—You’ve changed, Vera. You’ve become tougher.
—Thanks. I had a good teacher.
—I didn’t say it was good.
Five years ago, Timur Shakhov was my first man—and then he betrayed me: he chose a career in another city and a more experienced lover, leaving me to gather the pieces of my heart and life and move on. His return five years later promises nothing good: now he’s my boss again, and it seems he’s not against bringing back our past connection. But I’m no longer that naive fool, and I’ll never let him use me again.