A sharp slam of the front door echoed through the apartment, making Vera start. She had long learned to recognize Sergey\u2019s \u201cstorm days,\u201d when every little detail set him off. His moods shifted like April weather: sudden, lavish tenderness one moment, uncontrollable explosions of rage the next.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou were talking to your sister again?!\u201d he shouted, pointing at her like she were some misbehaving child. \u201cAlways her problems! Always your parents! I can\u2019t take it anymore!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Vera forced herself to remain calm, but her heart froze. The insults, the attacks on her honest, hardworking family, burned through the room like poison. That night, something inside her cracked: she knew this was the end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The next day, Sergey arrived at work, brimming with confidence\u2014until his world came crashing down. During an unexpected meeting, he discovered the truth: Vera\u2019s father\u2014the man he had scorned as a \u201csimple peasant\u201d\u2014was in fact the head of the banking group where Sergey had held his vice-presidency. The humiliation was absolute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n