After laying her husband to rest, Anya made up her mind to tackle the clutter in the shed—a place her husband always kept off-limits. She let out a SHRIEK when she laid eyes on IT

Tired from the documents, even a little headache. But it did not shake the new manager’s confidence in her abilities. She decided to have a little rest and to sit with the papers at home.

As Michael used to do. He had never bought that combined. Now he would not have time to get it at a reduced price.

But the winter season is ahead. We have to think how to keep the cattle safe and sound. She was thinking about work when she crossed the threshold of the house.

And then the sadness came over her again. She was alone again. And Michael’s eyes from the picture in the living room were so penetrating that it made her want to howl.

Anna remembered Cindy Nikolevna’s advice that she should put away all Michael’s things. And the woman decided to follow that advice. No more grieving.

Life goes on. Putting aside the documents she had brought with her. Anna brought two large cardboard boxes from the pantry and began to put away everything that reminded her of Michael.

She put the souvenirs and her favorite mug and spoon. Last she took the portrait with the black ribbon. A farewell letter.

She whispered and kissed the picture of her husband and put it in the box. Anna decided to take everything she had collected to the very shed that Michael had converted into an office. It was dry there.

No snow in the winter, nothing should go to waste. Anna took the key and turned on the shed and the lights. It was her first time in this barn.

After Michael had remodeled the place. That’s the kind of obsession her husband had. He thought of this place as his territory.

Anna even mentally apologized to the deceased for trespassing. And then, putting aside all doubts and superstitions, mistressly looked around the room of the box. She decided to place it on an old cabinet that lurked in the corner of the small office.

By the way, from the inside, the shed really resembled a workroom. The walls husband paneling gypsum, cardboard, and painted in a neutral color on slab floors, put cheap carpeting. The furniture is old, but quite suitable for the working area.

Michael knew how to organize space. Anna was surprised that Michael had organized everything so well. She, too, was always at work, library, or household chores.

Why had Michael never once bragged to her that there was a decent office inside the barn? Why had she never been allowed in here, having identified the boxes on the cupboard? Anna sat pensively in the chair, looked at the desk, smiled sadly. There they were, gardening textbooks lay the table a stack, and next to them thick notebooks. She picked up one of them adorable.

Turns out Michael had been outlining reading. There were also notebooks with some lectures. Apparently, former agronomy students took them, probably from James too.

Anna put the notebook on the table, moved its edge, and immediately heard something fall from the table. She bent over to see it was a small, neat-looking key from the desk driven by curiosity. Anna picked up the key and got a better look at the desk.

There were no closing compartments at first glance, but as she opened the largest door, she saw a small compartment that was locked. And that very key came up. The lock inside clicked.

Anna froze. Had her husband hidden something there that she could not know? For all the documents, money, and so on. There was a normal safe in the house.

Probably nothing. Something to do with gardening, nothing more. So Anna decided, pulling out a small drawer.

In it lay a general notebook rolled up. The woman carefully picked it up. There were no inscriptions on the cover.

She opened the notebook. From the first lines, she realized that in front of her was her husband’s innermost secret, which she had not even guessed for ten years. Anna had never imagined that her Michael, her beloved husband, could be hiding something from her, that’s what the tape said.

She froze in suspense and read page after page as if swallowing the information. It was Michael’s personal diary. It’s considered shameful and ridiculous for a man to keep a diary.

I used to think so too, but then I realized that only by putting my thoughts on paper I could at least, talk to someone, at least to myself, because I could not share it even with the closest person to me, my wife. And so Michael’s diary began. Anna read her husband’s diary and realized that her husband had another life, another woman.

With Jenna as the name of that other woman. Michael had known her since childhood. They studied in parallel classes.

In the ninth grade, the first romantic relationship between them began. And after the graduation party they had their first time. Michael loved Jenna very much.

He almost idolized her. He even wanted to follow her to law school. But he didn’t get enough points.

Good thing there was a shortage of technical schools that year. So Michael became a student after all. But they saw Jenna less and less often.

And this made Michael very sad. But she was quite calm. And then Michael saw her behind someone else.

He drove an expensive car up to her driveway and got out with a gorgeous bouquet of roses. Jenna hung around his neck. At that time Michael, a mere student, could not please his beloved so much.

Is a car and flowers the most important thing? He then walked up to them and looked Jenna in the eyes. What did you want? The girl laughed. You’re just a friend.

And William I love for real. The friend swallowed his resentment and asked Michael. How was everything between us? Just an experience.

Jenna shrugged and jumped into the car with William. Boy, have you figured it out. Condescendingly asked his new suitor Jenna Maya.

I don’t advise you go to her again. And he too, got into the car, and they drove off. And Michael stood there.

Yes, he wanted to scream, to run, to throw a brick at the car as it drove away. But he held back that night, he got drunk for the first time. So drunk he couldn’t remember himself.

The next night, he had a conversation with his father in the kitchen. The father persuaded that Michael would have a carload and a small cart of such duties. The son didn’t agree.

After all, he loved for real, and the father only sighed and shook his head. Time passed. No longer Michael did not seek meetings with Jenna.

And she did not seek meetings. Soon he learned that his ex had married the rich man William. It hurt and hurt the guy, and he decided that he would never let any girl into his heart again.

Yes, there were romances, but they were noncommittal. He also chose girls, simpler. After the institute, Michael tried to do business a little.

It worked. On the personal front everything was the same. Then he met Anna honestly.

At first, Michael decided that she is one of many a little play in love, and he will leave her at first sight. Anna didn’t hook Michael in any way, just a grey mouse, a graduate of the art institute, future librarian. But then there was some kind of breakdown.

Yeah, Anna wasn’t beautiful like Jenna. But Michael realized that not a minute went by that he didn’t think about her. Her beauty wasn’t external.

It was as if they came from within. Her eyes. Michael was simply drawn to that blue pool.

And yet it wasn’t love. That’s what he thought true love was in his life. Then one day he met Jenna.

She and her husband came into his auto parts store. The husband, of course, didn’t recognize him. But she, Jenna pretended not to recognize him.

And only when her husband was distracted looking at the label of an expensive motor oil. She quietly asked him if you were living alone. And smiled condescendingly.

I’m getting married soon. Immediately answered Michael. Why did you say that? Out of spite, I guess.

No, he wasn’t going to marry me. Jenna shrugged her shoulders when she heard the answer. That made Michael angry.

She didn’t care. Neither did he care. But that same night he proposed to Anna.

God, how happy was that girl? Michael wrote in his diary. I thought she just looked at me like I was God. And I was.

I was a little ashamed. I swore my love to her and my chest was empty. I loved another then and then loved another when I came out of the registry office with her.

And then when she cuddled me at night. Everything changed when the first problems appeared in Michael’s business. Anna was so sincerely worried about her husband.

Tried to calm him down, encourage him. That’s when he drew the first parallel. And how would Jenna behave in this situation? Of course, she would have run away without thinking.

Anna was there for her. She was not afraid of poverty or problems. She readily supported her husband when he expressed his thoughts about moving to the country.

Anna was ready to follow him to the end of the world. It was only in the village that Michael realized that he really loved Anna. It was only then that he realized how beautiful she was.

And it wasn’t just her bottomless eyes that charmed her her soft skin, thick russet hair, slim waist. Or maybe she had only gotten more beautiful over the years. Anna was also a wonderful hostess.

She cooked deliciously. The house was always so cozy. And she never complained about the lack of money or the hardships of life in the village.

At night Michael embraced his wife with special tenderness. And during the day he worked and worked. And now they do not know the need for anything.

The house, carting, everything is in it. Michael, an honorable man. Yes, he wanted children too.

Very much. If Anna’s problems had been discovered at the beginning of their life together, he would have left her without a second thought. But now he couldn’t, because without Betty there was no point to his existence.

Then two years ago, he suddenly met Jenna. Michael had just gone into town to pick up another shipment of parts, when he suddenly saw her walking down the sidewalk. Yes, he recognized her immediately, though she didn’t have her usual glossy, tired look.

Michael drove behind her, slowed down. Why did he do that? He didn’t understand. Perhaps he wanted his former lover to see his expensive car.

And he himself looked quite presentable. So she’d see him and bite her elbows. Jenna recognized him and really changed her face.

Hi, she said confused. Hi, he smiled for a ride, Jenna agreed. And then, sitting in the interior of the car, they had a conversation.

Jenna told him that her husband had left her, left her without money. She didn’t graduate from college. Now she works as a cashier in a supermarket.

How are you doing? Shiley asked Jenna. I’m doing fine, Michael smiled. I’m what they used to call a fist.

Married? Yeah, sure. But no kids yet, Michael answered briefly. Jenna was silent, and then cried.

Michael was confused, stopped the car, began to calm her down, and then everything was a blur. A cheap hotel room. A hug.

When Michael realized what he had done, he immediately got ready to leave. The room is paid for 24 hours and I’m getting dressed, he said to Jenna. You can stay, and you’re holding out.

She asked. Now she looked content and happy. And almost as beautiful as before.

But Michael couldn’t look her. He was ashamed in front of his wife. Betty was the one he really loved.

This was all just a misunderstanding. I have to go home. Without looking in her direction, Michael answered.

We’ll see each other again. No, forget the whole thing. How can you not do this to me? You’ve always loved only me, haven’t you? Jenna shrieked.

That was a long time ago. What happened today? A mistake. I only love my wife.

I’m sorry. Saying this, Michael left the room, leaving a crying Jenna behind. Was it her? Pity.

A little ashamed of his behavior. But on the other hand, now they were even. He tried to forget about the story.

But after a while Jenna called him, found his numbers through mutual friends. Hi, she told him I’m pregnant. Congratulations, he said.

What does that have to do with me? It’s your baby. Of course, Michael didn’t believe it and asked Jenna not to call him anymore. But she did not calm down and sent him a text message the next day that she would tell his wife about everything…