— Evelina asked, smiling.
— Brilliantly! They signed a six-month contract, — Alexey’s voice sounded enthusiastic. — I’m not far from your place. Can I stop by? We can celebrate the victory together.
Evelina looked at the glass of wine in her hand. In the past, she probably would have said no — she valued her personal space too much. But now…
— Come on over, — she replied. — I have a good bottle of wine open, and I was just about to order dinner.
— I’ll be there in 10 minutes!
Evelina put down the phone and went to the window. Outside, the spring city spread out — bright, noisy, full of possibilities. So different from the rainy landscape she had watched from the window of her rental apartment three years ago.
“I’m grateful to you, Klavdiya Gennadyevna,” Evelina thought with a slight smirk. “If it weren’t for you, I would never have found the strength to start a new life.”
The doorbell announced Alexey’s arrival. Evelina opened it, letting in a person with whom she felt easy and calm. A person who respected her boundaries, admired her successes, and never tried to control or change her.
— I have a gift for you, — Alexey handed her a small box. — To celebrate the end of the project.
Evelina opened it and laughed. Inside was a miniature silver replica of their agency’s logo.
— This was our first project together, — she said, looking at the gift. — Do you remember?
— Of course, I remember, — Alexey smiled. — It was the beginning of everything.
Evelina looked at the man before her — attentive, reliable, self-sufficient. Perhaps with him, she could build what she had dreamed of: an equal, respectful relationship, free from toxic control and manipulation.
— Thank you, — she smiled sincerely. — For the gift and for… for everything.
— Thank you, — Alexey replied. — For letting me be a part of your life.
They went into the living room, where Evelina poured a second glass of wine. Outside, it was getting dark, but inside her soul, it was light and calm. Life went on — a new life, in which no one dared to tell her who to talk to or how to live. And it was wonderful.
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