Amarcus was starting to get annoyed. “I respect your space. But this is different – we’re becoming a family.”
‘And that’s why you want me to sign everything over to your mother?’
‘Don’t be dramatic!’ Amarcus raised his voice. “Just sign the papers. It’s for the greater good!”
Verana remembered her father’s warning about manipulators, ‘They always talk about the common good when they want something for themselves.’
‘I have to go,’ Verana said, picking up her bag.
‘Wait, wait!’ Amarcus grabbed her arm. ‘Where are you going?’
‘I’ve heard enough,’ she replied. ‘I need to think.’
‘There’s nothing to think about,’ Irene said, her voice stern. “The papers are ready. Just sign.”
Verana felt a cold clarity sweep over her. She stared at them, her confidence shattered. ‘I’ll see you tomorrow,’ she said and walked out.
Non-wedding
At home, Veranna pulled out her wedding dress that she had dreamed of for so long. Then she opened the velvet box containing the sapphire ring.
‘What to do now?’ – she thought, sitting on the edge of the bed. By morning, she knew the answer: cancel the wedding.
Without calling Amarcus, she went to the registry office and cancelled the ceremony. The clerk looked at her sympathetically, but asked no questions. Verana called all the guests, cancelled the restaurant, the decorations and the cake.
Her phone rang non-stop – Amarcus. She didn’t pick up. Messages poured in: ‘What’s going on?’ ‘Are you crazy?’ ‘Call me!’
She replied briefly, “No wedding. Thank you for showing your hand before and not after.”
Amarcus reacted quickly, ‘You ruined my life!’ ‘You care more about your business than your family!’ ‘Selfish!’
Veranne dialled his number. An hour later the calls started coming in from unknown numbers – Irene Clark.
‘Verochka, what’s wrong?’ You could hear the barely concealed irritation in Irene’s voice. “Amarcus said you cancelled the wedding. Is this a misunderstanding?”
‘No, not a misunderstanding,’ Verana replied firmly. ‘I will not marry a man who gives me ultimatums about handing over my property.’
‘You’re making it up!’ snapped Irene. “Amarcus wanted to protect his family and you didn’t even give him a chance to explain! Stupid girl!”
Veranna hung up the phone. The calls stopped and she felt relieved.
Her friends supported her. When the stupor passed, Veranne told them the whole story. ‘You did the right thing,’ Liza said. ‘Imagine what would have happened afterwards.’
Veranne’s mum, Alla Sergeyevna, was firmly on her side. ‘Your father would be proud of you,’ she said, hugging Veranna. ‘He always believed that you would make the right choice, even if it was difficult.’
Life without Amarkus
Two weeks after the non-wedding, Verana met with her long-time business partner, Mikhail Andreevich. Over a cup of coffee, they talked about recruitment.
‘A young man came in to see us,’ Mikhail Andreevich said. “Amankus – I can’t remember the surname. Said he had experience in counselling and knew how to work with clients.”
Veranna froze mid-sip. ‘He didn’t mention me, did he?’
‘Well,’ Mikhail hesitated, “not at first. But then, as we were just about to end the conversation, he suddenly mentioned his fiancée, an “up-and-coming entrepreneur”, and said that if she would turn her business over to him, it would be very profitable for us.”
Veranna smiled grimly. ‘That sounds familiar.’
‘Yeah,’ Mikhail grinned. ‘Apparently it’s not such a rare trick for him.’
Verana didn’t bother telling him that Amankus was her ex-fiancé. She simply thanked Mikhail. It was all clear now.
Amankus had never loved her – he only wanted business.
She took up her work with renewed vigour: she modernised her equipment, expanded her staff and signed new contracts. On weekends, she enjoyed spending time at the cottage, drinking cocoa, reading and reflecting on the lessons her father had taught her.
Six months later, she received a message from Amarcus: “Veranne, I’m sorry. I made a terrible mistake. Let’s talk.”
Veranne stared at him, remembering his failed venture. She dialled his number again and smiled.
‘If anyone ever says to me again, “Either you hand over the business and the dacha or there will be no wedding”, I’ll just smile,’ she thought. “Indeed, there will be no wedding. Thank you for your honesty.”