“You chose to throw me out of your life,” Raya replied. “And leave me to carry everything alone.”
Mila cried quietly.
Just then, Vladimir turned to Maria:
– I want documents. Guardianship. Court. Whatever it takes. I’ll take her.
Maria didn’t flinch.
“It won’t be that easy,” she said. “There are laws.”
Vladimir laughed.
“Laws?” he repeated. “There are laws for those who have no money.”
His gaze returned to me.
– And you, Nikola… if you want a job again… if you want your loan not to crush you… you will help me.
The room became quiet. Only Ray’s heavy breathing could be heard.
I felt something like anger rising inside me. Not towards Vladimir, but towards this corrupt logic that every good thing has to be bought.
“Not everything is as it seems,” I said slowly. “And not all help sells.”
Vladimir was petrified.
“We’ll see,” he whispered. “We’ll see who stays standing when I push.”
He headed for the exit.
On the threshold he turned to Mila:
– I’ll come back. And then we’ll decide.
The door closed.
Raya rested her head on the pillow and cried silently.
And I realized that from now on my choices will not be small.
Chapter Six
After meeting Vladimir, I couldn’t calm down. I was walking down the street and felt like the world had narrowed down to two words: “I’ll push.”
In the evening, Maria called me.
“Vladimir didn’t come alone,” she said.
“There was security,” I replied.
– Not only that. He has already spoken to Kalin.
I stopped.
– What does Kalin have to do with this?
Maria sighed.
– Kalin is a person who sells loyalty. And Vladimir loves such people.
A cold wave washed over me.
“He’s going to crush me, isn’t he?” I asked, without meaning to.
“If you let him,” Maria replied. “That’s why we’ll act. And we’ll start by firing you.”
The next day we met in her office. A small room with shelves of books and the smell of paper. For the first time in weeks, I felt someone standing next to me.
Maria took out the documents.
“We’ll file a lawsuit,” he said. “Wrongful dismissal, moral damages, attempted extortion. But we need evidence.”
“The cameras?” I asked.
– Yes. And witnesses. And one more thing.
She looked at me seriously.
– Kalin has a weakness.
“What?” I asked.
Maria hesitated, then said:
– Your wife… what is her name?
Her words hit me like a slap.
“I don’t have a wife,” I replied. “I have a girlfriend. Vera.”
Maria nodded, as if she already knew.
– Vera… is it working?
“In the salon,” I said, confused. “Why?”
Maria closed the folder and leaned towards me.
– Because Kalin and Vera… have a relationship.
My world fell apart.
“No,” I whispered. “It’s not possible.”
Maria didn’t look away.
– It’s possible. And it’s a fact. I have photos, messages… someone brought them to me.
My hands trembled. I felt anger and humiliation fighting inside me.
“Who brought them to you?” I asked, my throat dry.
“Thomas,” said Maria.
Toma. A colleague from the shop, quiet, always smiling, but his eyes were tired. He had told me: “Be careful with Kalin.” I hadn’t listened.
“Why would he do that?” I asked.
Maria pursed her lips.
– Because Kalin threatened him. And because Toma owes money. To people who don’t forgive.
I sat there, unable to speak. Vera… Kalin… a betrayal that happened while I was counting pennies for the loan.
“Nikola,” Maria said more softly. “Look at me. This pain can destroy you. Or it can give you strength. It depends on what you do.”
“What should I do?” I whispered.
“Don’t be silent,” she replied. “Don’t let Kalin and Vladimir write history for you.”
I nodded, not sure if I believed it.
I left the office and didn’t go home right away. Instead, I found myself in front of the salon where Vera worked.
I stood across from her and watched the door. I waited for her to come out. And when I saw her, my heart sank.
She wasn’t alone.
Kalin was walking next to her, laughing, whispering something in her ear. Vera was smiling in a way I hadn’t seen in a long time.
And then everything inside me ignited.
