Alice Zvyagintseva was born into a world where luxury was as natural as breathing. From her earliest days, her life seemed perfectly planned—each detail arranged meticulously by her parents. Her closets overflowed with designer clothes, and trips to Paris, Milan, and New York became as ordinary as breakfast. Her bedroom overlooked lush gardens and a sparkling lake, with birds serenading her every morning. Yet amidst the elegance, Alice often felt trapped, like a puppet whose strings were controlled by her parents’ ambitions.
“Alice, hurry up! The Lans will be here soon, and you’re still not ready!” Her mother’s voice echoed sharply through the hallways.
Reluctantly, Alice pulled herself out of bed, sighing deeply as she put on another expensive dress chosen by her mother. She felt no joy at these arranged meetings with potential husbands, each selected based purely on their ability to enhance her father’s business interests.
“I don’t want to see them,” she muttered, barely audible.
Her mother’s eyes narrowed. “Igor Lan comes from an influential family. This marriage would be beneficial to us.”
Alice swallowed her protest. She was tired of these calculated matches, tired of her desires always being secondary.
Breakfast passed silently. Her father, Viktor Sergeyevich, studied financial newspapers, while her mother arranged invitations to elite events.
“Be charming tonight,” her father said curtly. “The Lans may become important partners.”
Alice nodded without enthusiasm. Later, she got into her white sports car, driving aimlessly to delay her meeting. Suddenly, the car sputtered and stopped dead on an empty industrial street. Panicking, she grabbed her phone but found no signal.
A voice startled her from behind. “Need help?”
She turned sharply and saw a young man, tall and strong, his shirt smeared with engine grease. His eyes were bright, clear, and kind.
“Yes, I have to get to the city quickly,” she said impatiently.
He smiled reassuringly. “I’m Egor. I work at the repair shop around the corner. Let me help you.”
With no other option, Alice agreed. At his small garage, Egor fixed the issue quickly, charging her an unexpectedly modest amount.
“That’s all?” Alice asked in surprise, holding out her credit card. “They usually charge me much more.”
Egor shrugged, his smile genuine. “I only charge what the work is worth.”
Intrigued by his honesty, she accepted when he invited her to a riverside café. Their conversation flowed naturally. Egor spoke passionately about his craft, something she’d never encountered among her wealthy friends. For the first time, Alice felt she could be herself, free from pretending.
After that meeting, they spent more time together. Alice began secretly skipping family-arranged events, instead spending afternoons with Egor at parks, quiet cafés, and car shows. Soon enough, their bond deepened.
One day, sitting together near the river, Egor took her hand gently and said, “Alice, I love you.”
She felt warmth and certainty flooding her heart. She knew she was ready to fight for this love.
Their relationship didn’t remain secret for long. Her father discovered them accidentally, spotting Alice with Egor on a city street. Furious, he confronted her at home.
“You’re throwing your life away for a nobody!” he shouted. “A mechanic with no future, no connections!”
“He loves me,” Alice replied, calmly yet firmly. “And I love him.”
Her mother pleaded tearfully, “Think again. There are so many good matches within our circle.”
But Alice’s decision was final. Soon after, she and Egor married quietly, without extravagant ceremonies or socialite guests. Her parents refused to attend, and her father even threatened to disinherit her.
On their wedding day, Egor worriedly asked her, “Are you sure? I don’t want you to lose your family because of me.”
Alice smiled reassuringly. “My choice is clear. I choose love, not money.”
Adjusting to her new life wasn’t easy. Gone were the days of household staff and endless comforts. Instead, Alice learned to cook, clean, and live simply. Yet every morning, she woke with joy, happy just to see Egor beside her.
Egor’s small garage soon gained recognition for restoring vintage cars. His reputation spread quickly among collectors, and clients began traveling from distant cities. Their finances gradually stabilized, though life remained modest.
One morning, a hesitant knock interrupted their breakfast. Surprised, Alice opened the door to find her mother standing awkwardly on the doorstep.
“I’ve missed you,” she said softly, glancing uncertainly around the cozy, beautifully restored home.
Alice invited her in, offering tea. Her mother looked amazed, clearly expecting hardship but finding warmth and elegance instead.
“Does father know you’re here?” Alice asked quietly.
Her mother shook her head. “He’s still stubborn, too proud to admit he might’ve been wrong.”
That visit became the first step toward reconciliation. Gradually, her mother visited more frequently, helping in the garden or simply talking, forming a new bond based on genuine affection rather than status.
As Egor’s business thrived, Alice offered her marketing skills. She built a professional website, launched social media pages, and utilized her past connections. Soon, the garage expanded into a popular business, attracting even more affluent customers.
Before long, distant relatives appeared at their doorstep, pretending to have always supported them. Cousins sought jobs, uncles proposed investments, and aunts talked about partnerships. Egor politely declined them all, remembering their earlier disdain.
Eventually, Viktor Sergeyevich himself visited the garage. Without words, he toured the premises, examining equipment and staff. Quietly observing Alice managing the office, something shifted in his demeanor. Later, Alice received an invitation to a family dinner.
Despite Egor’s hesitation, they accepted. At dinner, her father finally spoke, his voice softer.
“You proved me wrong, Alice. You both built something special. Not just wealth, but true happiness.”
That acknowledgment meant everything. Alice understood their struggles had led to this moment, a victory of love over ambition.
Returning home that night, she laughed quietly, holding Egor’s hand.
“My family now envies us,” she whispered.
Egor looked puzzled. “What do they envy? They have much more money.”
Alice smiled warmly. “They envy our happiness.”
Life continued with its share of challenges. The business demanded constant attention, competition increased, and clients could be difficult. Yet each evening, Alice and Egor returned home, exhausted but fulfilled, knowing their happiness had come from their choices, not anyone else’s plans.
Alice realized deeply that true joy doesn’t come from wealth or privilege—it comes from finding someone who genuinely loves you for who you truly are.