Grigory Berezin, the director of a state farm in the Kuban region—a married man held in high regard—fell in love with Olga Chernobrivtseva, a striking and exceptionally beautiful woman. This affair prompted an anonymous letter, which in turn caused their love to evolve into a quiet, mutual pity. Both hoped that, with time, the malicious gossip would fade and the situation would resolve itself. But fate had other plans: a sudden, violent hurricane struck the coast, and the Berezins—along with everyone else—rushed into the raging waters to save lives. Following his wife’s death, Berezin concluded that he no longer had any right to personal happiness...