All Amazing Babies

The wind, like a heavenly shepherd, herded dark clouds across the sky, and the air was sharply scented with rain.

In the courtyard, on an inconspicuous bench near the flower bed, sat a young girl, who, with her eyes covered by her hands, wept softly.

It seemed that the approaching rain didn’t frighten her at all, and she was so immersed in her suffering that she noticed nothing around her.

The first heavy raindrops had already fallen on the asphalt, signaling that a downpour would break out in a minute or two.

Residents of the nearby high-rise buildings hurried to return home, to avoid being caught off guard by the bad weather.

Nobody paid attention to the crying lonely girl, except for the janitress Klavdia Nikitichna, who could not pass by without stopping.

«Hey, dear… Why are you crying? It’s going to rain any minute now, and you’re sitting under the open sky… Has something happened?» she asked, touching the stranger’s sleeve.

«Something happened, auntie…» the girl managed to say through her tears, shyly glancing at the janitress.

«Well, you can’t help your sorrow with tears… Especially now that the rain is starting… Come with me to my backroom, you can tell me everything there,» said Klavdia Nikitichna and led the tearful girl to the basement, where she had a room set up for storing equipment.

Once inside, Klavdia, first of all, put a kettle on the electric stove and seated her guest in an old armchair standing in the corner.

At that moment, a real downpour with thunder and lightning tearing through the sky erupted outside.

Meanwhile, the change of scenery benefited the girl, who stopped crying and looked gratefully at Klavdia Nikitichna.

«Well, dear… Tell me, what happened and who hurt you?» the woman asked, pouring her guest a cup of hot tea.

With a heavy sigh, the girl sniffled and began her story.

It turned out that the stranger’s name was Dasha, and she had come from a remote, godforsaken taiga village.

Darya was an orphan and had recently buried her grandfather, the only family she had.

In search of a better life, the girl had headed to the city, where she got a job as a warehouse clerk at a food base.

After working the required month, she eagerly awaited her salary, but, as it turned out, the cunning employers had tricked the provincial orphan, pinning a huge shortage on her.

Thus, the unscrupulous dealers wanted to make the unfortunate girl work for them for free by using unpaid debts.

Barely escaping this trap, Dasha left without knowing what to do next.

Klavdia Nikitichna, without uttering a word, patiently listened to her guest, only occasionally shaking her head in dismay at human wickedness.

Then, after coughing, she said:

«It happens, dear… But don’t worry, maybe I can help you with something…

My daughter works at an agency… They’re hiring staff for hotels and homes of wealthy people… All honest and without deceit… Basically, if you want to work, everything else will come along.

So, shall I put in a good word for you?»

Dasha’s eyes lit up when she heard such a good offer for herself:

«Of course, I agree, Aunt Klav!!! …I have plenty of desire… Besides, I need to live for something…

«Well, that’s settled. You’ll spend the night with me today, and tomorrow you’ll go to the interview. In your situation, it’s a profitable option, Dashenka…» Klavdia Nikitichna replied, smiling encouragingly at her guest.

 

That day, they chatted until late in the evening, feeling a growing mutual sympathy for each other.

Aunt Klava, as promised, called her daughter and outlined the situation.

The next morning, Dasha was given the address of the house where she would soon work as a maid.

The house was located in an elite cottage area, where one building was more beautiful than the other.

At first, Dasha felt like she had entered a fairy-tale city, where kings and queens lived in beautiful castles.

But when she found the address she needed, she was simply stunned by everything she saw.

The mansion of her future employers turned out to be so large that it stood out even against the palaces of the other wealthy citizens of the village.

The homeowners, Adelina Vasilievna and her son German Viktorovich, received Dasha warmly.

Their requirements were quite reasonable, so the employee and employers were generally satisfied with each other.

But especially, Dasha caught the eye of German, who from the first day of acquaintance began to show her all sorts of signs of attention, literally undressing her with his eyes.

Darya did not understand the young owner’s gaze, because at that time, preparations for a wedding were underway in the house, and according to Adelina Vasilievna’s opinion, the bride was from a very rich and influential family.

«And why do you need me… An orphan, penniless…,» Dasha thought, embarrassed by German’s salacious glances.

The girl did not know that her owner’s passion was for girls whose hearts he broke with shocking regularity.

Adelina Vasilievna turned a blind eye to her son’s antics, believing that a young man needed to socialize with the opposite sex to gain experience.

Towards German, Dasha behaved extremely coldly and politely, trying not to stand out or attract attention to herself.

But, unfortunately, her appearance did not give the young owner peace, and one evening, in desperation, he decided to go to extremes.

Dasha had just finished her housework and was about to go to sleep in the maid’s house.

But German, who had ambushed the maid in the kitchen, grabbed her by the hand and literally dragged her to one of the many guest rooms.

The young rascal was drunk and could no longer restrain his desires.

«German Viktorovich, what are you doing? What do you want from me? I’ll start screaming now…» Dasha timidly protested.

«Scream as much as you can… You’ll scream, and tomorrow you’ll find yourself on the street. And I’ll write such a review to the agency that they won’t take you even as a cleaner in a barracks…» German said, unabashed.

No matter how hard Dasha tried to resist the insolent owner, she still failed. The girl liked her job, and German turned out to be very persuasive. The girl cried, kneeling and pleading, but the rich son did not back down until he got his way.

 

«Why, German Viktorovich? Aren’t you getting married…,» Dasha asked through tears when it all happened.

«Of course, I’m not getting married… Imagine that… Well, what of it? Work and keep quiet. And I’ll throw in a bonus…» the major replied, catching his breath.

Dasha felt so disgusted that she wanted to quit and go wherever her eyes looked.

«But where will I go? Who needs me, an orphan without a penny in my pocket? And I can’t let down Klavdia Nikitichna’s daughter… She vouched for me when they took me without work experience and recommendations…» Darya thought, crying, spreading bitter tears across her face.

Deciding that the meeting with German would be a one-time event, the girl stayed and endured the offense.

It must be said that after everything that happened, the owner behaved as if nothing had happened, occasionally glancing appreciatively at the maid.

They say time heals, and Dasha didn’t have much of a choice, so she preferred to forget about the incident, erasing this unpleasant episode from her memory.

Soon, thinking about the events of that fateful night became impossible, as the Wedding Day approached, and even the always composed German experienced inner anxiety about it.

The wedding ceremony and the subsequent three-day celebrations were held with special pomp and were even covered by reporters from many local newspapers.

After German’s wedding, Dasha sighed with relief, deciding that now everything was over and the owner would no longer care about her.

To some extent, this turned out to be true. German, portraying a loving husband in front of his influential wife, didn’t even look her way.

But Dasha didn’t have long to rejoice.

One morning, she experienced nausea and mild nausea again, which had been accompanying her for several days.

Trying to dismiss the troubling thoughts, Dasha took a pregnancy test, the results of which shocked her so much that for a moment she lost her ability to speak.

«God… I’m pregnant… What now? …What a disgrace… What will people think? Got pregnant by a rich man for money… good maid, nothing to say,» Darya thought, crying and burying her face in a pillow.

Not knowing what to do next, Dasha told everything to German, whose fault for what had happened was undeniable.

«Well, you give me news, especially after the wedding… Do you want to ruin my life?

Well, don’t cry, silly. It’s good that you came to me right away. Now I’ll call a doctor I know and sign you up for an abortion,» German said, recovering from the initial shock.

«It’s a sin, German Viktorovich… How can you do this?» Dasha tried to object, but the major shrugged and didn’t want to listen to anything more.

When the owner left, the girl covered her face with her hands and cried loudly, mentally lamenting her unfair life.

But, as much as Darya wanted to keep the child, on the appointed day, she was already standing in front of the clinic door, where, after some time, her pregnancy was supposed to be terminated.

The girl tried twice to overcome embarrassment and fear and step inside the medical facility, but each time something held her back.

And on the third time, she turned around and walked away, her head bowed.

Raised by her grandfather in Christian traditions, Dasha could not commit such an atrocity and deprive her unborn child of life.

Remembering the promise given to the owner, the girl took out her phone and called the rich major.

 

«German Viktorovich, forgive me… Do what you want, I couldn’t…» Dasha sobbed…

«Well, well, things… She couldn’t… You women, only know how to spread your legs… But when it comes to paying, you all run into the bushes… Well, wait, I’ll come,» German grumbled irritably and hung up.

Dasha waited for him, sitting on a bench near the clinic.

German arrived about twenty minutes later and handed her the keys to a rented apartment and a bag of groceries.

«Here, take this… You’re no longer working as a maid. The belly will soon be noticeable and everything will become clear. Live in the apartment and don’t go outside unnecessarily. Give birth, and then we’ll figure it out…

Dasha, blushing to the roots of her hair, timidly took the keys and groceries.

«Well, that’s right… Don’t look for me, I’ll find you myself,» the major said as he left, getting into the car and driving off in an unknown direction.

Dasha felt disgusting and sick, but there was no other way out. The girl, who grew up without parents, couldn’t even imagine that one could deprive a child of life.

So, she preferred disgrace and future condemnation to sin.

«It’s okay… I’ll give birth, and then… I’ll go back to the wilderness and raise my son or daughter,» Dasha thought, trying to justify herself.

Time passed, and during the entire term of pregnancy, German, as promised, visited the former maid, bringing groceries and everything necessary.

Of course, his visits seemed to Dasha like a paltry handout with which the major tried to atone for his guilt.

Frequent absences of the son aroused suspicions in Adelina Vasilievna, who decided to ask him about everything directly.

Of course, the woman expected to hear anything but this.

«German, are you a complete cretin, brainless? Kristina’s father will destroy you… Understand, we are nothing against him… There, such money and connections are involved, that we haven’t even stood close…

In short, while there’s still time, sort it out with the girl…

You messed it up yourself, so learn to clean up after yourself…

Next time, think a hundred times before you jump on the first maid you come across,» Adelina Vasilievna snapped angrily and, slamming the door, went to her office.

Meanwhile, German, holding his head in his hands, began to agonizingly think about what to do next.

«Alright, let her give birth… Then we’ll see. Anyway, she’s now in the maternity hospital under observation,» German thought, pleased with such a sound decision.

The major seemed to think the situation was under control, and when a few days later, happy Dasha called to inform him of the birth of twins, he already knew how he should act.

The babies were born healthy, strong little chubs, and to Darya’s joy, they weren’t kept in the maternity hospital for long, being discharged after a week.

The young mother’s happiness knew no bounds when she moved into the rented apartment, holding Nastenka and Kiryusha in her arms.

Of course, she didn’t see much joy in German’s eyes, but during the pregnancy, Dasha had become so accustomed to his mournful expression that she preferred not to pay any attention to it.

But, as it turned out, Dasha was deeply mistaken, underestimating German’s cunning.

One evening, he arrived, joyful, holding a cake. Pretending to be a caring father, he put Kiryusha and Nastenka to bed, and then sat in the kitchen to have tea with Dasha.

But before the girl could drink even half a cup, she suddenly experienced severe weakness and dizziness.

Losing consciousness, she noticed how German hid some tiny bottle in his pocket.

Dasha woke up several hours later in an unfamiliar place. Her head hurt terribly, and her vision was double.

Gathering her thoughts, the girl realized that she was tied up in the back seat of an unfamiliar car.

«Where am I going? Where am I?» she asked in a weak voice.

«Quiet, you damned wretch… Look, she’s come to… Don’t move, we’ll be there soon,» someone growled at her from the front passenger seat of the car.

Hearing this, Dasha fell back into oblivion and woke up in a hut, which looked very much like a forester’s or gamekeeper’s dwelling.

Dasha realized this by the simple camping gear and the multitude of various herbs drying over the stove.

The situation in her late grandfather Trofim Petrovich’s watchman’s hut was almost identical to this one, only larger in size.

 

Dasha’s hands were tied with rope, and her mouth was sealed with adhesive tape.

Listening to the conversation behind the wall, Darya barely made out fragments of phrases:

«Pity her… Maybe we shouldn’t drown her?» one of her kidnappers grumbled.

«But we were paid, Fed… She gave birth to twins to some rich guy and they decided to get rid of her,» his partner replied in a nasty falsetto.

Shocked by such news, Dasha looked around, trying to find a way out of the situation.

Suddenly, her gaze stopped on a window, beyond which a forest thicket was visible.

Realizing that this was her only chance to escape, Dasha carefully turned the latch and flung open the window.

Most likely, her kidnappers had not anticipated this scenario, thinking that a city girl would not know how to open the clever latches in village houses.

But Dasha grew up in a village and had been taught by her grandfather Trofim all the forest cunning from childhood.

Therefore, when the kidnappers entered the hut, deciding, after all, to drown her, the brave girl was already long gone.

Dasha ran, pushing through thickets of juniper and wolfberry.

Of course, it was harder to move with her hands tied, but before she had run even a kilometer, Darya stumbled upon a forest path on a young bearded man with a dog…

Surprised, Dasha screamed and fearfully pressed her back against the trunk of a tree.

«Don’t be afraid… Trezor won’t bite… It’s a hunting breed, not a fighting one,» the man said softly, adjusting the cap on his head, cracked from time.

«Please help me… There are bandits… They kidnapped me and wanted to kill me… It’s all because of my poor little ones,» Dasha pleaded, stretching out her bound hands to the guy in protective gear.

The stranger, who turned out to be a local gamekeeper, quickly freed the runaway from her bonds, and then without a word, took out a walkie-talkie and contacted the local police.

Describing the situation, he gave approximate coordinates of the criminals’ location.

To Dasha’s surprise, the local law enforcement acted quickly, and soon a search helicopter was circling over the forest.

«Let’s go to the watchman’s hut… I’ll make you some tea… You’re completely beside yourself… My sister came to visit me…

I wasn’t going to go on patrol today, but Trezor insisted… He probably felt that we would meet you,» the gamekeeper said, smiling and patting the dog on the back.

Dasha, feeling sympathy for this big and strong guy, willingly followed him.

In the gamekeeper’s hut, it was bright and cozy.

«Oh, Andryush… Who is this with you? Could it be your fiancée?» asked a girl standing on the doorstep. From the first glance, she had the upbringing and audacity of a city dweller.

«No… This is a girl… well… She got into trouble… And I helped… Just pour the tea first… and then you can start questioning,» the guy replied bashfully.

Over a cup of aromatic linden tea, calmed down, Dasha told her story from beginning to end, exactly as it really happened, without any omissions or understatement.

All this time, the gamekeeper’s sister, Polina, listened attentively to the girl’s story, periodically making some notes with a pencil in a small notebook.

 

Answering the unspoken question in Dasha’s eyes, Polina smiled and took out a journalist ID from her pocket.

«I came to my brother in the wilderness… To cover the issue of poaching and corruption locally… But your story will be much more important, so rest assured… I won’t let this go, and everyone will find out about this case,» the journalist said confidently.

«No, what a scoundrel that rich guy turned out to be… Decided to get rid of his own children’s mother… I would carry them in my arms, and he, you see, came up with this…» Andrei said angrily, to whom Dasha had taken a deep liking.

Soon, the local police officer called the gamekeeper and informed him that the kidnappers had already been detained and were giving full statements.

«Well, soon it’ll be the major’s turn… And if it doesn’t reach him, then Polinka with her article will help… She’s known in all publishing houses… and for such a hot material, they’ll go to any lengths,» Andrei said, trying to calm the agitated Dasha.

It must be said that the young gamekeeper was right.

Polina’s article was published two days later and caused a real sensation not only among the public but also among the higher echelons of power and law enforcement.

Thanks to the testimonies of the detained kidnappers and Dasha’s story, German was taken into custody.

Due to the wide publicity, the investigation proceeded at a rapid pace, and soon, the rich major was sentenced to several years in a colony.

Kiryusha and Nastenka, Dasha took from the rented apartment, rejoicing that German had not managed to harm the children.

Adelina Vasilievna, burning with shame, offered her help to the former maid, but Darya refused.

The girl decided to leave the city, which had been so unkind to her, and settle in a village, together with the gamekeeper Andrei.

The guy had a difficult past and had already experienced tragic relationships when his wife and daughter died in a car accident.

Therefore, learning about the trouble that had happened to Dasha and her children, Andrei joyfully accepted them into his home, which he had inherited from his parents.

Of course, at first, Andrei and Darya lived under one roof as friends… But over time, as often happens in life, friendly relations turned into something more, instilling love and feelings in their hearts.

Sister Polina, adept at understanding people, approved of her brother’s choice and joyfully plays with her nephews, of which she now has two.

Mysteriously smiling, Dasha and Andrei hinted that this was not the limit and they were thinking about a third child, who would undoubtedly add his portion of happiness to their strong family life

I never considered myself a simpleton. On the contrary, I had a lot to be proud of in this life. I managed to get out of a tiny town, move to a big city, get a good job there, and even buy a three-bedroom apartment. Then I got married, and it seemed like my happiness knew no bounds. How wrong I was then!

Hello dear readers! Today I will share with you another case from practice, which I found quite amusing. I hope you like it too. A client came to me and told me about an event that happened in her family.

 

I met Vlas a year and a half ago. We met on a river rafting trip, which was a first-time experience for both of us. A charming young man, he caught my liking instantly. He played the guitar wonderfully and sang beautifully. We spent two weeks in the forest, on the banks of the river, rafting on huge inflatable boats, sitting by the fire in the evenings, eating grilled fish, canned chickpeas, simple soups, and drinking amazingly tasty tea from tin mugs. Pine branches and fireweed flowers floated in it, reflecting the endless starry sky.

I moved to the big city from a provincial tiny town of ten thousand people. There were no jobs there for young people except in a quarry. Young people went to the North to earn money, working in shifts. Such a fate did not appeal to me at all. I wanted to enter the bigger world, especially since I graduated from school with honors and did very well on my exams. My parents supported me, and I enrolled in the history department. However, I never went into my field of study and ended up working at a real estate agency. I quickly earned a reputation as a professional, recommended by friends and acquaintances, and I was never out of orders. Our agency was one of the oldest and largest, so I was lucky to get a job here.

I worked a lot, not wanting to return to my parents. Of course, I never forgot about them, helped them with money. Soon, I was able to buy myself an apartment, paying off even before the due date. I was quite satisfied with my solitude, not looking for a relationship. I always thought that family was something too complicated. Moreover, I wasn’t a beauty. Perhaps men did pay attention to me, but I simply didn’t notice and lived peacefully. But Vlas was someone who I liked immediately, and he looked at me with openly admiring and loving eyes. After returning from the rafting trip, we had dinner together in a small cozy restaurant, and gradually began to date. The guy seemed to me a good and reliable person.

He too had moved here from a village. His parents lived far away but were happy that their son had settled down in life. Vlas worked in a building materials store. They didn’t pay too much, but he liked his job, and for me, money was not the main thing. I looked at a person’s soul, his thoughts. It turned out that Vlas was also in no hurry to start a family, looking for the right person. And that turned out to be me, and after six months, the guy proposed to me. I happily agreed. We decided not to celebrate our wedding too lavishly. We just quietly registered at the registry office. Our parents couldn’t come, so only close friends attended the celebration. We later sat in a cafe and returned to my apartment, now officially husband and wife.

I made our family nest cozy. Bought new beautiful bedding, sewed curtains for the living room and kitchen. We bought a large comfortable bed with a good mattress, changed the tile in the bathroom. In the evenings, we cooked dinners together. Vlas loved to cook, and he did it simply excellently. Especially his soups and fish were great. His Finnish roots on his mother’s side made themselves known. My husband’s fish soup with cod and cream could have conquered even the English queen.

 

We had almost enough money for whatever our souls desired. Next year we planned to go on a seaside vacation. I had never been there, and I really wanted to see the endless turquoise sea expanses.

But lately, my relationship with my husband had become tense. Vlas, who had been delicate and tender before, now allowed himself, for example, to joke quite roughly and sharply about my appearance. I didn’t consider myself a beauty, I had an ordinary appearance. One time he really hurt me, and I asked:

«If I don’t suit you physically and am too old, then why did you marry me, Vlas?»

«You’re a good person, I’m comfortable with you,» replied my husband, realizing that he had gone too far.

My husband was three years younger than me, and this also often became the reason for his inappropriate jokes. Such behavior hurt and irritated me greatly, and I repeatedly asked him not to behave like that with me. But my husband, initially apologizing, soon even stopped doing that, continuing to mock my nose, my very curly hair, or something else. It was like a kindergarten!

Such behavior of my husband soon brought its rift into our happiness, and I increasingly wondered why I tolerated such treatment with myself. When I was alone, nothing like this happened; I lived peacefully, no one insulted or upset me. It would have been better to get a cat than to live with a person who constantly tries to devalue me! My confidence was also shaken. I caught myself critically examining myself in the mirror and also beginning to criticize my appearance.

And one day I returned home early. Vlas was already in the apartment, talking to someone on the phone.

«My wife is a simpleton, she trusts me unconditionally. Her apartment will be mine,» I overheard my husband’s conversation.

I froze like a little mouse hearing the steps of a cat.

«Very simple, my sweet! I will persuade her to become a guarantor for a loan I take from the bank. I’ll say I want to open my own tire shop. She’s kind-hearted, she’ll support, and sign everything. A familiar notary, my good friend, will slip her the purchase agreement, and voila! The apartment is mine! And we will marry, as I have loved you for so long, and I only lived with Lena for the money. You know how tired I am of tolerating this cold herring?»

I listened and couldn’t believe my ears – and I had lived with this person for almost a year! However, I quickly pulled myself together, quietly left the apartment, closing the door, and rang the doorbell.

«Ol, is that you?» — my husband opened the door, looking at me in astonishment. — «Why are you ringing?»

«I forgot my keys.» — I tried to smile as cheerfully as possible. — «Mm, it smells delicious! I’m as hungry as a wolf!»

«Yes, I tried especially for myself. Salmon with oranges!» — Vlas proclaimed with pride.

We sat down to dinner, I poured myself some orange juice, and waited for my husband to start telling me fairy tales. And so it happened.

«Listen, Kolyan and I have wanted to open our own tire shop for a long time. I think I’m ready to start my business now.»

«That’s great news. Really, it’s time to stop working for someone else!» — I took a big sip of juice and put a piece of salmon in my mouth.

«You’ll be the guarantor when I take the loan?»

«Of course, darling, I believe in you so much!» — I smiled as sincerely as I could, nodding.

My husband beamed, got up from the table, and came over to kiss me. With effort, I restrained myself from flinching from this simple affection. After what I learned, I wanted to push the traitor out the door, throwing his things into the hallway. But I decided to teach my husband a lesson.

We went to the notary the very next day, not to delay. The happy husband chattered about how smart I was and how lucky he was with me. I mechanically dropped smiles, nodded, and soon we entered the office of a lanky-looking young man in a cheap suit not of the first freshness. He made the most repulsive impression.

Before the trip, I went to get a haircut. Rather, I told my husband I would go to the hairdresser, but I actually went to law enforcement. I laid everything out as it was, without hiding anything, and they promised to help me.

Now we were sitting in the notary’s office, and he, obsequiously, was sliding papers toward me.

«Right here and here you need to sign, dear Elena Mikhailovna!» — said my husband’s accomplice.

At that moment, law enforcement burst in, arresting both of them. The bewildered Vlas looked at me, hurt and confused.

«How could you, Lena?»

«How could you? You cheat on me, and you try to swindle my apartment. Aren’t you ashamed?»

They took my husband away. Afterward, I fully cooperated with law enforcement, though it was clear — my soon-to-be-ex-husband would go away for a long time. I filed for divorce, and since we had no common children or jointly acquired property, the process took less than a month. Already free, I remembered our life with Vlas and decisively did not understand what I did to deserve betrayal from the person I loved. After all, we lived well, we didn’t argue. But guessing what’s in the dark depths of another person’s soul is pointless. There are such inherently petty and nasty people whom you don’t recognize right away. Their nature is rotten, their intentions the lowest. And that was Vlas, whom I simply hadn’t noticed the alarm bells for a long time.

He even had another woman on the side. She came to me with accusations that I had packed her would-be groom off to places not so far away. I didn’t talk to Victoria for long, slamming the door right in her face. She still yelled insults at me for a long time, giving the neighbors a free show. I resolutely didn’t care what people thought of me. I needed to sort myself out, calm down, and get over the betrayal of someone I trusted. After all, I couldn’t have imagined Vlas would do something like this. He seemed so guileless, simple, bright, and warm. But, as they say, still waters run deep.

 

Left alone, I got a dog. It was the right decision. Labrador Marshmallow became my faithful friend. We walked with him in the evenings and mornings in the park, went to training. I doted on him, and solitude with Marshmallow didn’t weigh on me. My parents fully supported my separation. Mom came to visit, brought treats, lived with me for almost a month and a half. We talked a lot.

«I thought it would be like you and Dad. You don’t think that a person harbors evil.»

«I understand, darling. But don’t think, there are worthy men in the world.»

«At least Marshmallow!» — I patted the grinning labrador, who was vigorously wagging his tail, fiercely slapping me with it.

«And a bride will be found for Marshmallow. And you’ll meet your person. I didn’t find your father right away either. You know, this is my second marriage.»

I knew that Mom had married very young the first time but didn’t live with her ex-husband for even a year. But she went with Dad when she was almost thirty. And she was happy, and gave birth to me and my younger brother, Vanya. Dad became the man of her life, loved Mom and us very much. And Mom became his guiding star, his soul. We always felt that our parents loved and valued each other. They never argued in front of us, never raised their voices at each other. There was always peace and order at home, although difficult situations in life, like in every family, happened to us. And I desperately wanted the same – tightly-knit, soul to soul, and as my little brother used to say when he was a tiny baby, «nose to nose.»Perhaps Mom is right, and I will still meet my happiness. But for now, Marshmallow and I will live and gather goodness. I was warm and cozy with Mom, I missed her very much. But I still didn’t think about returning to my hometown. Stable work, my familiar apartment – all this held me. I tried not to remember Vlas, to erase him from my life. Misunderstandings happen to everyone. Everyone can make a mistake, the main thing is to learn the lesson fate presents and find the strength to move on. Even if I never get married, I will still be happy by myself. I don’t know what’s in store for me, but I try to live every day with joy and dignity.

Alexandra wearily sat down on a chair in the narrow utility room of the cleaning company «Blesk». It had been a busy day—three apartments, a country house, and an office. Every step was a struggle: her back ached, her legs buzzed. Only forty years old, yet she felt much older. She sadly smiled at her thoughts and began to take off her work uniform.

«So, getting used to it?» the energetic voice of Lyudmila, her colleague, rang out, snapping Alexandra back to reality.

«It’s okay so far, nothing special, thought it would be harder.»

«Ah, just wait! You haven’t faced the real challenges yet,» Lyudmila nodded importantly as if she were an expert on other people’s problems.

«You know, sometimes this happens… A ‘new Russian’ comes. Looks all decent, you think, what could be special? But no! You arrive at the place—oh dear! It’s as if a whole platoon of soldiers partied there non-stop for a week.»

Lyudmila gesticulated for emphasis, and Alexandra skeptically snorted:

«Come on, it can’t be that bad! And you handle this all by yourself?»

«What choice do I have?» Lyudmila shrugged. «We’re short on people, and the owners demand perfect cleanliness. Reputation is everything. So, we pretend to be professionals. Believe me, you’ll see plenty!»

«Guess they won’t trust me with such serious orders right away. Probably need to pass a probation period first, to be let into the wealthy homes?»

«Basically, yes,» Lyudmila agreed. «But don’t relax. Something unexpected might happen. Okay, I must go, swamped with work!» She grabbed her bag and hurriedly left, leaving only the click of her heels behind.

Alexandra watched her go. Where did that woman, over fifty, get so much energy? She never sits still!

Alexandra’s life hadn’t turned out as she had dreamed. Born without a father—her mother raised her alone, working to the point of exhaustion. At eighteen, foolishly, she became pregnant. The guy, of course, vanished instantly. Her mother just sighed heavily: «Seems like our fate—to give birth as maidens and then suffer alone.»

That’s when Alexandra decided: she wouldn’t suffer! As soon as her daughter turned two, she would find a job and start living independently. But the years passed, and no decent men appeared. Every time she tentatively tried to start a relationship, men immediately backed off, learning about the child. They recoiled from a single mother as if from the plague. Life was slipping right under her feet.

One day, in a moment of despair, she asked her mother:

«Mom, who was my father? Could he have been rich or famous? Why do we live so poorly?»

Her mother looked at her strangely, paused, then replied:

«He was rich, that’s for sure. Famous or not—I don’t know. But I decided to have you. He didn’t plan on a child.»

Alexandra understood everything. Her mother was right—one shouldn’t impose oneself on someone who doesn’t need you and your child. She just had to cope on her own.

It also didn’t work out with her daughter. As soon as she grew up, she distanced herself from her mother. She wanted a different life. Left at the first opportunity, hardly ever called or visited. Sometimes asked for money, but never about meeting.

Now her mother was seriously ill. Health problems—her legs were failing. Alexandra felt a lot of work ahead to provide for her mother’s treatment. Though she herself was over forty, she might have lived a little for herself, but honestly, that desire had almost vanished. All her energy went into just holding on and moving forward.

A loud door slam brought Alexandra back from her thoughts. How time flies when you’re lost in memories!

Olga Sergeyevna, the wife of the cleaning company’s owner, rushed into the utility room:

«Alexandra, great that you haven’t left yet! Listen, there’s an urgent matter. We have no one else. Are you free today?»

Alexandra blinked in confusion:

«Yes, Olga Sergeyevna, I was just about to go home. What happened?»

«We need to completely clean a huge house… In short, no time for explanations, let’s go!»

Alexandra sighed and, grabbing her bag of belongings, hurried after her boss.

After passing through several corridors, they entered Olga Sergeyevna’s office. Seating Alexandra across from her, she began:

«I understand you’re new here, not much experience. But there’s no choice—you’ll have to go. It’s an important client, a lot depends on this order for the company. I’m sure you’ll manage!»

Alexandra nodded, realizing it was impossible to refuse.

«Great!» Olga Sergeyevna was pleased. «So, you need to tidy up the mansion. Our client’s father lived there, recently passed away. Now we need to remove everything unnecessary and prepare the house for sale. I think there will be little dirt—these people are wealthy. But there’s plenty of work.»

«How long do I have?» Alexandra asked.

«Four days. The client is already there. Valentin will drive you. Come on, hurry!»

Alexandra raised her eyebrows in surprise. Olga Sergeyevna’s personal driver usually didn’t transport ordinary cleaners. However, the situation was exceptional. She obediently nodded.

«Wait,» her boss stopped her. «Be careful there. In rich homes, there are many temptations. Don’t even think about taking anything—the consequences will be very serious. And you’ll never be able to work in this specialty again.»

Alexandra was stunned by such a turn in the conversation. Indignation slowly began to boil inside:

«What are you saying, Olga Sergeyevna?! How can you even suggest?!»

«Now, now, don’t get heated,» she murmured conciliatorily. «Just had to warn you. But the pay is decent. Your mother is ill, right? Need money for treatment?»

Alexandra just nodded tiredly. Her mother had indeed recovered significantly, and the cost of medications was astronomical. There was no room for principles here.

«Alright, run to the car! Valentin knows the address, they’re already waiting for you.»

The client indeed awaited Alexandra at the massive gates of a luxurious three-story mansion. A distinguished middle-aged man dressed in a strict black suit, with an impassive expression. His stern look gave Alexandra a slight chill.

«Listen,» the client began without preamble, «while you were on your way, I thought it over and decided: the house needs to be completely cleared of all personal items. You will have four days instead of two. Leave the dishes, vases as they are. But clothes, photographs, and other trinkets—remove without a second thought.»

Alexandra almost objected, thinking about valuable items or memorable souvenirs that might be among the belongings. But she bit her tongue in time. It was not her place to question. What was said, must be so.

 

The client continued with instructions:

«Once everything is ready, the house can be put up for sale. The exterior must be impeccable. If you find anything truly valuable—jewelry, gold—report it to me immediately.»

Alexandra obediently nodded.

«Alright, get started. I’ll check the results in four days,» he said sharply and, turning around, headed to his car.

She watched him with a thoughtful look and set to work. Circling the mansion, she decided to start from the second floor. At first glance, the rooms were in perfect condition. The study, apparently the owner’s favorite place, pleased her especially. Everything sparkled, items were in their places, only a light dust and cobwebs revealed the long absence of residents.

In the bedrooms, however, more serious tasks awaited. Closets, like overstuffed barns, threatened to collapse under the weight of clothes and boxes. With a sigh, Alexandra descended to the first floor for trash bags, bracing herself for a long day’s work.

By nightfall, Valentin drove up for her, calling from the hall, but she asked him to wait a bit.

«Probably enough for today,» she thought, approaching the last cabinet. «I’ll start sorting, and finish tomorrow.»

Pulling up a chair, she stood on tiptoes to reach the contents of the top shelf. That’s when her gaze fell on a small, quite ordinary box.

Curiosity got the better of her. She carefully retrieved the find and, holding her breath, lifted the lid. Inside were old photographs and several documents.

The first photo made her freeze. It showed a young, beautiful mother. A version of her mother Alexandra had never seen—radiant, smiling. She began to sift through the other photos with trembling hands. There was her mother with a man—tall, elegant. His portrait she had seen downstairs, in the hall. Another photo showed herself—a chubby, little baby. This photo was kept at her home.

Her brain worked feverishly. Why were family photos here? Who was this man next to her mother? Could he be her father?

Her hands shook so much that she could hardly unfold the documents. The first was a will, covered with seals and signatures. Skimming the text, Alexandra gasped and collapsed onto the chair, powerless.

It turned out, the owner of the house—the man in the photograph—was her father! The will stated that many years ago, against his own will, he had left his love and child. All these years he had been tormented by remorse but did not dare to interfere in their lives. Feeling the end approaching, he decided to provide for the future of his daughter and her mother, leaving them the mansion, a significant sum of money, and an apartment.

Alexandra’s head spun. Could all this be true? No doubts—the names, dates matched. So, the father hadn’t just abandoned them? He loved them? Why then hadn’t he found them earlier? How much could have changed over the years!

A sudden noise and Valentin’s voice snapped her out of her stupor:

«Hey, Alexandra, are you coming soon? Are you even alive?»

«Yes, coming down now!» she replied, hurriedly stuffing the papers into her bag.

On the way home, she was silent, lost in a whirlwind of thoughts. She didn’t even notice how she got out of the car and climbed the steps. Only when her mother spoke did she realize where she was:

«Sasha, darling, what’s with you? You seem strange. Something happened?»

Alexandra slowly sat down on the couch next to her mother, took a deep breath, and blurted out:

«Mom, we need to talk. Today I learned something about my father.»

Her mother froze, her face twisted with anxiety:

«Lord, Sasha, what are you saying? So many years have passed… And probably, he’s no longer alive…»

«Exactly, he isn’t!» Alexandra pulled out the photographs and documents, handing them to her mother.

She put on her glasses, scrutinizing the pictures. Recognition, amazement, and deep pain sequentially reflected on her face. Taking the will, she slowly scanned the text, occasionally wiping away tears. Finally, she put down the paper and quietly said:

«Victor and I loved each other madly. We dreamed of being together all our lives. But he was born into the wrong circle… His family was wealthy and influential.»

She paused, gathering her thoughts:

«When our relationship became known, his parents were enraged. For them, it was a disgrace. They decided to marry him to a girl from a good family, who already had a child from a previous marriage. And by that time, you were already growing inside me…»

Her mother sobbed, and Alexandra tightly squeezed her hand, barely holding back her own tears.

«When the truth surfaced, Victor resisted for a long time. He didn’t want that wedding. He knew I was expecting you alone. But his father gave him an ultimatum: either the wedding or they would crush us both. What could we do?

«We spent a whole night talking. Cried, thought… And decided that the best way out was to part. He promised to help, but I refused. I was too proud, foolish…»

Now her mother was stroking Alexandra’s hand, and she, with shaking shoulders, allowed her silent tears to flow. How unjust everything turned out! They loved each other, wanted a family, but fate decided otherwise.

«We could have met many years later, even in old age… Embrace each other, talk. But we didn’t make it. It wasn’t meant to be…»

A heavy silence hung in the room. Alexandra, wiping her tears, broke it first:

«Mom, understand… He didn’t abandon us. Just circumstances. He thought of us all his life! Wanted to help, even if only in the end. We got everything he could leave.»

«Oh, Sasha, I don’t know…» her mother sighed. «So many years have passed. There will probably be other heirs.»

«But we’ll try!» Alexandra declared firmly. «Tomorrow I’ll go to a lawyer. Find out everything to the end. We’ll fight for what Dad did for us.»

The legal proceedings dragged on for almost half a year. The women desperately fought for the inheritance, proving their kinship with the deceased. Sometimes it seemed impossible to win—the other claimants were too strong and influential.

But one day, Olga Sergeyevna unexpectedly took their side:

«Sasha, forgive me, you old fool! I didn’t understand the whole story right away. When I delved into it, I realized everything at once. My husband and I had a similar situation. Then his kin was against our marriage. Threatened to disinherit, kick out of the house. But he stood firm, endured all the hardships for me. We won then, no matter what. And you, forty years ago, had it even tougher. Never mind, Sasha, we’ll manage! We’ll fight to the end!»

And they did indeed win. The court recognized Alexandra and her mother as the lawful heirs. To their surprise, they inherited the mansion, a significant sum of money, an expensive car, and even an apartment, whose existence no one knew.

 

«So this is our first little apartment!» exclaimed the mother, recognizing it. «We rented it from an old lady when Victor and I secretly met. Seems he bought it for us later…»

«Great, mom! You know what? Let’s gift this apartment to Milka. Your granddaughter, my wayward daughter. She seems to have straightened out, found a job. Let her live there, start her own family.»

The mother joyfully agreed. A few days later, she invited Alexandra and her granddaughter with her:

«Girls, shall we go to the cemetery today? I want to visit Victor.»

At the beautiful marble monument, the mother knelt, unable to hold back her tears:

«Hello, Vitenka. Forgive me for coming so late…»

«So many years lost, we didn’t meet in the end. Well, what can you do now. I’ll join you soon. Just wait a little…»

Alexandra tried not to listen to her mother’s words. Her heart squeezed from unspoken pain. Nearby, Mila tightly held her grandmother’s hand, also struggling to hold back tears.

When the mother, staggering, headed to the cemetery exit, Alexandra lingered at the gravestone. She couldn’t decide to leave. She wanted to stay here for at least a minute, talk to the person she never knew.

Shaking her head and casting one last glance at the monument, she hurriedly caught up with her relatives:

«Well, girls, home? There’s still so much to do!»

Oleg slammed the refrigerator door so hard that the contents on the shelves inside trembled. One of the magnets decorating its surface fell to the floor with a dull thud.

Lena stood opposite him, pale, with tightly clenched fists.

«Well, do you feel better now?» she exhaled sharply, tilting her chin up.

«You just drive me crazy,» Oleg’s voice cracked, though he tried hard to speak softly. «What kind of life is this? No joy, no prospects.»

«So it’s my fault again?» Lena laughed, but her laughter sounded bitter. «Of course, everything is not as in your dreams.»

Oleg wanted to reply, but just waved his hand. He opened a bottle of mineral water, took a sip straight from the neck, and set it on the table.

«Oleg, don’t be silent,» Lena’s voice trembled. «Just tell me what’s the matter?»

«What’s there to say?» he sneered. «If only… but you wouldn’t understand. I’m sick of all this. To the devil!»

They looked at each other in silence for a few seconds. Finally, Lena took a deep breath and went to the bathroom. Oleg sank onto the couch. From behind the door, the sound of running water could be heard: Lena probably turned on the tap to drown out her tears. But Oleg caught himself thinking that he no longer cared.

Oleg and Lena had been married for three years. They lived in Lena’s apartment, which she had inherited from her parents. After retiring, her parents moved to a country house, and the city apartment was transferred to their daughter. The apartment was spacious but with a simple renovation, and the furniture was almost from the Soviet era.

At first, Oleg was content: after all, the apartment was almost in the city center, close to work, in a decent area. But after six months, the daily grind began to irritate him. Lena felt cozy in her family fortress with familiar brown wallpaper and her grandmother’s sideboard. Oleg, however, found everything too mundane.

 

«Lena, explain to me,» he repeatedly started the same conversation. «Don’t you want to change that horrible yellow linoleum? Or re-paste the wallpaper? Make everything modern, stylish?»

«Oleg, we don’t have the extra money for a major renovation right now,» she answered, trying to speak gently. «Of course, I’d like to change everything, but let’s wait for the bonus or save up.»

«Wait?! That’s your whole life — waiting, enduring.»

Oleg often recalled how he met Lena. She was a modest student, but her blue eyes and kind smile conquered him. He told his friends, «I see a flower bud in her — just wait till it blooms, and everyone will be amazed.» Now, he seemed disappointed: «She hasn’t bloomed; she withered at the root,» he thought, watching as Lena wiped the dust from her mother’s fragile vases, fed sour cream to a kitten picked up from the street, or adjusted the frames with childhood photos on the walls.

But Lena didn’t feel like a «grey mouse»: she simply lived the way she thought was right. Small things pleased her — a new napkin, a quiet evening with a book, a cup of tea with mint, the warm light of a table lamp. Oleg, however, saw this as stagnation.

However, despite constant complaints, he didn’t want to divorce — deep down, the thought of having to move out of the convenient apartment to his parents’, with whom he never got along, held him back. Especially since his mother, Tamara Ilyinichna, tended to take his wife’s side in any argument.

«Son, you’re wrong,» she often repeated. «Lena is a wonderful girl, a smart one. You live in her apartment… be happy.»

«Mom, how would you know?» Oleg grumbled. «What do you even understand in life? Stuck, just like Lena, in your stone age.»

Tamara Ilyinichna sighed: her son had long drifted away. His father, Igor Sergeyevich, knowing Oleg’s temperament, only said:

«Let him figure it out, Tamara, don’t interfere.»

Meanwhile, Oleg came home and grew increasingly angry: «Lena is like a shadow, a grey mouse, and she even tied me to this apartment,» he kept telling himself. During another argument, he shouted:

 

«I once saw a beautiful flower in you! And now? I live with a frozen bud…»

Then Lena cried for the first time in many months.

And on that hot day — the same day it all started — they seriously discussed divorce for the first time. Oleg stood by the window, watching neighbors in the opposite house hang things on the balcony.

«Lena, I’m tired,» he said quietly, continuing to look through the glass.

«You’re tired… of what?» she tried to speak evenly.

«Of this life, of our endless quarrels. You’re locked in your pots and napkins. Do you think I want to aimlessly pass the years?»

Lena was silent for a minute, then took out the trash and left the corridor. Oleg heard the door slam. He hoped she would return in a couple of minutes, maybe explain herself. But Lena was gone for half an hour, returning more composed.

«You know,» she said, leaning against the wall, «maybe you really should be alone for a while. Move out.»

«No way,» Oleg snapped as if stung. «I’m not leaving my home.»

«Oleg, this isn’t your home. It’s my parents’ apartment,» Lena said bitterly. «Let’s be honest: it’s not working out. We need to accept that.»

He found nothing to reply, so he retreated to the room and sat at the laptop. But the thought haunted him: «Where will I go? To my parents… with whom I have strained relations.» The argument hung in the air, and in the following days, it repeated: they argued over trifles, but the root of each conflict was the same — indifference to his wife, whom he considered a «grey mouse,» mixed with the fear of being left without a roof over his head.

It reached a breaking point: Oleg finally got angry and filed for divorce himself. «I decide, not her,» he stubbornly muttered. «In the end, I have parents, I have somewhere to go.» He packed his bags and went to Tamara Ilyinichna and Igor Sergeyevich, though without much enthusiasm. Lena agreed to the divorce calmly.

Applications in the registry office — and soon they were officially no longer husband and wife.

Three years passed. Oleg lived with his parents all this time. Initially, he thought, «I’ll rest a couple of months and return to normal life: rent an apartment, find a new girlfriend who will share my ideals.» But he got stuck, as in a swamp. Work was joyless: money was only enough for modest pleasures. And the prospects somehow didn’t materialize. His parents grumbled that their son was over thirty and still living off them.

And then one cold spring evening, Oleg was returning after meeting a friend. He walked past a small cozy cafe, where bright lights shone in the window. Oleg decided to stop by to warm up. But, as he approached, he suddenly froze: Lena was standing at the entrance. The same Lena he left three years ago in her apartment. But this was a different woman: confident posture, neat hairstyle, strict but elegant clothes, and a calm gaze. In her hands were car keys, judging by the make, not cheap.

«Wow…» thought Oleg, not even realizing how he approached her.

«Lena?» he called out.

She turned around, didn’t recognize him at first, but then smiled. Oleg noticed that the smile wasn’t the same as before — shy and embarrassed, but truly calm and confident.

«Hi, Oleg,» she said. «Glad to see you! How are you?»

«Fine…» he adjusted his scarf, feeling somewhat bewildered. «I see you’re doing well.»

«Let’s just say, I now live as I always dreamed,» Lena answered without a trace of pomp.

«Is that so…» Oleg swallowed, trying to swallow along with the lump in his throat and the growing envy. «And… well done. Are you still working there?»

«No, I changed fields. I opened my own floristry studio. I was afraid at first, but…» she smiled. «Someone supported me.»

«Who is that?» the words slipped out before he could stop them.

Before Lena could answer, a tall man in a coat emerged from the cafe doors. He approached Lena and embraced her shoulders:

 

«Darling, a table just freed up, shall we go?»

Lena turned to Oleg, introduced the man:

«This is Vadim, meet him. Vadim, this is Oleg,» she smiled at the man, touched by his care. «Anyway, Oleg, I was glad to see you. I… hope you’re doing well too.»

Oleg nodded, feeling a storm brewing inside. Looking at Vadim, he suddenly realized: Lena was completely different, not the «grey mouse» he considered her. She had bloomed, like the flower he himself described, but not with him, with someone else.

«Lena…» he wanted to say something like «forgive me,» but all words stuck in his throat. «Happy for you, really.»

«Thank you, Oleg,» she replied softly but confidently. «Take care.»

Vadim smiled at Oleg, nodded slightly, and they disappeared behind the glass door of the cafe. Oleg felt the cold wind literally piercing him through. He closed his eyes for a moment and remembered: «Living with a frozen bud…» — he once harshly threw at Lena. And now the bud had bloomed, and he himself was left outside, both literally and figuratively.

Through the large windows of the cafe, he could see Lena and Vadim talking about something, laughing. He watched their gesticulation, sincere smiles, and caught himself thinking that his evening was already ruined. And not just the evening — the feeling of emptiness in his soul was growing. Once, he could have been the source of confidence for Lena, encourage her to change, support her aspirations. But he chose something entirely different.

Oleg, lowering his head, walked away from the cafe. Perhaps, if he could see himself now, he would realize that he had turned green — from envy, from regret, and possibly from the agonizing feeling of a missed opportunity.

there are always differences between the poor and the rich, the kind and the wicked, the educated and the uneducated. All of this becomes unimportant when a person arrives at the emergency room. Ambulance service is open to everyone. There, everyone is just a patient.

Yet even here, some manage to secure better conditions.

Lev Alexandrovich Bessonov was one such person. His room was private and equipped with the highest amenities. He had his own sink, a bathroom with a shower, a refrigerator, an electric kettle, and a television. The nursing care in his room was also of the highest standard.

However, despite the comfort, Lev Alexandrovich felt no joy, as he knew his days were numbered. His illness had reached its final stage and was steadily depleting his health. More painful for him was the realization that all he had earned through hard work and knowledge might end up in the hands of strangers.

He planned to leave part of his estate to the local orphanage and the remainder to his second cousins. He had almost no contact with them, but they were still relatives. He also planned to leave a piece to his household staff and driver. Lev Alexandrovich had no closer heirs left. His wife had passed away three years ago.

They had endured a severe tragedy. The grief was so intense that she could not recover after the disappearance of their only daughter.

 

This occurred more than twenty years ago. At that time, Lev, his wife Lena, and their six-year-old daughter Yulia were returning from their country house. They spent not only their weekends there but also managed a small garden that fed them and even brought in a little income.

They were traveling home by train. They were so tired that they didn’t notice how they fell asleep. When they woke up, Yulia was no longer there. Naturally, they raised an alarm and contacted the police, but all efforts were in vain. The girl had vanished.

For several years, Lev Alexandrovich tried to convince his wife to have another child. Lena always said she already had a child and didn’t want another. She couldn’t find the strength for it. Lena continued to live in the past and didn’t care about the present, much less dream about the future.

Lev tried to drown his inner pain by immersing himself in work. He was a physicist by training, knew several languages, and was engaged in teaching and translating technical texts, which also brought in a decent income. After a few years, he became the head of a department and then the director of one of the institutes. He often traveled abroad for conferences, interacting with scientists from different countries. All this became a salvation from the turmoil at home.

But Lena did the opposite. She quit her job, and the household chores were handled by the staff. She immersed herself in religion and spent a lot of time on it. Unfortunately, it brought her no consolation. Her heart couldn’t take it, and she passed away.

After her death, Lev Alexandrovich continued his scientific work and lived on as best he could. That would have continued if not for one «but.»

Years passed, he worked a lot and earned a lot. His wealth multiplied, and he never thought about why he needed it. It all seemed to him just the necessary attributes of status.

But a series of events eventually made him think about a will. After all, he had plenty of wealth. After two heart attacks, he was left disabled. Only after losing his health did he realize that he had almost no time left to live. He began to understand the futility of everything accumulated. The second heart attack was particularly serious…

«Hello, how’s our patient?» asked his nurse, entering the room with a duty smile. «Ready for breakfast? We have a delicious cottage cheese casserole with fruit and braised fish with mashed potatoes today.»

Lev Alexandrovich gazed out the window sadly.

«What the hell, breakfast. Just let me die,» he thought, but aloud he said something else:

«Thank you, Natasha. I think I’ll just have some tea, if you don’t mind.»

«No, you can’t do that,» replied Natalia with a gentle reproach. «You need to build up strength, you definitely need to eat something.»

Lev Sergeyevich felt embarrassed and, not wanting to appear like a spoiled rich man, quickly said:

«Let it be the casserole then.»

The nurse was pleased that she managed to convince him to eat, and hurried away.

Bessonov sighed heavily again, pondering why all these years mattered if there were no heirs. This thought haunted him.

«Too bad you can’t die ahead of time,» he thought.

To distract himself, he asked the nurse to turn on the TV. The news only deepened his melancholy.

«Why can’t you sleep?» asked Natalia. «You need rest, but you keep thinking about something.»

By the end of the day, Lev Alexandrovich finally fell asleep. In his dream, he saw his wife walking through a blooming field and calling him to follow her.

«Perhaps it’s time to join her,» he thought in his dream.

But then, at the edge of the field, his daughter Yulia appeared, reaching out to him and trying to pull him towards her. He bent down, took her hand, and felt the warmth of her little palm.

Opening his eyes, Lev Alexandrovich discovered that a nightlight was on in the room, and a little girl was standing next to him, holding his hand. He clutched his heart:

«Yulia?»

«No,» replied the little girl. «I’m Lena. There are many rooms here, and I got lost.»

He gathered his strength and sat up in bed. In front of him stood a little girl, strikingly resembling his daughter.

«So, you’re Lenochka,» he whispered. «And how did you get here?»

«I woke up, and mom wasn’t there,» said the girl. «I took my markers and went looking for her.»

He noticed that she was holding colorful markers in her hands.

«Oh, do you like to draw?» he asked.

«Yes,» Lena smiled. «I draw well. Nurse Tanechka gave me the markers so I wouldn’t be sad.»

«Why were you crying?» he asked with concern.

«Because…,» the girl limped slightly as she walked across the room. «The doctor said it’s forever now.»

Lev Alexandrovich again felt his heart constrict.

«My God! Why did this happen?»

«The doctor said I needed a vaccination, but mom didn’t allow it,» she explained.

«I see…,» Bessonov said, changing the subject. «Can you draw something for me?»

«Sure!» Lena exclaimed. «But I only know how to draw my mom.»

She came to life, took a sheet of paper from the bedside table, turned it over, and began to draw her mom. Lev Alexandrovich watched with interest as a woman with indeterminate age, bright yellow hair, and blue eyes appeared on the paper. He couldn’t help but smile.

The girl looked up at him questioningly, and he hastened to compliment her.

«Your mom is very beautiful, so young.»

«That’s not all,» declared the girl, adding a necklace to the woman’s neck. She carefully drew oval after oval, sticking out her tongue in concentration and furrowing her light brows.

 

Bessonov smiled again.

«How long it’s been since I felt this way,» he thought to himself.

Meanwhile, Lena finished the pendant. When she turned the paper towards Bessonov, he suddenly exclaimed:

«Sister!» Panic seized him, his heart raced, and he feared another heart attack might be underway.

The nurse who rushed in immediately inserted a vial of medicine into the IV, connected the system to the needle, and started monitoring the equipment. Only then did she notice the girl in the room.

«What are you doing here?» she whispered sternly. «Go back to your department right now.»

Lena, limping a bit and almost crying, backed towards the door but dropped the markers and burst into tears.

«What’s going on here?» The nurse quickly picked everything up from the floor, lifted the girl in her arms, and carried her out of the room.

Crying, the girl quietly repeated:

«I don’t know, I don’t know…»

«What don’t you know, dear?»

«I don’t know where to go, I’m lost.»

The nurse wiped her tears, set her down on the floor, and said:

«Stay here. I’ll help the sick man and then I’ll take you back to your department.»

Meanwhile, panic reigned there — a little patient had disappeared. Lena’s mother, ignoring the nurses’ persuasions, was loudly yelling at someone, and other mothers anxiously peered out from the rooms. When the anxious woman saw her daughter in the nurse’s arms, she immediately calmed down, rushed over, and grabbed the child as if they didn’t want to return her. Lena, sobbing, clung to her mother’s shoulder.

The next morning, Natalia was pleasantly surprised by the change in her charge. He greeted her with a smile and sparkling eyes.

«I’m glad to see you in such a good mood, Lev Alexandrovich!» exclaimed the nurse. «Feeling relieved?»

«Natalia, I’ll tell you more: today is a real celebration for me. Just help me not to spoil it.»

«Lev Alexandrovich, what exactly needs to be done?» Natalia asked with barely noticeable uncertainty.

«Please find this woman in the children’s department,» he indicated the portrait drawn by Lena and continued. «Her daughter, Lenochka, visited me yesterday. She limped, got lost in the hallways, ended up in my room, and then drew a portrait of her mom. It’s very important for me to meet this woman.»

 

Natalia looked at the child’s drawing with surprise, where a woman was depicted as on all children’s pictures, but she took it and stepped towards the children’s department.

When Lena’s mother entered the room, holding her daughter in her arms, Lev Alexandrovich was already sitting up, propped up by pillows. She was wearing a colorful hospital gown, and no pendant was visible. She entered and stood silently. He too was silent, just staring at her face as if trying to remember something.

«Excuse me, could you show me your pendant?» he inquired.

She took off the necklace and came closer. Lev Alexandrovich looked at the pendant — a four-leaf clover made of onyx in a silver setting.

«It’s the one! Exactly! Yulia!»

The woman flinched.

«Actually, my name is Anastasia, but I used to be called Yulia,» she replied. «But that was a long time ago.»

«My girl,» he whispered softly, «you’ve been found!»

Not understanding what was happening, Nastya looked at her daughter, who was standing in the middle of the room. The girl pointed at Bessonov and said:

«That’s the grandpa I told you about yesterday.»

Anastasia stared again at Lev Alexandrovich’s face.

«Are you saying I’m your daughter?»

«Possibly,» he replied shakily. «Do you remember getting lost?»

«Of course,» Anastasia confessed. «We were on a train, my parents fell asleep, and some musicians and a boy with a puppy walked through the car. I stood up and followed them for some reason.»

«My God, to lose one’s own child, to miss an entire life…»

«When we got off the train, they took me to a small room, fed me, and changed my clothes. I saw that my things were gone, and I was afraid they would take the pendant too, so I hid it in my mouth. I’ve kept it all my life.»

«But didn’t you cry, didn’t you miss us?» asked Bessonov.

«Of course, I missed you. But they told me my parents had died, and I became an orphan.»

«Poor girl…»

«Then I was handed over to sectarians. Those people were insane and made us starve and pray. The only useful thing they did was teach me to read. At fifteen, I was brought to their leader, and I cleaned his library and read books. He said the world was ruled by immoral people. He scared me with such talk. Sometimes he said that such a world needed to be destroyed. He said it was easier to create a new one than to save and correct the old one. And then… he talked my head off and convinced me that I had to give myself to him…»

«Lord, what a horror!» he exclaimed indignantly.

«I gave birth to a daughter. Sons were taken from their mothers as soon as they stopped breastfeeding, claiming they needed male upbringing. Daughters were left with their mothers until they were fifteen. Children often fell ill and died because they weren’t treated and weren’t vaccinated, as they believed it deprived the child of divine purity. So, my Lena wasn’t allowed to be vaccinated, and she ended up catching an infection. When we were brought here, she was curled up as if from a convulsion. We escaped from those who tormented us, ran out of the woods right onto the road. Fortunately, we were picked up and brought here.

 

«Could it really be that we’ve met?» Lev Alexandrovich said with increasing hope. «Do you remember anything?»

«Very vaguely. But I remember mom Lena well. She was beautiful and very kind. Doesn’t she come here?»

«She only visits in my dreams now. She died of grief,» Lev sighed heavily. «That feeling broke her, and now I thought I was so weak I thought I would die. But now I have no desire to go. He suddenly laughed.

«Lena is your granddaughter; I named her after her grandmother.»

Lev extended his hands to the girl. The little girl glanced at her mom but approached him.

«Well then,» Bessonov cheerfully announced. «I need to get well soon. In a little while, we’ll all go home. You’ll have spacious rooms, a garden, and even a little pond.»

Lena, with wide eyes, listened to her grandfather.

«Is there something special about this pendant?» Julia asked shyly, touching the jewelry.

«It’s an old decoration,» Lev Alexandrovich explained. «It’s been with us since pre-revolutionary times, although it looks simple. Your great-grandmother gave it to us. She said it was a talisman because it was onyx. It’s believed that the stone gives strength. Mom passed it to you when you were sick.»

Gradually, Julia began to realize what was happening.

«It’s strange that Lena wanted to draw me with the pendant. I only wore it here, in the hospital…»

«Without it, we wouldn’t have met,» Lev smiled. «Let’s agree: from this moment, you call me dad, and Lena calls me grandpa. Do you agree, my dears?»

Julia and Lena looked at each other and, as if on cue, hugged him, there was no one closer in their lives.

Lev Alexandrovich took everything into his own hands and paid for Lena’s examination. It turned out that her lameness wasn’t treated because it was quota-based, but it was possible on a paid basis. So it happened. And just six months later, on Lena’s birthday, no one even remembered how awkwardly she used to walk.

Meanwhile, investigators and the guardianship service were dealing with the settlement of sectarians in the forest wilderness.

«Are you sure you don’t need anything?» Lena repeated her question, trying to be as attentive as possible. «Just go, I have everything!» Dmitry replied with a slight annoyance in his voice.

Lena felt his tone slightly offend her, but she decided not to pay attention to it. Lately, her husband had indeed become more irritable, but she didn’t want to create unnecessary conflicts over it. She had always been a compromising person and preferred to avoid scandals. Her mother often told her, «You’ll make an excellent wife—patient and accommodating.» And Lena truly tried to live by these words, swallowing grievances and accommodating Dmitry.

Today she decided to delight her beloved with something special. She planned to bake fish with lemon and rosemary, and for dessert, prepare a dish from her mother-in-law’s recipe that he loved so much. All the ingredients were already bought, and she was standing at the checkout when she suddenly realized: she had left her wallet at home.

Lena sighed heavily, running her hand through her hair out of irritation. She quickly pulled out her phone to call her husband. Maybe he would agree to meet her halfway. But the call remained unanswered. She had to ask the cashier to keep an eye on her groceries while she ran back home.

When she opened the door, intending to grab her wallet, a strange noise made her freeze on the threshold. Dmitry was on a call, and what she heard literally knocked the ground from under her feet.

«Yes, I’ve planned everything down to the last detail,» he was saying confidently. «The apartment has already been transferred. Now all that’s left is to transfer the money.»

Lena turned to stone, standing at the threshold. Her heart began to pound so hard it felt like it was about to leap out of her chest. She leaned mechanically against the doorframe, trying to maintain her balance. Transferred the apartment? Transfer the money? What does that mean?

«Of course, there’s a risk,» Dmitry continued, «but what else is there to do? Lenka will never suspect anything. She’s so submissive, always swallows everything.»

Each of his words was like a knife wound. Lena felt a lump rise in her throat. How could he talk about her like that? They had always lived in peace and harmony. She had given him her whole heart, her life… And him? Until now, she couldn’t believe that this was something real, not just a figment of her imagination.

«By the way, about your proposal,» Dmitry changed his tone, now his voice sounded softer. «After everything, we can go to Italy, as you’ve always dreamed. Imagine us walking through Rome. Just don’t forget to bring a beautiful dress. You’ll need it there.»

Lena closed her eyes, trying to cope with the emotions surging inside her. His voice, full of joy and plans that clearly did not include her, seemed to come from another world.

Lena remained motionless, continuing to eavesdrop on her husband’s conversation with that woman. She was frozen between the desire to run away and the need to burst inside to express all her indignation. But when Dmitry ended the call, she suddenly snapped out of this strange state.

Carefully stepping back from the door, Lena hid around the corner of the hallway, trying not to make a sound. Her heart was still racing madly. Thoughts swirled in her head: enter and cause a scene? Or keep silent to find out exactly what he had planned? However, how could one remain silent after such betrayal?

 

The door cracked open, and Dmitry appeared in the hallway. From her hiding place, Lena watched as he passed by, not even noticing her presence, and disappeared into the living room. When his steps quieted down, she cautiously emerged from her hiding place. Now she needed time to digest what she had heard.

Slipping out onto the street, Lena began to wander unconsciously. The thought of going for the groceries now seemed absurd. Eventually, she ended up in a small park, where she sat down on a bench and covered her face with her hands. What had Dmitry planned? Why did he do this? And most importantly—how should she react to this?

She pulled out her phone, intending to call someone, but froze. Who to turn to? Friends might sympathize, but how could they really help? Parents? She didn’t want to upset them, and explaining everything would be difficult. After all, they had been together for so many years… And now he just decided to leave her?

Eventually, Lena decided to call her best friend Kate. Kate immediately understood that something serious had happened. «Lena, are you crying?» Kate asked worriedly. «No, not anymore…» Lena replied and told her everything that had happened.

Kate suggested they meet. After talking with her friend, Lena felt a bit better. She headed home, but on the bus, she began to worry again. Opening her banking app, she checked the joint account and noticed that the amount had indeed decreased significantly.

«Well, alright,» she murmured to herself. «You want to play these games? Let’s play.»

When Lena returned home, Dmitry immediately began to inquire: «Where have you been all day? I’ve been sitting here hungry!»

Closing the door, Lena placed her bag on the table and began taking out the groceries. «I decided to stop by Tanya’s,» she calmly replied.

«Great! Husband is starving, and the wife gallivants with friends,» Dmitry grumbled and returned to the TV.

Lena continued cooking, although inside she was boiling with rage. «Can’t leave things as they are,» she thought. The main thing was to keep her cool and learn more about his plans.

The next day, Lena took a day off, citing feeling unwell. In reality, she began a thorough investigation. She went through all her husband’s documents, checked his computer, and found correspondence with a lawyer. It turned out that Dmitry had long been discussing the details of a divorce and planned to divide their property.

«How long he had planned all this!» Lena thought bitterly. She photographed all the found documents and saved the correspondence. Then she contacted another lawyer, using contacts provided by Kate.

While her husband was at work, Lena gathered all the necessary papers and began preparing for the divorce. Now she knew she had to act quickly and decisively to protect her interests.

Lena remained motionless, frozen between the desire to run away and the necessity to burst inside immediately to express all her feelings. However, when Dmitry finished the conversation, she seemed to awaken from the trance.

Carefully stepping back from the door, Lena slipped around the corner of the hallway, trying not to make a sound. Her heart continued to pound furiously. Thoughts raced: enter and cause a scandal? Or keep calm and find out exactly what he had planned? But how could one remain silent after such betrayal?

 

The door cracked open, and Dmitry appeared in the hallway. From her hiding place, Lena watched as he walked by, not even noticing her. As soon as his steps quieted down in the living room, she cautiously emerged from her hiding place. Now she needed time to digest what she had heard.

Slipping out onto the street, Lena began to wander aimlessly. Even the thought of going for the groceries now seemed utterly senseless. Eventually, she found herself in a small park, where she sat down on a bench and covered her face with her hands. What had Dmitry planned? Why had he acted this way? And most importantly—how should she now react?

She pulled out her phone, intending to call someone, but froze. Who to turn to? Friends might sympathize, but how could they really help? Parents? She didn’t want to upset them, and explaining everything would be extremely difficult. After all, they had been together for so many years… And now he had just decided to leave her?

In the end, Lena decided to call her best friend Kate. Kate immediately realized that something serious had happened. «Lena, are you crying?» Kate asked anxiously. «No, not anymore…» Lena replied and told her everything that had happened.

Kate suggested they meet. After talking with her friend, Lena felt a bit better. She headed home, but on the bus, she began to worry again. Opening her banking app, she checked the joint account and noticed that the amount had indeed significantly decreased.

«Well, okay,» she muttered to herself. «You want to play these games? Let’s play.»

When Lena returned home, Dmitry immediately began to inquire: «Where have you been all day? I’ve been sitting here hungry!»

Closing the door, Lena placed her bag on the table and began taking out the groceries. «I decided to stop by Tanya’s,» she calmly replied.

«Great! Husband is starving, and wife is gallivanting with friends,» Dmitry grumbled and returned to the TV.

Lena continued cooking, although inside she was boiling with rage. «Can’t leave things as they are,» she thought. The main thing was to keep her cool and learn more about his plans.

The next day, Lena took a day off, citing feeling unwell. In reality, she began a thorough investigation. She went through all her husband’s documents, checked his computer, and found correspondence with a lawyer. It turned out that Dmitry had long been discussing the details of a divorce and planned to divide their property.

«How long he had planned all this!» Lena thought bitterly. She photographed all the found documents and saved the correspondence. Then she contacted another lawyer, using contacts provided by Kate.

While her husband was at work, Lena gathered all the necessary papers and began preparing for the divorce. Now she knew she had to act quickly and decisively to protect her interests and not let him get away with it easily.

Lena opened a separate account at the bank and transferred part of their joint savings there to protect herself. Then she called her parents and asked for their support. In front of her husband, however, she continued to behave as inconspicuously as possible, as if nothing had changed.

However, one day she decided to present Dmitry with an unexpected surprise.

As usual, Lena prepared dinner. When Dima sat down at the table, she placed a folder with documents in front of him.

«What is this?» he frowned.

«This is our new stage, dear,» Lena replied with a bitter smile. «I’m filing for divorce.»

Dmitry immediately turned pale and tried to say something, but Lena cut him off:

«Don’t bother to justify yourself. I am well aware of your plans. I heard your conversation with that woman and saw all your correspondence. Did you think you could deceive me and leave me with nothing? Sorry, but that’s not going to happen.»

Dmitry was deeply shocked. And Lena continued:

«Don’t think you can easily sue me for everything. I’ve already hired an excellent lawyer and am ready to spend any amount to ensure you don’t get what you were counting on. We will divide everything evenly, and none of your dreams about Italy with your mistress will come true. By the way, I have all the necessary copies of the documents.»

 

Lena sadly smiled:

«You know, I had time to rethink everything and accept it. I never would have thought that something was wrong between us. But you decided to give me such a ‘gift.’ But know: everything comes back like a boomerang.»

Dmitry, pale as a sheet, tried to object: «Lena, wait…»

«No need, Dima,» his wife coldly interrupted him. «Did you think I would sit and wait while you threw me out on the street? Sorry, but you miscalculated.»

«It’s all your fault!» he shouted. «You were always too boring! You drove me to this!»

Lena looked at him with contempt: «I didn’t think you were just a coward who can’t even honestly admit that he wants to leave. Now you will get what you deserve. Pack your things and leave.»

Dmitry continued to shout insults for a long time, but Lena no longer wanted to listen to them. Eventually, he gathered his belongings and left the apartment. Later, the court recognized all his manipulations with the property as illegal, and everything was divided evenly. Of course, the process was not easy. Dmitry tried to file new lawsuits several times, but each time he was unsuccessful.

Several months passed before Lena began to recover. One day she decided to go to a friend’s birthday party—the first step back to a normal life. And that step turned out to be the right one.

There she met a charming man. Although she had thought that at her age she would not find new love, she decided to give herself a chance. And she did not regret it at all.

This story begins with an ordinary celebration that turned into a fateful event. Sometimes a single careless remark can completely change people’s lives. What will happen to someone who publicly humiliates another person, only to discover the truth afterward? I invite you to dive into this gripping story with an unexpected ending.

 

It was one of those evenings when time seems to stand still. A long table, draped in a pristine white tablecloth, groaned under the weight of exquisite dishes. The air was filled with the aromas of rare wines and fine cigars. The guests were in high spirits—laughter, the clink of glasses, lively conversations. And I felt like an alien in the midst of this glittering crowd.

This day was supposed to be special—our first wedding anniversary. I had dreamed of a tender celebration for just the two of us, but my husband decided to host a grand party. Colleagues, partners, friends—all these people, strangers to such an intimate occasion, filled our space.

Vladislav, my husband, was in his element. Tall, self-assured, in a flawless suit—he practically radiated success. Beside him, I increasingly felt like a dull accessory to his image.

My black dress embodied classic style. Unlike the other women, adorned in bright outfits with expensive accessories, I had deliberately chosen minimalism. I was content with the simple pleasure of the moment. But Vlad saw things differently.

“Darling, why no jewelry today?” His question sounded like a provocation aimed at everyone present.
“Minimalism suits me,” I replied calmly.
“Oh, right, I forgot…” he said, smirking sarcastically and raising his glass. “My wife can’t afford such baubles. She’s very modest—one might say she’s living on the brink of poverty.”

A tense silence fell over the room. Some guests shifted uncomfortably, others laughed, assuming it was a joke. My face burned, and my heart tightened with humiliation.

But Vlad had no idea that his “poor” wife was actually the owner of the very company where he held a high position. He still saw me as the simple girl he had met a couple of years ago, never suspecting my real status.

“Let it be so,” I said impassively, taking a sip of wine and hiding the storm of emotions inside me. “If that’s your toast…”

His smug grin showed that he continued to underestimate me—the gentle, obedient wife who, in his mind, would never dare to speak up. But this evening would mark the beginning of the end of his illusions about me.

After his cutting remark, the rest of the night became an endless string of forced smiles and awkward pauses for me. The guests went on enjoying themselves, but I felt their curious eyes on me, waiting to see how I would react to the public insult. Naturally, no one rushed to the defense of Vlad’s “poor” wife—they belonged to his world.

I raised my glass, pretending to savor the drink. The wine burned my throat, but I had to stay composed. My revenge needed to be calculated and elegant, without a single misstep of emotion.

Amid the buzz of voices, Marina—the wife of one of my husband’s partners—approached me. Her face, unnaturally tight from cosmetic procedures, looked almost mask-like, and her lips were suspiciously perfect.

“How lucky you are,” she cooed sweetly, “to have such a successful husband. With him, you needn’t worry about anything, especially finances.”
My smile softened, but there was already a hint of the approaching storm in it.
“You’re absolutely right, Marina,” I replied. “Money stopped being an issue for me long ago. It solves all my problems for me.”
Her eyelashes fluttered in surprise. Before she could say anything else, Vlad appeared beside me. His overly demonstrative embrace drew everyone’s attention again.

“Exactly!” he laughed loudly, once again making sure everyone was listening. “My wife is a master of frugality! It’s her special talent!”
His fingers dug slightly into my shoulder. He was obviously enjoying the moment—his power over me. He always liked playing to the gallery, even if it meant belittling me.

I turned to him, meeting his gaze. The moment was perfect.
“Since we’re talking about money, darling,” I said softly yet confidently, “tell me, how are things at work? You recently got a promotion, right?”
He nodded, puzzled by the unexpected question.
“Of course—I’m one of the company’s key employees.”
I noticed several guests tense up, sensing the subtext. Vlad, however, remained unaware.

“How interesting,” I drawled, stepping back slightly. “So you must know exactly who owns the company where you work?”
A frown creased his forehead in confusion. Sensing danger, Marina quickly found an excuse to slip away.

“Of course I know,” he smirked, though a bit of his confidence began to waver. “Some ordinary holding company owned by investors… Why are you asking?”
I looked at him with mild surprise.
“Investors, you say?” I tilted my head slightly. “Oh, Vlad… You really know nothing about your employer, do you?”
A flicker of doubt crossed his eyes.
“What are you trying to say?”

I took a measured sip of wine, relishing the moment.
“I’m saying, darling, that the company where you so successfully work… belongs to me.”

Silence fell over the room like a heavy curtain. Guests stood frozen with their glasses in hand. Vlad stared at me as though he’d seen a ghost.

“You… you’re serious?” His voice trembled, though the tension on his face remained.
I didn’t rush to repeat myself. Let him digest the news. The guests stood rigidly—some squirming, already aware of the truth; others watching the unfolding drama with keen interest.

“Yes, dear, this isn’t a hallucination,” I said, setting my glass on the table. “I really do own the company where you hold that very important position.”
“No… This must be some kind of prank…” he tried to object, but his voice trailed off.
“I wish it were just a joke,” I shook my head. “But unfortunately for you, it’s reality.”

Vlad turned pale, glancing around at the faces in the room, hoping for some kind of support. But everyone remained silent—each person knew that neither connections nor status could help him now.

“This can’t be…” he whispered, taking a step back. “When… How did I not know?”
I inclined my head slightly, hiding a smile.
“Maybe because you never took any real interest in my life.” I paused, letting the words sink in. “All these years, while you played the hero, I was building my business. You never even bothered to ask what I do. In your eyes, I was just a pretty accessory.”

His expression twisted in incomprehension. For the first time in a long while, he was at a loss for words.

“You hid this on purpose?” he asked, narrowing his eyes, his voice tinged with accusation.
“Of course I did,” I replied, letting the silence draw out. “You wouldn’t have believed me anyway—you never thought I could be anything more than ‘the wife of a successful man.’”

He took a step closer, lowering his voice:
“This is your revenge for what happened tonight?”
“No, Vlad,” I said, looking directly at him. “This is simply the truth. A truth you’ve been avoiding for years.”

He tensed, realizing that the situation had spiraled out of his control. His public persona was crumbling before everyone’s eyes. The guests began to whisper among themselves, some hiding smirks behind their glasses.

“I don’t believe it…” he said, shaking his head as though trying to dispel an illusion.
“It’s easy to verify,” I shrugged. “Come by the office tomorrow—the secretary will confirm that I’m the general director.”

He froze, finally accepting reality.
“Now I understand why they always invited you to those closed meetings,” he muttered. “I thought you were just an assistant to some investor.”
“You assumed many things, Vlad,” I said, taking another sip of wine. “And now you’re paying the price for those assumptions.”

His face changed with each passing second—from astonishment to realization, then fear. For the first time in a very long while, he felt vulnerable, without his usual mask of confidence.

Vlad slowly sank onto the nearest chair, his fists unconsciously clenching. The guests stood still, sensing they were witnessing a pivotal moment that would transform not only this night but the rest of the life of my soon-to-be ex-husband. I had already made up my mind.

“All this time you were just playing me?” His voice was hoarse, stripped of its usual assurance.
I smiled—softly, almost gently.
“No, darling. I only allowed you to live in your world of illusions. It’s not that I hid the truth—you simply never wanted to see it. You never asked the right questions.”

His jaw tightened as he reined in his anger. He knew any show of aggression could now backfire on him. The dismissive remarks he used to fling at me so easily could now become a weapon against him.

“So what now?” he whispered, fear evident in his voice. “Are you going to throw me out?”
I turned the wineglass in my hands thoughtfully.
“Just fire you?” I echoed, leaning toward him. “That would be too ordinary—too simple an end for someone who’s worked so hard to climb the ladder. No, I want you to feel what it’s like to lose everything gradually, step by step.”

He gulped hard.
“You can’t…”
“Oh, but I can,” I smirked. “Didn’t you teach me yourself that power and money make anything possible? Now the roles are reversed.”

Someone coughed awkwardly, finally breaking the oppressive silence. The tension in the room was nearly unbearable, even for those on the sidelines.

“I think that’s enough for tonight,” I announced, standing and smoothing the fabric of my dress. “Thank you all for coming.”

The guests quickly began saying their goodbyes, preferring to leave before the final act of this drama unfolded.

When the last of them had slipped out the door, Vlad remained, staring into space. Gone was the self-assured man; in his place was someone who had just lost control over his life.

I paused in the doorway.
“Tomorrow in the office, Vlad. We’ll have plenty of interesting topics to discuss.”

Without waiting for a response, I left him alone with his thoughts.

The next morning, I arrived at the office much earlier than usual. The secretary greeted me with her customary smile—she, like most of the staff, had always known my true position and maintained professional discretion. Entering my office, I felt a surge of energy—today began my new life, free from Vlad.

An hour later, the door opened quietly, and he walked in. The confidence he had the previous day had vanished, replaced by a palpable anxiety. He looked as though he hadn’t slept—his hair was disheveled, and his normally impeccable shirt seemed hastily thrown on.

 

“Have a seat,” I offered, gesturing toward the chair in front of my desk, but he remained standing.
“We need to talk,” he said in a hollow tone. “Lera—”
I raised my hand to stop him.
“Here and now, you’re not my husband, Vlad. You’re my employee.”

He froze, absorbing the blow of those words.

“So,” I continued, folding my hands on the desk, “after last night’s incident, your credibility within the company has taken a serious hit. Just think what your colleagues will say when they find out how you publicly insulted your wife—who turned out to be their boss?”

His fists clenched reflexively.
“So you’re firing me?”
“On the contrary,” I said, shaking my head. “That would be too quick and would let you save face. I’d rather you learn what it feels like to lose everything piece by piece.”

His jaw tightened.
“What’s your plan for revenge?”
“I’m transferring you to a regional branch with a lower position. No perks, no power. An ordinary schedule, an average salary. You’ll be working under the very people you once overlooked.”

His face twisted in anger.
“You have no right—”
“Oh, I do,” I said coolly. “I’ve already filed the paperwork.”

He exhaled shakily.
“We loved each other… How can you just destroy everything like this?”

I leaned forward, meeting his eyes.
“You destroyed it yourself when you turned me into a decorative piece without dignity. Now you’re simply reaping the consequences of your actions.”

He fell silent, lowering his gaze. For the first time, I saw him truly humbled—no arrogance, only the grim understanding of his own mistakes.

“Let’s end this conversation, Vlad,” I said, standing up. “I’m no longer your wife. And you’re no longer the man I once made plans with. And thank you for the prenuptial agreement—it will make our separation swift and simple.”

Without looking back, I left the office. This was the day not only of my triumph but of long-awaited freedom.

Margo was staring intently at the door. The day had come when she could settle scores with her husband.

Her eyes gleamed with a malevolent fire. How long she had waited for this day… A whole 2 years.

Finally, she heard the sound of the door opening, and her heart nearly leaped out of her chest.

On the bed lay her belongings, piled up, next to which was a bag where she was supposed to pack everything.

A woman in uniform entered the room.

«Time to leave, Margosha!» Margo got up, quickly packed her things, and then hurriedly left her cell.

«What, can’t wait to meet with your lover?» sneered the guard, who followed her.

Margo said nothing. She walked with her head held high. She no longer cared what was said behind her back. She had endured enough trials, but now she was ready to settle scores with her abusers.

She looked forward, but events from three years ago flashed before her eyes.

Margo and Grisha were successful businessmen. When they got married, things immediately started looking up.

Success not only turned their heads but also brought discord into their family life. Margo knew all about her husband’s affairs, but for the sake of a successful business, she endured everything.

It hurt, but she still remembered her husband as he was when they first met. Back then, they were simple people, in love with each other. But over the years, that love had faded, giving way to habit.

Margo trusted her husband. She signed all the documents he presented her without looking. It turned out that this played against her. Her successful and happy life disappeared in one day.

That day, she was accused of major fraud and hiding money. And she ended up in jail. Her own husband framed her, presenting forged documents.

The trial was brief. Her husband testified against her. She was not provided with a good lawyer. She couldn’t find one herself. Most likely, her husband had bribed someone because the court quickly dismissed the case, pinning all the blame on her.

She was sentenced to 5 years. In prison, over two years, she remade herself. Now she was no longer the frightened girl who couldn’t stand up for herself. She had now cultivated a strength within herself.

For her good behavior, she was released early, and now she craved revenge.

And Grisha was the main character she had to show her new «self» to. Margo thought about all this while her belongings were handed to her.

«Good luck, beauty!» the guard slapped her on the shoulder. When Margo was outside the prison gates, she couldn’t take a single step. Fear seized her again. For two whole years, she had nurtured a plan for revenge, and now she was afraid she might not be able to carry out what she so desired. She stood there for about five minutes, then saw a familiar figure approaching her.

Her body immediately relaxed. Thank God, he was here. She ran to meet him. He quickened his pace too. A few moments later, they met, and the man embraced her.

«Margo, I can’t believe this moment has come.»

Margo buried her face in his neck, nervously laughing. But he had been waiting for this moment no less than she had. It was Artem, her husband’s friend.

Right after she was put in jail, he began visiting her. He believed in her innocence and knew that Grisha was not as innocent as he seemed. Here, Artem’s long-standing affection for Margo played a significant role. However, he never spoke of his feelings, only confessing to Margo a year after his visits.

By then, Margo felt more than just gratitude towards Artem. They fell in love, her in jail, him in freedom. Now nothing could stop these lovers.

«I was afraid you wouldn’t come for me,» the woman whispered.

The man squeezed her tighter in his arms. «How could I leave you? I will never let you go again.»

Margo inhaled his scent and sighed contentedly. When she was in jail, she started to find out interesting things with Artem’s help.

 

Artem was a close friend of Grisha’s, and he knew some details of his schemes. Artem told her that all this was orchestrated by Grisha because of his mistress, who wanted to take part of the business that belonged to Margo.

With her help, her husband thought through and executed his dirty deeds. When Margo learned about this, she promised him revenge. And Artem helped her in this.

He often visited Margo and Grisha’s house. Her husband suspected nothing of any relationship between the two. He did not keep track of Margo’s condition in jail, so he didn’t know about Artem’s visits.

After the trial, he divorced Margo, and now he didn’t care about her fate.

«Let’s get out of here. I want to take a shower after these walls. I feel like I reek of this rotten prison smell.»

Margo wrinkled her nose. Artem laughed:

«What are you talking about? You smell better than any woman in the world.»

He kissed her on the forehead and loosened his arms, releasing her from his embrace.

Margo laughed, relishing the sound of her own laughter in the open air. Now fate was in her hands. She could laugh whenever she wanted. Not fearing the angry yells of the mean guard.

They took each other’s hands and walked to the car parked nearby. Margo dreamed of a hot shower and a cup of coffee. After a while, she already sat in a chair at Artem’s house.

Her hair was damp. She wrapped herself in a terry robe, holding a mug of coffee in her hands. She savored the first sip, then blissfully closed her eyes. When the coffee was drunk, she resolutely placed the cup on the coffee table and said:

«Now I want you to show me those documents. I need to make sure everything went as we dreamed.» Margo impatiently clenched her fists.

Artem looked at her intently. This woman had driven him crazy for a long time. He had kept his feelings inside for years. His sister worked at Margo and Grisha’s company, so he not only often visited their home but also stopped by at work.

He told everyone he wanted to see his sister. In reality, he needed Margo. He adored watching her in a business suit with documents in her hands.

She caused a tremor in him that no other woman could cause in his entire life. And now Margo was sitting in his chair, wearing his robe. Wasn’t this true happiness?

He took out several documents from a small safe in the closet, carefully brought them to Margo, and handed them to her. Margo took them with a smile. She knew this was the end for Grisha.

It felt so good to hold his fate in her hands. She smiled at Artem again:

«Tell me in more detail how it all happened. I couldn’t ask you about the details in prison. Please, tell me.»

She took his hand and pulled him to the floor beside her. Artem smiled and began to tell:

«My little sister couldn’t refuse me. She also believed that you had nothing to do with it.

So I promised her that we would not leave her when everything happened. She is our accomplice, and we will take care of her.

I gave her these documents, which she had to slip in for a signature. At that moment, when I was in Grisha’s office, he was telling me about another mistress.

His mood was splendid. At that moment, the sister walked in. She slipped him a stack of papers, which he was supposed to sign.

He felt relaxed after you went to jail, and he no longer followed the company’s affairs as closely.

That’s when he signed all these documents without even reading them.»

Margo blissfully closed her eyes. Yes, now he would pay for all his schemes. He would fully pay for what he did to her life. She would make sure it hurt him.

She opened her eyes and looked at Artem. Fate had sent her this man. She had known him for years but never suspected his feelings. Love for Grisha had blinded her. Then the pain after his betrayal. Only after she was put in jail could she remove the blindfold from her eyes. And then she saw something in Artem’s eyes that made her feel an incredible tremor.

He had helped her so much. He betrayed a friend for a loved one, who hadn’t even promised him anything. She leaned towards Artem and hugged his neck, then whispered softly:

«I love you and want to be with you. When I finish everything, will you marry an ex-convict? I have no right to ask you this, but I need to know. I want to find out right now.»

Artem cupped her face in his hands.

«I will never leave you. I’ve dreamed of this for years. And you’re asking me? But if you want to hear a proposal from me, here it is. Will you marry me?»

Margo laughed:

«Yes, yes, yes.»

They merged in kisses, and then what they both had been waiting for so long happened.

The next day, Margo approached the tall building where the main office of the company was located.

She was wearing high heels. She felt confident, holding a folder with copies of the documents in her hands. She was ready for the meeting with her ex-husband.

When she entered the office, dead silence reigned. No one stopped her when she opened the door to Grisha’s office. She confidently entered and closed the door behind her.

Grisha was sitting at the desk, talking to someone on the phone:

«Yes, of course, I’ll pick you up in the evening, baby, you can tell me everything, I’ll call you when…»

Grisha fell silent mid-sentence when he saw Margo in the middle of the office. He turned pale, then silently hung up the phone. His face was a mix of fear and wild anger:

 

«What are you doing here and why were you let in here without permission?»

Margo smiled, then approached the desk. She sat down, crossed one leg over the other, and placed the folder with the documents on her lap.

«Probably because I’m also the owner here. Or maybe because everyone knows that you are the main fraudster here, not me.»

Grisha clenched his fists, his anger growing by the second:

«You know what, I don’t care what others think, especially you. You’re no longer my wife, and you’re nobody here.

I don’t want you here. Since you’re out of jail, kindly go your way. And don’t cross my path again, or I’ll lock you up again.»

Margo sweetly smiled, but her eyes were icy.

«You’re foolishly throwing me out. I have a surprise for you that won’t please you at all. Well, that’s fine. I’m ready to endure your rage because it will be justified.

You locked me away while enjoying all your women. And now it’s my turn. Now you’ll taste what you made me endure.»

Margo slowly opened the folder with the documents, pulled out a few papers, and placed them on the table in front of Grisha:

«Please review these documents. I warn you, you can destroy them, these are copies.

The originals are with my lawyer, who will represent my interests in court. Whatever you do now, it will all turn against you in the future. So I’m telling you right away, touch me with a finger, and you’ll spend the rest of your life behind bars.»

Grisha frowned and took the documents in his hands. After examining them, he raised his eyebrows in astonishment.

«Is this some kind of joke?» Grisha stared at his ex-wife.

Margo leaned closer to the table and whispered:

«You taught me two years ago that there’s no room for jokes in this life. I’m a good student, right?» Several months later, Margo married Artem. Now she was the rightful owner of her company. She also took back her mansion from her ex-husband. And his expensive car passed to her.

Grisha was left with nothing. He disappeared from her life as if he had never existed. The court proved by all documents that he voluntarily wrote off all property and the company in favor of Margo.

This time, Margo won the victory and celebrated it already with her new husband, who helped her find herself again.

My aunt repeatedly warned: «Be careful with her.» I shrugged it off at the time, but now, when it comes to property issues, I realized that family ties are severed without the slightest regret.

Igor only managed to call late in the evening: «What were these talks between you and mom?» — «What did she manage to tell you?» I asked, preempting the version of events.

«She’s in tears!» His voice was steeped in anger. «Claims that you insulted her! Publicly humiliated her! After everything she’s done for us…»

«For us?» My voice broke, a lump rising in my throat. «Have you ever thought about what she has actually done for us? Besides trying to take the apartment away?»

«I forbid you to talk about mother like that!» Igor’s voice had a steel edge.

«And how should I then talk? When she looks for housing options behind my back? When she decides for us where to move?»

«She cares about the family! About us! And you…»

«What about me?»

«You only think about yourself!» he blurted out angrily. «Mom’s right — you’re selfish!»

I hung up the call. Just pressed the button, and silence fell over me like a blanket. I sat in a nearly empty cafe, staring out the window. The drizzling rain washed away the last colors of the day, people hurried about their business. And I had nowhere to go. Return to the rented room, where an angry Igor awaited? Or to my aunt’s apartment, where every corner reminded me of betrayal?

My legs carried me along a familiar path. Past the bakery, where it always smelled of fresh bread, through the square, where I spent weekends with my aunt. There it was, the house. Warm lights glowed in the windows — strange, since I had turned off all the lamps before leaving…

Deciding to check what was happening, I took out my keys. But they didn’t fit in the lock. The lock was different. Completely foreign.

From behind the door, I could hear children’s voices and the noise of moving furniture. I froze, feeling a chill spread through my body. Dishes clattered, and someone whined, «Mom, when are we going to the circus?»

Tolik. His three children. They were already here. In my aunt’s apartment.

Everything inside felt torn apart. The room where I spent hours doing homework. The kitchen where my aunt learned to bake pies. The old chair where she liked to rest after work… Now all this was foreign.

 

My phone vibrated in my pocket. My mother-in-law was calling.

«Lenochka,» her voice sounded almost affectionate, «see? I warned you — you’d regret it. You chose your path, now we’ll do it my way.»

«How…» My tongue wouldn’t obey. «How did you…»

«Very simple!» she suddenly yelled. «Thought you were the smartest? Gathering documents? We’ve already sorted everything out! Tolik sold his house in the village, he has nowhere to go. You wouldn’t throw out his wife and three children, would you?»

The sound of a door slamming echoed in the stairwell. Heavy footsteps ascended the stairs.

«Are you there?» Hysteria crept into my mother-in-law’s voice. «Sitting outside the door? I advise against making a scene — Tolik is a harsh man. Go home to your husband. One room is enough for you young ones now…»

I took out an old photo of my aunt — the one from the passageway. She was smiling, young, beautiful. Her lips seemed to move: «Be careful with her…»

Footsteps approached. Second floor. Third.

I jumped up and dashed down the stairs, not watching my step. From behind, a voice carried:

«Hey, where are you going?! What are you doing here?!»

But I had already burst into the yard, into the cold rain. I ran until my strength left me, just to get away from this house, from the foreign voices behind the door, from my aunt’s smile in the old photograph. In my mind, fragments spun: «Tolik sold the house… Nowhere to go… Can’t throw the children out onto the street…»

My phone vibrated again. It was Igor.

His photo appeared on the screen — a picture taken last summer at his aunt’s dacha. Back then, everything seemed simple and clear. We were a family. But now? Now I felt treacherously abandoned, as if I had been pushed out of the familiar world.

They had calculated everything. While I believed in justice and gathered documents, they acted. And there was nothing I could say: a sold house, three children, a pregnant wife… How could I deny people who had nowhere to live?

At the bus stop, darkness and emptiness reigned. I sat down on the cold bench, took out my phone. Notifications flashed: ten missed calls from Igor, three from my mother-in-law. And one message: «Lena, pick up the phone. We need to talk.»

Talk? About what? About how his mother cleverly pulled off a scam with the apartment? Or about how I am selfish, unwilling to share?

I took out a folder from my bag. Copies were collected, all that remained was to file a statement.

Tomorrow. Decisions can be taken tomorrow. But for now…

The phone rang again. This time I answered:

«Yes?»

«God, Lena!» Igor’s voice trembled. «Where are you? I’ve called the whole city, all the friends I could think of!»

«Ask your mother,» my voice echoed as if it were someone else’s. «Maybe she’ll explain what she’s done.»

«What she’s done? Lena, I’m completely confused! Mom’s crying, and you’ve disappeared…»

«Go to Gvardiyskaya,» I said, struggling to hold back tears. «To your aunt’s apartment. Just be aware — your uncle Tolik with the kids are living there now.»

Silence filled the line, accompanied by rustling and sighs.

«What… what do you mean they’re living there?» he finally managed to say.

«That’s what it means. New locks, their things. The kids are already asking when they’ll go to the circus. And this is apparently just the beginning of the show…»

«It can’t be…»

«It can,» my voice shook, and I felt hot tears rolling down my cheeks. «She can do anything. Sold the house specifically to create a facade of desperation. Made up a pregnant wife so I couldn’t throw the children out on the street.»

The rain intensified, drumming on the bus stop roof. The lamplight spread across the glass in gray streams.

«Lena,» Igor’s voice became softer, almost a whisper. «Where are you now?»

«What difference does it make?» Bitterness constricted my throat. «I no longer have a home. Not my aunt’s, not ours.»

«What do you mean ‘ours’?»

«That’s what I mean,» the words burst out involuntarily. «Or do you think I can stay with a man whose mother took the last link to my aunt?»

Thunder rumbled nearby, causing me to flinch.

 

«Wait,» Igor spoke slowly, as if through great effort. «Where are you? I’ll come.»

«Why? To repeat how selfish I am? Or explain that mom did everything for the good of the family?»

«I knew nothing,» his voice broke. «I swear, I was completely unaware.»

«And what do you really know about your mother?» the question burst out on its own. «About how she ingratiated herself with my aunt for weeks? How she planned every step while I was busy with my own matters?»

A loud thump sounded through the line — it seemed Igor had hit the table with his fist.

«I’m going there. To Gvardiyskaya.»

«Don’t bother,» I exhaled. «You can’t fix anything now. Just… just leave me alone at least for today.»

«How can you say that?» his voice trembled. «Now? Alone?»

«Afraid I’ll take your rented room too?» A bitter smile twisted my face. «Don’t worry, I won’t show up there.»

«Stop…» his voice sounded bewildered. «Just tell me where you are. I’ll sort everything out.»

«Sort it out?» I snorted. «How exactly? Will you ask mom nicely to return the keys? Or try to persuade uncle Tolik to move out?»

«I know!» his voice was tense, almost a shout. «I know about the children, about the house… About everything!»

«You know?» I asked, and suddenly it struck me like a revelation. «So you knew? All this time you knew what they were planning?»

Silence on the other end spoke more eloquently than any words.

«So that’s it,» I said, feeling my lips go numb from betrayal. «Is that why you kept silent? Just waiting for them to sell the house?»

«Lena, it’s not like that…» he tried to justify.

«How then, Igor? How exactly?» my voice trembled. «Why did a husband, who swore to love and protect, allow his mother to just take and…»

My voice stuck in my throat, tears welling up.

«I didn’t know they’d change the locks!» he exclaimed, now pleading. «Thought they’d just apply a little pressure… You’d agree to a swap…»

«Pressure?» I didn’t recognize my own tone. «Is that what you call ‘a little pressure’?»

«Listen,» I said, wiping away tears, «tell your mother to prepare for court. And you’ll get served too — as a witness.»

«Lena…» he tried to object.

«And yes, you can stop looking for me,» I continued coldly. «I’m filing for divorce.»

I hung up and turned off the phone. In my bag lay a folder with apartment documents. Now it was clear: tomorrow the first thing to do was go to the lawyer. And then…

For the first time this crazy evening, I felt certain about how to move forward. Aunt would have approved of me. She always repeated: «Justice doesn’t come by itself — you have to fight for it.»

Closer to midnight, I called a friend:

«Marin, can I stay over at your place?»

She didn’t even ask any questions:

«Come over.»

In her kitchen, the calming aroma of chamomile tea filled the air. Marina silently placed a cup in front of me, pulled out a blanket:

«Want to talk?»

And I told her everything — from the first hint from my mother-in-law to today’s shock. About the locks, the children’s voices behind the door, my husband’s betrayal.

«Igor knew,» my voice still trembled. «He knew absolutely everything and kept silent. Waited while they sold the house so I’d have no choice.»

Marina thoughtfully stirred her tea:

«And the documents? You were almost done with the paperwork?»

«Almost,» I replied, pulling the folder from my bag. «Just needed to file the statement. But they knew the process would take time. If there were already children and a pregnant wife living there…»

«And now what?»

«To the lawyer,» I decided, taking a sip of cooled tea. «I’ll sue.»

«Your husband too?»

I nodded, unable to find the strength to speak. A lump formed in my throat.

«You know,» Marina began, moving closer, «maybe it’s for the best that everything came out this way?»

«What do you mean?»

«Imagine if you lived in that apartment. Daily visits from your mother-in-law, endless talks about her son… How long could you have endured that?»

I recalled the last two weeks of silence, during which my mother-in-law apparently waited, planning her move. My husband, pretending nothing was happening, though he knew everything in advance…

«My God,» I groaned, covering my face with my hands, «how could I have been so naive! Aunt warned me. And I always justified her: ‘She’s a good person, just had a tough life…’»

«Everyone has a tough life,» Marina noted, refilling my cup with fresh tea. «But not everyone solves their problems at the expense of others.»

«The worst part,» I admitted, looking at my friend, «is that I truly believed. Believed we were a family. That all those ‘mom’, ‘sweetheart’ were sincere.»

The phone vibrated again on the table. It was Igor.

«I won’t answer,» I turned to the window. «There’s nothing more to discuss.»

«And you’re right to do so,» Marina approved, handing me a small plate of cookies. «Tomorrow you’ll deal with all issues through the lawyer. And now — sleep. Tomorrow will be a tough day.»

The morning started with an unexpected call. The caller ID showed the name of Aunt Vera’s neighbor — Grandma Nyura:

«Lenochka, sweetheart, could you come over? Something’s happening here…»

I clenched the phone:

«What’s going on?»

«A truck has pulled up. They’re moving out all your furniture. I can see from the window — already half the apartment is gone. And she…» Grandma Nyura lowered her voice, «your mother-in-law is standing there, giving orders. Acting like the owner.»

My hands trembled treacherously:

«Have they completely lost their minds?»

«Don’t even say,» the neighbor sighed. «I wonder how Vera would have reacted… She lived here her whole life, loved every item…»

«I’m on my way.»

Marina, who was already getting ready for work, decisively grabbed her coat:

«I’m coming with you.»

«But you have an important meeting,» I reminded her.

«I’ll reschedule,» she replied, already dialing a number. «And I’ll call a lawyer I know. Have him join us.»

We drove in silence. Words were superfluous — they methodically destroyed everything that linked this apartment to its previous owners. To my aunt. To me.

At the entrance, a truck indeed stood. Two men carefully carried out my aunt’s old cabinet — the one where family photos were stored behind glass.

«Careful!» Nina Petrovna commanded. «All this goes to the country house. Tolik, are you keeping track of the list?»

I stepped forward:

«May I know what’s happening here?»

My mother-in-law turned around. Fear flickered on her face, but she quickly composed herself:

«Ah, you came! Wanted to take your trophies? Don’t worry, we’ll move everything out ourselves.»

«These aren’t my belongings,» my voice trembled. «These are my aunt’s things. In her apartment.»

«They were your aunt’s,» she sneered. «Now Tolik and his family live here. Old stuff just takes up space.»

«What right…» I began, but was interrupted.

«The right we have!» she suddenly raised her voice. «Thought you were smarter than everyone? We’ve already settled in here! And we’re staying!»

«But you didn’t account for one thing,» a calm male voice interrupted. It was Marina’s lawyer friend, appearing with a folder of documents. «You’re facing a lawsuit under Article 330 of the Criminal Code — willful misconduct.»

Nina Petrovna paled so much that the blue veins on her cheeks became visible:

«Who is this?»

«The representative of the lawful owner of the apartment,» he took out his phone. «I’m calling the police now. We’ll record the illegal entry into the dwelling and damage to property.»

Her confidence instantly evaporated. Hands that had confidently directed the movers now visibly shook.

«Police? On me?» her voice trembled.

It seemed the masks were dropped. My mother-in-law was ready to do anything to get the apartment. But now she faced a choice: continue illegal actions or try to find another way out of the situation. It remained to be hoped that the laws would prove stronger than her ambitions.

At my grandmother’s funeral, an unsettling moment caught my attention amid the grief. My mother, always poised and distant, subtly dropped a small, wrapped object into the casket. Driven by a mix of curiosity and suspicion, I later retrieved it, unaware that its contents would reveal profound family secrets that would echo through my life.

Grief, they say, can be unpredictable, but mine felt like navigating a hallway shrouded in shadow, unsure of each step. My grandmother, Eliza, was more than family; she was my anchor, my confidante. Her embraces were my sanctuary, her presence a steady comfort in my world. As I stood by her casket that day, a void opened inside me, profound and unsettling.

 

The funeral home was bathed in a subdued glow, casting soft shadows over Eliza’s serene expression. Her hair, silver and perfectly styled, framed her face, and her cherished pearl necklace lay around her neck, just as she liked it.

Memories cascaded through my mind as I touched the casket’s smooth surface. Only weeks ago, we had been in her kitchen, her laughter filling the room as she shared her secret recipe for sugar cookies.

«Emerald, darling, she’s still with you,» Mrs. Anderson, our neighbor, reassured me, her voice thick with emotion. «Eliza was so proud of her grandchild.»

A tear escaped as I recalled the apple pies we used to bake. «She could fill the whole street with that aroma. ‘Emerald’s got the magic touch with cinnamon,’ she’d boast.»

«I tried to make one last week,» I confessed, my voice faltering. «It just wasn’t the same without her. I even reached for the phone to call her for advice, and then… then the heart attack happened so suddenly…»

Mrs. Anderson enveloped me in an embrace, murmuring comfort. «She knew your love, dear. That’s what counts. And look around—she touched so many hearts.»

Indeed, the room was filled with murmurs of shared memories and quiet laughter, a testament to her impact. Yet there was my mother, Victoria, seemingly detached, checking her phone instead of mingling.

As we spoke, I watched my mother approach the casket discreetly. She quickly glanced around before slipping a package inside, then walked away with an air of finality that seemed out of place.

«Did you see that?» I whispered to Mrs. Anderson, a knot of anxiety tightening in my chest.

«See what, dear?»

«Mom just…» My voice trailed off as I watched her retreat to the restroom. «It’s probably just the grief.»

Yet, a nagging feeling tugged at me. The relationship between Mom and Grandma had been strained, to say the least. It was unlike Grandma to request anything hidden away in her casket, especially without my knowing.

Something was not right, and I was determined to uncover the truth hidden within that mysterious package.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the light inside the funeral home took on a somber tone, stretching the shadows against the windows while the remaining mourners drifted away. The air was thick with the fragrance of lilies and roses, a poignant reminder of the day’s solemnity.

My mother had excused herself an hour earlier, citing a sudden migraine, but the memory of her actions earlier lingered uncomfortably in my mind.

«Ms. Emerald?» The soft voice of Mr. Peters, the funeral director, pulled me from my thoughts. He approached with a gentle demeanor that reminded me of my late grandfather. «Please, take your time here. I’ll be nearby in my office when you’re ready to leave.»

«Thank you, Mr. Peters.» I nodded, waiting for the echo of his footsteps to fade into the distance before I moved closer to the casket once more. The room, now quiet and devoid of guests, felt heavier, as if filled with the weight of untold stories and concealed truths.

Alone with my thoughts, my heartbeat seemed unnervingly loud in the silence. I leaned in to examine Grandma’s serene expression more closely.

Just peeking out from under the fold of her favorite blue dress—the one she had worn proudly at my college graduation—was the corner of an item wrapped in a matching blue cloth.

A battle of conscience waged within me, torn between respecting my mother’s privacy and upholding my grandmother’s dignity. Eventually, my commitment to safeguarding my grandmother’s legacy won over.

With shaky hands, I carefully retrieved the small package from beneath the dress and tucked it into my purse. «I’m sorry, Grandma,» I murmured, brushing a cold hand with my fingers. The light glinted off her wedding ring, reminding me of the warmth she always exuded. «But something feels wrong. You taught me to follow my instincts, didn’t you? You believed the truth was more important than comfort.»

Back at home, I settled into Grandma’s old reading chair—a piece she insisted I have when she downsized to her last apartment. The package rested on my lap, still wrapped in the handkerchief with the delicately embroidered «C» that I remembered watching her sew as a child, her stories from her youth echoing in my mind.

 

«What secrets are you hiding, Mom?» I whispered to myself as I began to untie the twine. A knot formed in my stomach as I unfolded the handkerchief to reveal a stack of letters, each addressed in Grandma’s unmistakable script with my mother’s name.

The first letter was dated three years back, its edges crisp despite evident signs of frequent handling:

«Victoria,

I’ve seen what you’ve been doing.

Did you think I wouldn’t notice the discrepancies in my accounts? Each month, small sums vanished, and while I wanted to believe there was a mistake, the truth was undeniable. You, my own child, have been siphoning from me to feed your gambling addiction.

Your addiction is tearing you—and our family—apart. I’ve attempted understanding and support, but you’ve met my concern with deceit, repeatedly so. Recall last Christmas? You promised reform; tears were shed, and promises made. Yet, within a week, $5,000 vanished. This isn’t to shame you but to express the pain of watching you self-destruct.

Please, let me help you—for real, this time.

Mom»

Trembling, I continued through the letters, each one unfolding more of the narrative I had never known, outlining a distressing portrait of deceit. The correspondence spanned years, morphing from worried admonitions to exasperated anger and finally to resigned sorrow.

One particular letter recalled a family dinner where Mom had convincingly claimed she’d quit gambling. I remembered her tearful assurance that night, the way she clung to Grandma in a seemingly heartfelt embrace. Now, the authenticity of that moment was in question—was it genuine, or merely another act in her ongoing deception?
Grandma’s Final Wish Revealed a Painful Truth:

«Victoria,

You’ve made your decisions, and I’ve made mine. Everything I have will be left to Emerald—the one person who truly loved me, not someone who saw me as a financial resource. You might think you’ve escaped the consequences, but the truth will surface eventually.

Remember when Emerald was young, and you accused me of favoritism? You claimed I loved her more than you. The truth is, I loved you both differently but equally. The difference? She loved me unconditionally, expecting nothing in return. I will always love you, but I can’t trust you.

Mom»

My hands trembled as I opened the final piece of correspondence. It was a letter from my mother to Grandma, penned just two days after Grandma had passed. The words were etched with forceful, angry lines:

«Mom,

Alright, you win. I confess—I took the money. You never understood the allure, the desperate need. But your clever little scheme won’t succeed. Emerald loves me. She’ll give me anything I ask for, even her inheritance. So I still come out on top. Maybe now you’ll finally stop trying to control everyone, even from beyond the grave. Goodbye.

Victoria»

That night, sleep was a stranger. I paced back and forth in my apartment, haunted by a freshly painted portrait of reality.

The overly lavish Christmas gifts. The numerous times Mom had asked to «borrow» my credit card for «emergencies.» All those seemingly casual talks about Grandma’s finances, veiled as filial concern.

“Have you spoken to Mom about getting power of attorney?” she had once inquired. “You know how forgetful she’s getting.”

“She seems alright to me,” was my naive reply. “Just thinking ahead, sweetheart. We need to protect her assets,” she’d countered.

 

My mother, driven by sheer greed, had betrayed not only my grandmother but now, potentially, me. By daybreak, my decision was clear. I dialed her number, maintaining composure:

«Mom, can we meet for coffee? There’s something important I need to give you.»

«What’s wrong, dear? You sound tired,» she responded with saccharine concern.

«It’s about Grandma. She left something for you. Said to give it to you ‘when the time was right.’» «Ah, really?» Her tone perked up. «Where should we meet?»

«How about that quiet coffee shop on Mill Street?»

«Perfect. You’re always so thoughtful, Emerald. I was never like that with my mom.»

Her words stung with irony. «See you at two, Mom.» I ended the call. The cafe’s bell chimed as my mother entered later that day, immediately spotting my purse.

Dressed in her sharp red blazer for significant occasions, she sat and reached for my hand. «You look worn out, sweetheart. This has been tough on you, hasn’t it? You and your grandmother were so close.»

I nodded, placing a wrapped bundle on the table. Inside were two letters—one from Grandma and another penned by myself. «What’s this?» she inquired, her nails slicing through the seal. Her face paled as she unfolded my message, her hands trembling.

The letter was blunt:

«Mom,

I have all the letters. If you ever try to manipulate me or lay claim to what Grandma left, the whole truth comes out. Everything.

Emerald»

«Emerald, I—»

I stood up before she could finish, seeing years of deception melting in her tears. «I love you, Mom. But that doesn’t mean you can manipulate me. You’ve lost my trust. Forever.»

With those final words, I left her alone with the crushing weight of her actions and the echo of Grandma’s enduring honesty. Some secrets, I realized, refuse to stay buried.