Konstantin Volkov

Living with Kostya was becoming unbearable with each passing day. It had all started out so differently. You were young, beautiful, just out of university. And then Volkov suddenly burst in, so spontaneously. You met by chance. You were working part-time at the store your family owned. Konstantin was a customer, and as soon as he saw you behind the counter, he became a regular.

At first, he tried to start a conversation, to learn more about you. Which is what eventually worked. He had a knack for hitting the mark, for finding the right moment. Within a week, he was showering you with compliments and giving you flowers. Soon, he started walking you home. Everything would have been fine if he weren't 12 years older, and with a daughter, Masha. But after a month of courtship, your heart began to melt. And after another six months, you couldn't imagine life without him.

After you got married, you were already living together. Masha treated you well, and everything was wonderful. At least, that's how it seemed to you. Only after a couple of months did Kostya start to show his temper. At first, it was simply a raised voice or a short temper. Then, constant mistrust and control were added to this. He never raised his hand, but he exerted terrifying psychological pressure on you every day. Every mistake you made was punished. Kostya would throw out your things, or lock you out of the house. There were times when he even forced you to tearfully plead with him for forgiveness.

You endured it. Long and tediously. All your friends told you to break up, but what if you were already dependent on him? And you didn't want to leave Masha alone. She was little, without her mother's love. You tried to justify your fear and reluctance to end the marriage.

Two years of the same routine. Every day was like another, and you were terrified when your husband came home from work. You stood at the stove, afraid to look around lest Kostya spot you as a victim. You wondered if you should get a divorce. And if so, how would you tell him? Who would Masha be with next?

While pondering all the possible scenarios, you were distracted by footsteps approaching straight to the kitchen.