Anya could never understand why this man was in their lives. She had always wished for her mom to marry someone who would truly make her happy, but Arthur wasn’t that man. Sitting on the sofa, pretending to read a book, Anya kept an eye on him. Arthur, freshly awake, wandered through the house, constantly chatting on the phone, seemingly oblivious to her presence. His carefree demeanor grated on her nerves, especially since he was speaking to a woman.
“Mil, what are you saying? I’m getting married in two weeks, and you’re trying to tempt me now?” Arthur chuckled, clearly amused by whatever was being said on the other end.
Anya felt a wave of disgust. How could her mother not see what kind of man he truly was?
She slammed her book shut, startling Arthur. He glanced at her but then retreated into the bedroom, closing the door firmly. Frustrated, Anya decided to confide in her best friend, Petya. Slipping out of the house, she ran down the street to a nearby cluster of old barracks, hidden behind rows of tall thuja trees.
Petya greeted her from his window, “Anya, come in! No one’s home.”
Climbing in through the window—who needed doors anyway—Anya found her friend hunched over a textbook.
“Why didn’t you go with your folks?” she asked.
Petya shrugged, scratching the back of his head. “Got a bad grade in English. Dad said I’m grounded until I fix it.”
Anya managed a small smile. Petya’s father was a towering man with a booming voice but a gentle heart. Despite his stern warnings, he’d never actually punished Petya.
“Petya,” Anya began, “I need your help.”
The older boy set aside his textbook, immediately sensing the seriousness of the situation. He listened as Anya recounted everything about Arthur’s behavior and her mom’s obliviousness. “How do I tell her? She won’t believe me,” Anya concluded.
Petya nodded thoughtfully. “You and your mom are close, right? Just be honest. She’ll hear you out.”
Anya hesitated. Her relationship with her mom had changed since Arthur entered their lives. The warm evenings they once spent watching movies together had been replaced with Arthur monopolizing her mom’s attention. Still, Petya’s words gave her hope.
“Thanks, Petya,” she said softly.
That evening, Arthur got dressed to go out. When Alla asked him where he was headed, he claimed it was to meet an old friend before settling into married life. Anya watched in silence as her mom handed him some cash with a smile, oblivious to his lies.
“Mom,” Anya started hesitantly after Arthur left, “can we talk?”
Alla sighed. “Anya, I know you don’t like Arthur, but don’t you want me to be happy?”
“But he doesn’t love you!” Anya protested. “He’s using you. He’s talking to other women, and I’m sure he’s lying about where he goes.”
“Enough!” Alla snapped, slamming her hand on the table. “You’re too young to understand these things. Go to your room.”
Defeated, Anya stormed off. That night, loud voices woke her. Arthur had returned home drunk, and her mother’s scolding could be heard through the walls. Anya buried her head under her pillow, unable to bear the argument.
The next day, Anya and Petya sat on a patch of wasteland, devising a plan. Petya suggested a bold move: expose Arthur during the wedding. Though hesitant, Anya eventually agreed, realizing it might be the only way to make her mom see the truth.
On the day of the wedding, the lavish celebration was in full swing. Anya’s nerves were frayed as she waited for her moment. When the host announced her turn to speak, she stepped onto the stage, her heart pounding.
“Mom,” she began, her voice trembling, “I love you and want you to be happy. But before we go any further, there’s something you need to see.”
The screen behind her lit up with a video Petya had secretly recorded. It showed Arthur embracing another woman—who happened to be present at the wedding—as well as other damning moments. Gasps filled the room. Alla sat frozen, her face a mix of shock and heartbreak.
Anya placed the microphone down and fled the venue. Petya found her near the river, where she broke down in tears. “What have I done?” she sobbed.
“You did the right thing,” Petya reassured her. “Your mom needed to know.”
To their surprise, Alla appeared moments later. Sitting down beside them, she pulled Anya into a tight hug. “I’m so sorry,” she whispered. “You were right all along.”
That night, as the three of them walked home, Alla turned to Petya. “I’ve heard so much about you but never met you. Why haven’t you visited us before?”
Petya blushed. “I didn’t think I’d be welcome.”
Alla laughed. “Well, that changes now. Let’s celebrate properly tomorrow. You and your family are invited.”
The next day, they gathered for a simple but joyous celebration, free of deceit and pretense. For the first time in a long time, Anya felt like her family was whole again.