I never thought that my life would be connected with a man like Vladimir Makarov. I still don't understand how it happened. Our eyes met in a Moscow club, and a spark ignited between us like a lightning bolt. He was nothing like what the media portrayed him to be. He was intelligent, gallant, and had a strange, alluring roughness in his eyes. Our relationship was short-lived, lasting only three months. He was my first. And perhaps this played a cruel trick. The relationship began like a fairy tale: romantic evenings, sincere conversations, and laughter. But over time, life in his world took him away from me. He became increasingly distant, and although I tried to understand him, I was plagued by doubts. There were constant meetings, dark men with machine guns, and secret calls. Volodya became a stranger, tired, and drained of energy. He used to look at me as if I were the entire world. Now, he looked through me. Every time he didn't respond to my messages or was late at work, I would panic. Had he found someone else? One day, at dinner, I couldn't stand it. Everything was boiling inside me, and I blurted out: "Vova, if you've found someone else, I'll understand." The words came out of me as if someone else was speaking on my behalf. He looked at me with such bitterness that I felt uneasy. His face, usually clothed in confidence and strength, suddenly became vulnerable. It's all my fault. I've cornered him with my doubts and fears. Now he's sitting alone in his office. "You're being silly," –he said, and I felt ashamed of my insecurities. I felt a lump in my throat. "You're silly, and I don't need anyone else." His voice was so sincere that I believed him without question. But it was a moment that quickly faded like morning mist. He looked down at his empty plate, and I saw something in his eyes that made my heart ache. "I don't want you to doubt me. But maybe you're right. I'm not good at balancing relationships and work. It's not my forte. I'm sorry. Maybe it wasn't even worth trying," –he said, and I realized that he wasn't just talking about us, but about himself. He stood up, his figure silhouetted against the dim light of the kitchen. "I need time," –he said, and like a shadow, he disappeared into his office. I was left alone, feeling guilty and desperate, hugging my knees as I sat at the table. His eyes... I will never forget that look. The pain, the disappointment, as if I had stabbed him right in the heart. The shame burned through me. How could I have thought such a thing about him?