This novel explores a complex psychological relationship between two men, bound together by a past love affair and a sense of guilt. The story begins when the Russian aristocrat Vilychanskin receives a surprising visit from Pavil Pavlovich Trotskis. This bearded man had a romantic relationship with Vilychanskin before his wife died. The “eternal husband” symbolizes the role that the husband played in his own life, as well as his inability to face his wife’s lover. It turns out that Trotskis’ young daughter, Lisa, is actually Vilychanskin’s daughter. But this secret weighs heavily on Vilychanskin, causing him deep feelings of guilt and responsibility. He tries to protect his daughter from her alcoholic father, who is also suspected of being her biological father. The novel shows how love, betrayal, and confession merge into a complex web of conflicting emotions between the two men, filled with hatred, sympathy, and provocation.In this psychological power-game, it’s like a fight between a cat and a mouse. The novel blends elements of tragedy and dark comedy in its portrayal of these characters. The story ends with an emotional confrontation between the two men. In this confrontation, Trostsev reveals his desire for revenge, as well as a mysterious emotional connection that’s hard to understand. This makes the novel a profound study of jealousy, guilt, and human vulnerability—more than just a story of official betrayal.