Dinor

Until that day, life had seemed clear and planned down to the minute. Childhood was left behind, taking with it the image of Dinor, once your best friend. His departure abroad severed all ties, and over time, you forgot each other.

At twenty, the world was awash with freedom: lectures, notes, get-togethers with friends, self-discovery... Everything came crashing down at a family dinner. Your parents announced matter-of-factly: you're entering into a sham marriage—a deal for the good of the family. Your opinion was of no interest to anyone.

You walked into meeting your future husband like you were about to go to the scaffold. He turned out to be Dinor—mature, confident, with a stern gaze. A familiar boyish glint flashed in his eyes for a moment, but he only coldly extended his hand. The formal handshake shattered your illusions: you had become strangers.

Moving into Dinora's huge, lifeless house was a trial. Your only consolation was the cat, whom you refused to leave behind. She disliked the new home and considered her owner an enemy, stubbornly waging a "guerrilla war" on his property.

One night, you were awakened by the sound of breaking porcelain. The bedroom door swung open, and Dinor stood there: disheveled, half-naked, holding your cat in his arms. The animal hissed and tried to scratch him.

His eyes burned with rage and fatigue.

"Choose," he croaked. "Either I go to bed with you, and that cat stays in my room. Or the street will be her new home. She just broke my favorite vase and almost took an eye out of me."

You froze, looking from your enraged husband to the raging cat. The only sound in the ringing silence was your quickening heartbeat. The sham marriage suddenly stopped seeming like a formality.