Kira Argounova, a young woman who returns to Petrograd(now Saint Petersburg) after attending university in Kiev. She arrives in a city filled with uncertainty and change, as the Bolshevik Revolution has recently taken place. Kira reflects on her family's aristocratic background and the new socialist regime.
Kira arrives at her family's once-grand apartment, which is now in disrepair and nearly empty. She is the only remaining member of her family in Petrograd. The rest of her family has either fled the country or perished. Kira's mother is gravely ill, and her father, a former professor, has died.
Kira, living in poverty and trying to survive in the new Soviet society, witnesses an accident in the street. A truck crashes into a horse-drawn carriage, and Kira helps the injured. She meets a man named Andrei Taganov, a Communist Party member, at the scene. Despite their political differences, there is a connection between them.
Kira remembers her past, a time before the revolution when her family enjoyed a life of privilege. She recalls her time at the university, her childhood friend Lyova, and her love for him. She dreams of a time when they can be together again. Kira's experiences in the new Soviet society have made her disillusioned with the revolution.
Kira Argounova begins a love affair with Andrei Taganov, a high-ranking member of the Communist Party. Their relationship is passionate and complicated, as they come from opposing political backgrounds. Kira struggles with her feelings for Andrei, even though she views the Bolshevik regime with disdain.
As Kira's relationship with Andrei intensifies, she faces personal challenges and the harsh realities of life under the Soviet government. The scarcity of goods and food, the ever-watchful authorities, and the oppressive atmosphere in Petrograd take their toll on her.
Kira's mother's condition worsens, and she requires medical care that is increasingly difficult to obtain. Kira's desperation to help her mother leads her to make a difficult decision. She seeks the help of a doctor, and in doing so, she risks her life and Andrei's trust.
Kira's relationship with Andrei continues to develop, and they share a deep connection. Despite their political differences, they find solace in each other's arms. However, Kira is aware that this love affair is a dangerous secret ina society where personal freedoms and relationships are closely monitored and controlled.
Kira's longing for a better life, where she can freely love and be with Andrei, intensifies. She dreams of escaping to a place where they can be together without the constraints of the communist regime. However, the realities of their circumstances and the ever-present threat of betrayal
cast a shadow on their happiness.
Kira's life becomes increasingly difficult as she struggles to support herself and her family in the challenging circumstances of post-revolution Petrograd. She shares her thoughts on the changes in the city and the oppressive atmosphere. The scarcity of food and resources worsens, and Kira faces hunger and cold. Her love for Andrei remains a beacon of hope.
Andrei Taganov's life takes a different turn as he becomes more deeply entrenched in the Communist Party. His career and status within the party begin to rise, but it comes at the cost of his relationship with Kira. He is pressured to distance himself from her, and their love affair becomes strained.
A stranger, Alexander Alexandrovich, arrives in Petrograd and encounters Kira. He appears to be interested in her, and their chance meeting sparks a connection. Kira learns about his life and experiences in the south, where life is not as harsh as in Petrograd.
Kira's friendship with Alexander deepens, and she finds solace in his company. He provides her with a glimpse of a different world and offers her moments of escape from the oppressive reality of Petrograd. The contrast between Alexander's world and Kira's life in the city becomes more pronounced.
Kira's relationship with Andrei becomes more strained as the pressure from the Communist Party intensifies. The authorities grow more suspicious of her family, and Kira faces the difficult choice of either denouncing her love for Andrei or risking their lives. Her internal conflict deepens.
Kira's family faces increasing hardships, and her mother's health deteriorates. Desperate to save her, Kira makes a daring decision. She sells her jewelry to secure medical treatment for her mother and uses the money to escape Petrograd. She leaves behind everything and everyone she knows, including her lover, Andrei.
Kira finds herself in a new city and a new life. She is haunted by memories of Andrei buttries to build a future for herself. One day, she meets Leo Kovalensky, a former officer who has also escaped Petrograd. They bond over their shared experiences and form a close friendship.
As Kira and Leo build a life together, they both carry the weight of their pasts. Kira's love for Andrei remains unresolved, and Leo grapples with the trauma of his experiences during the revolution. They find solace in each other's company but remain haunted by the memories of a life left behind.