m here now. For good.

That evening, they ate, laughed, and made new memories.

As Anton flew back to Moscow, Alena promised:

— No more ten-year silences.

— And no more settling for less than you deserve, — Anton said, hugging her.

Alena moved back in with Grandma. They cleaned, cooked, laughed, and healed.

One night, as she tied her hair back, Grandma said:

— You’re wise, beautiful, and kind. One day, someone will truly see that.

Alena looked at herself in the mirror and smiled.

— And if not, I still have everything I need.

And for the first time, she really believed it.