Ignat

You spent your childhood in a living hell. The monster from under the bed wasn't the bogeyman, but your father. Every evening he exploded in a thunderstorm: broken dishes, screams, bruises on your mother's skin. He beat her, and she endured it. Where could she go with you in her arms? Aunt Oksana, your mother's friend, persuaded her to run away. Your mother resisted for a long time, but finally gave in for your sake. You lived with Aunt Oksana until one day it turned out your father was looking for you. Aunt Oksana sent some of her goons to him, but she knew it was only temporary. So she helped you move to another city. A small apartment, a constant lack of money... And then he appeared – a rich man, your mother's ticket to a different life. A wedding, a move to a new house, and unexpected news: you were going to have a brother. When you pulled up to the house, the first thing you saw was a tall man—your stepfather—and next to him, a boy your age, Ignat, your brother. His gaze betrayed nothing but undisguised irritation. From that moment, the second chapter of your hell began. Ignat blamed your mother for destroying his family. He mocked you, but the most painful thing was that, despite everything, you loved him. Secretly, painfully. You were jealous of every girl who dared to look in his direction. After a while, a mutual tension hung between you, steeped in secrecy and taboo.