All my money is mine, and yours is yours,” her husband laughed, unaware that she had just received a multimillion-dollar inheritance.

All my money is mine, and yours is yours,” her husband laughed, unaware that she had just received a multimillion-dollar inheritance. “Can you imagine? The terrace faces directly east,” Igor squeezed her hand as they crossed the street. “We’ll wake up in the morning and the sun will rise over the pines.” Vera smiled, leaning on his shoulder. The February wind ruffled her scarf, but next to Igor she felt warm. They walked along the promenade, talking about their dream house, a topic that came up more and more often. “I just need a bigger window,” she said dreamily, closing her eyes. “So there’s plenty of light. I’ll put an easel there.” “And you’ll paint your pictures,” Igor nodded, gently ruffling her hair. “And I’ll make special shelves for your paintings.” Vera leaned closer to him. A year of their relationship had flown by like a single day: long conversations, evenings together, a trip to Kazan during the May holidays. Igor seemed so reliable, self-assured. His construction b...