З життя
“- Як ви смієте виганяти мою доньку? Їй більше нікуди йти”, – кричить свекруха
Літнє сонце пекло нещадно, коли Олена поверталася з роботи додому. Втомлена, вона зітхнула, відкриваючи двері свого просторого будинку на березі моря — того самого, про який вона мріяла роками. Дім став уособленням її наполегливої праці та амбіцій, символом успіху, якого вона досягла разом зі своєю найкращою подругою та бізнес-партнеркою, Наталею.
Вони пройшли довгий шлях від продажу одягу на місцевому ринку до власної мережі успішних магазинів у всьому місті. Олена добре пам’ятала ті складні початки: морозні зимові ранки на ринку, коли тремтячими руками вони встановлювали свої ятки, нескінченні переговори з постачальниками та безсонні ночі, проведені за розрахунками бюджету та створенням планів. Їхні зусилля зрештою дали плоди: спочатку один магазин, потім другий, а згодом ціла мережа, відома в усьому місті.
Ледь переступивши поріг, Олена почула знайомий голос:
— Олено, що у нас на вечерю?
Придушуючи роздратування, Олена обернулася до своєї зовиці, Катерини. Катерина, її чоловік Андрій та їхній син Максим приїхали місяць тому на короткий візит. Але вони швидко облаштувалися в домі, не доклавши жодних зусиль, щоб допомогти. Олена оглянула кухню: гора брудного посуду, недоїдені сніданки на столі, іграшки Максима, розкидані по підлозі. Вона згадала, як разом із чоловіком, Іваном, купували цей будинок. Вони тижнями обирали меблі, обговорювали кольори стін і ретельно планували кожну деталь. Тепер їхній дім мрії перетворився на хаотичний гуртожиток.
Намагаючись стримати роздратування, Олена різко відповіла:
— Що приготуєш, те й з’їсте. Я зайнята. І, будь ласка, не турбуйте мене, якщо це не терміново.
Не чекаючи відповіді, Олена схопила свою сумку та вийшла до таксі, що чекало. Вона назвала водію адресу найближчої кав’ярні, де в неї було призначене важливе зустріч із Наталею. Поки таксі їхало вулицями міста, Олена роздумувала про своє життя. Її бізнес процвітав, вона досягла так багато. Наталя нещодавно купила розкішну квартиру в центрі, а Олена нарешті побудувала цей чудовий будинок біля моря. Але замість того, щоб насолоджуватися своїми досягненнями, її дім став джерелом постійного стресу через непроханих гостей.
Коли таксі під’їхало до кав’ярні, телефон Олени завібрував. На екрані висвітилися ім’я Наталі. Олена відчула легке занепокоєння — вони рідко дзвонили одна одній перед зустрічами, хіба що траплялося щось термінове.
— Я вже майже на місці, — відповіла вона, піднявши слухавку.
— Дуже шкода, але доведеться перенести зустріч, — сказала Наталя із ноткою вибачення в голосі. Він звучав незвично тихо.
Олена одразу відчула, що щось не так. Наталя була найнадійнішою людиною, яку вона знала, і зміни в останню хвилину були для неї нетиповими.
— Що трапилося? У тебе все гаразд?
— Так, так, усе добре, — запевнила Наталя. — Просто… не смійся. Я купила їжу на вулиці, і… скажімо так, мій шлунок цього не витримав.
Олена не змогла втриматися від усмішки. Це був не перший раз, коли Наталя постраждала через сумнівну вуличну їжу. Вона згадала їхню поїздку до Львова минулого року, коли Наталя цілий день пролежала в ліжку після схожого випадку.
— Скільки разів ми це вже проходили? — пожартувала Олена.
— Знаю, знаю. Але так смачно пахло!
— Тобі щось потрібно? Ліки, може?
— Ні, я впораюсь. Просто потрібен відпочинок.
— Добре. Бережи себе і дзвони, якщо щось знадобиться.
— Дякую, ти найкраща, — Наталя сказала із вдячністю, перш ніж завершити розмову.
Олена зітхнула та звернулася до водія:
— Зміна планів. Відвезіть мене назад додому.
Коли таксі прямувало назад, Олена дивилася у вікно, спостерігаючи за міськими краєвидами. Повернувшись додому, вона помітила, що ворота знову залишилися відчиненими. Вона вже не раз просила Катерину та Андрія тримати їх закритими задля безпеки, але її прохання постійно ігнорували.
Тихо підійшовши до будинку, Олена почула голоси з тераси. Катерина та Андрій жваво обговорювали щось.
— Тут можна було б поставити альтанку, — мрійливо сказала Катерина. — І ще гойдалку для Максима. Він був би у захваті.
— Гарна ідея, — погодився Андрій. — Треба ще кухню окрему зробити для нас. Тоді не доведеться постійно бачити Олену. І тоді це буде вже точно наш дім.
Олена застигла на місці, а її гнів стрімко набирав обертів. Коли це її гості вирішили, що мають право облаштовувати її дім?
Далі, вже в вітальні, вона рішуче звернулася до Івана:
— Іване, поясни, що тут відбувається.
— Іване, поясни, що тут відбувається, — твердо сказала Олена.
— Що ти маєш на увазі, кохана? — запитав Іван, розгублено дивлячись на неї.
— Твоя сестра і її сім’я. Коли вони збираються поїхати? Мені це набридло. Я хочу, щоб вони залишили наш дім. Це літо я хочу провести зі своєю сім’єю, а не бути господинею для твоєї, — наполягла Олена.
Гомін із тераси раптово припинився. Іван зам’явся, явно не знаючи, як відповісти.
— Олено, давай не будемо сваритися…
— Ні, — перебила вона. — Вони залишають цей будинок до кінця тижня. Якщо ні, я особисто попрошу їх піти.
Перш ніж Іван встиг щось сказати, до кімнати влетіла Катерина з телефоном у руках.
— Мамо! Вона нас виганяє! Нам нікуди йти! Квартиру ми продали, у нас дитина! Скажи їй щось!
Катерина увімкнула гучний зв’язок, і з іншого боку трубки почувся різкий голос матері Івана:
— Олено, як ти можеш таке казати? Катерині нікуди йти!
Олена глибоко вдихнула, намагаючись заспокоїтися.
— Це не моя проблема. Вони приїхали сюди без запрошення і вже занадто довго тут залишаються.
Розуміючи, що переконати Олену марно, мати Івана перейшла на нову тактику, звернувшись до сина:
— Іване, скажи щось! Не дозволяй їй виганяти твою сестру з дому!
Іван зупинився, вагаючись і не наважуючись протистояти матері.
Терпіння Олени лопнуло.
— Досить, — сказала вона холодно. — У вас є тридцять хвилин, щоб зібрати речі і залишити мій будинок. Якщо після цього часу ви ще будете тут, я викличу поліцію.
Катерина застигла від шоку, Андрій зблід, а з телефону долинали обурені крики. Іван простягнув руку до Олени, намагаючись її заспокоїти.
— Олено, давай поговоримо про це…
— Ні, — твердо відповіла вона, відходячи назад. — Тридцять хвилин. І це стосується й тебе, Іване, якщо ти не здатен підтримати мене.
Рівно через пів години Катерина, Андрій, Максим та сам Іван стояли біля дверей зі своїми валізами. Іван зробив останню спробу помиритися, але Олена мовчки відчинила двері, ясно показуючи, що розмова закінчена.
У наступні місяці Олена оформила розлучення з Іваном. Це був важкий процес, але вона знала, що прийняла правильне рішення. Вона поринула у роботу з Наталею, розширила їхній бізнес і зосередилася на відновленні свого життя. Біль поступово вщухав, поступаючись місцем відчуттю свободи і захопленням новими можливостями.
Three O’Clock in the Morning and a Phone Call: How Saving a Stray German Shepherd with Mum’s Help Changed My Heart Forever
Mary Ellen wakes at three in the morning to the insistent buzzing of her old mobile phone on her bedside...
Raw Nerves: In This Family, Everyone Lived Their Own Separate Lives. Dad, Alexander, Had Not Just a Wife but a String of Lovers. Mum, Jenny, Turned a Blind Eye, but She Had Her Own Secret Romance with a Married Colleague. Their Two Sons Were Left to Fend for Themselves. Nobody Really Raised Them, So They Wasted Days Wandering Aimlessly. Jenny Claimed the School Was Responsible for Their Upbringing. On Sundays, the Family Would Gather in Silence Round the Kitchen Table, Wolf Down Lunch, and Disperse to Their Separate Interests. They Might Have Continued in Their Broken, Flawed but Comfortably Familiar Existence—Until Irreversible Tragedy Struck. When the Younger Son, Daniel, Was Twelve, Alexander First Took Him to the Garage as His Little Helper. While Daniel Curiously Inspected the Tools, Alexander Stepped Next Door to Chat with Fellow Car Enthusiasts. Suddenly, Black Smoke and Flames Billowed from Alexander’s Garage. (Later, It Would Emerge that Daniel Had Accidentally Knocked a Lit Blowtorch onto a Can of Petrol.) Nobody Understood What Had Happened. People Were Frozen, Panicking, as Fire Raged. Water Was Thrown Over Alexander, and He Bolted into the Inferno. In Moments, He Emerged, Carrying His Motionless Son, Daniel’s Body a Mass of Burns—Only His Face, Shielded by His Hands, Remained Unscathed; His Clothes Were Completely Burned Away. Someone Had Already Called the Fire Brigade and Ambulance. Daniel Was Rushed to Hospital—He Was Alive! He Was Taken Straight to Surgery. After Agonising Hours, the Surgeon Came Out to Daniel’s Parents and Said, “We’re Doing All We Can. Your Son Is in a Coma. His Chances Are One in a Million. Science Is Powerless. Only Extraordinary Willpower—and a Miracle—Can Save Him Now.” Desperate, Alexander and Jenny Raced to the Nearest Church—in a Torrential Downpour. Drenched and Sobbing, They Entered the Sanctuary for the First Time in Their Lives, Begging the Priest, Father George, for Help. “…How grave are your sins?” Father George asked. Alexander, sheepish, replied, “Not murderers, if that’s what you mean…” “But where is your love? Dead underfoot,” the priest reproached. “There’s more space between you than a fallen oak log. Pray to Saint Nicholas for your son’s health—pray fiercely! But remember, it’s God’s will…” At the icon, Alexander and Jenny knelt, weeping and praying passionately—swearing to cut all affairs, vowing to change their lives. The next morning, the phone rang. The doctor reported Daniel was out of his coma. Alexander and Jenny never left his bedside. Daniel whispered to his parents, “Mum, Dad, promise me you’ll stay together,” and, “When I have children, they’ll have your names…” His parents thought he was delirious—after all, he couldn’t even move his finger. But Daniel began to recover. The family’s energy and savings—and even their summer cottage—went into his treatment. The garage and car had burned to ashes, but the main thing was: Daniel was alive. The grandparents pitched in to help, and the family came together through the crisis. A year on, Daniel was in a rehabilitation centre, able to walk and look after himself. He befriended Mary, a girl his own age who’d also been burned in a fire—her face badly scarred after multiple operations, too shy to look in a mirror. Daniel was drawn to her kindness, wisdom, and vulnerability. The two became inseparably close, bonding over pain, recovery, and endless conversation. Time passed… Daniel and Mary celebrated a modest wedding. They had two beautiful children: daughter Alexandra, then three years later, son John. At last, the family could breathe easy. But the ordeal had left Alexander and Jenny drained. They decided to part ways, both craving peace and relief from each other. Jenny moved to stay with her sister in the suburbs, visiting Father George before leaving—he, now a confidant, urged her not to go for long; “A husband and wife are one.” Alexander remained alone in the empty flat, sons with families of their own. Visiting grandchildren was done separately, timings carefully coordinated to avoid crossing paths. And so, after all they’d suffered, every member of the family finally found their own, peculiar peace…
CUT TO THE QUICK… In this family, everyone lived their own separate lives. Jack, the father, in addition to his...
I’ll Remind You – Miss Mary, This Swirl Won’t Work! A Second-Grader’s Birthday Gift, A Mother’s Disappointment, and a Teacher’s Lesson in Kindness and Memories That Bloom Like Painted Flowers
ILL REMIND YOU Miss Mary, hereit just keeps curling the wrong way, whispered little Tom, his brush hovering uncertainly above...
Desperate to Tie the Knot: After Ten Lonely Years, Dr. Alice Finds Unexpected Romance with a Former Algerian Student—Only for Fate to Bring Her Back to Her Ex-Husband and Knitting Socks for Their Grandchild Alice
IMPATIENT FOR MARRIAGE Ella is utterly determined to find the right husband. Shes already had one failed marriage. She has...
IS IT REALLY THE ORCHID’S FAULT? “Polly, take this orchid or I’ll bin it,” Kate muttered, scooping the transparent pot off the windowsill and thrusting it into my hands. “Thanks, mate! But what did this orchid ever do to upset you?” I was puzzled. There were still three gorgeous, pampered orchids on her windowsill. “That flower was a wedding gift for my son. And, well, you know how that turned out…” Kate sighed heavily. “I know your Dennis and Tanya divorced before their first anniversary. I won’t ask why—it must have been serious. Dennis absolutely adored Tanya.” I didn’t want to reopen an old wound. “Someday I’ll tell you the whole story, Polly. For now, it’s too much to remember,” Kate mused, dabbing her eyes. I brought the “rejected” and “banished” orchid home. My husband looked at the pitiful specimen and said, “Why bother with that runt? Even I can see there’s no life left in it. Don’t waste your time.” “I’m going to revive her,” I insisted. “A bit of love and care, and you’ll see—she’ll be in bloom again.” He winked: “Who can refuse love?” A week later, Kate rang: “Polly, can I come round? I can’t keep this burden inside. I want to tell you everything about Dennis’ disastrous marriage.” “Come right over, Kate. I’m here.” I couldn’t turn her down. She’d been my rock through my first painful divorce—and when things were rocky with my second husband too. We’d been friends forever. Kate arrived an hour later. She settled in the kitchen, and over a glass of dry wine, a cup of strong coffee, and some dark chocolate, the story spilled out. “I never imagined my ex-daughter-in-law was capable of such a thing. Dennis and Tanya were together for seven years before marrying. Dennis left Annie for Tanya—and I loved Annie, so homely and warm, I called her daughter. Then this dazzling beauty Tanya swept in. Dennis was besotted—hovering around her like a bee around a blossom. Love at first sight, absolutely scorching. He pushed Annie aside in a heartbeat. “Yes, Tanya had model looks. Dennis loved when his mates gawped and passers-by turned heads. Yet, no child in seven years. I thought maybe Dennis wanted everything proper—wedded first, then kids. He’s private, never confided much, and we didn’t meddle. “One day he just told us: “‘Mum, Dad, I’m marrying Tanya. We’ve given notice at the registry office. No expense spared—a wedding to remember.’ “We were thrilled—Dennis was thirty, finally settling down. But the wedding date shifted—he was unwell, then I got held up at work. I got a bad feeling, but I saw his happiness and kept silent. “Dennis even wanted a church blessing, but the priest was away. Nothing was going right. Everything was a sign… “Still, we had a big, noisy wedding. Look—here’s the photo. See that orchid? Blooming, magnificent. Its leaves stood tall. Now, they’re just limp rags. “Dennis and Tanya planned a Paris honeymoon, but there was a hitch—Tanya wasn’t allowed to leave the country. Some massive unpaid fine. They were turned away at the airport. Dennis ignored the strings of bad luck, lost in dreams of family life. “But then he got seriously ill—hospitalised. The doctors had little hope. Tanya stuck around for a week, then said: “‘I’m sorry, but I can’t cope with a disabled husband. I’m filing for divorce.’ “Imagine, Polly, what Dennis felt lying there? Still, he replied: “‘I understand, Tanya. I won’t stand in your way.’ “So, they divorced. “But Dennis recovered. We found him a brilliant doctor, who pulled him through in half a year—said Dennis was young enough to bounce back. Our family grew close to the doctor, Peter, who had a lovely twenty-year-old daughter, Masha. Dennis barely paid attention to her: “‘She’s tiny. Not even pretty.’ “‘Give her a chance, son. Looks aren’t everything. You’ve tried the model wife—now, perhaps, try joy over glamour.’ “He couldn’t forget Tanya’s betrayal, yet Masha adored Dennis from the start—she followed him everywhere, phoned him constantly. “We tried matchmaking with a trip in the countryside. Dennis sulked the whole time, nothing cheered him up—campfire, barbeque, our laughter—nothing. Masha followed him with puppy eyes, but he barely glanced at her. “‘It’s hopeless,’ I sighed to my husband. ‘Dennis still loves Tanya. She’s a splinter in his heart.’ “A few months later, Dennis showed up at the door with the infamous orchid: “‘Here, Mum—the last relic of past happiness. Do what you want with it. I don’t want this exotic reminder.’ “I begrudgingly accepted the orchid and took a dislike to it—almost as if I blamed it for my son’s pain. I shoved it out of sight, neglected it. “Then I ran into a neighbour: “‘Kate, I saw your Dennis with a pixie-like girl. His first wife was far more striking, though…’ “I didn’t believe it—could Dennis really be dating Masha? “‘Meet my wife, Masha,’ Dennis introduced her, cradling her hand. “My husband and I exchanged glances. “‘But what about a wedding? Guests?’ “‘No need for a fuss—we’ve done all that. Registered at the town hall, quiet and simple. Father Peter gave us a church blessing. Masha and I are forever.’ “I pulled Dennis aside: “‘Do you actually love her? Please don’t hurt Masha—or marry just to spite Tanya.’ “‘No, Mum, I’m not taking revenge. I’m over that woman,’ he said—he’d stopped calling Tanya by name. ‘As for love… Masha and I just fit perfectly together.’ “That’s my story, Polly.” Kate finally unburdened her heart. …After this heartfelt chat, two years rushed by, life got busy. But the orchid revived and bloomed—they really do respond to love. When I met Kate again, it was at the maternity ward: “Hey, mate, what are you doing here?” “Masha’s had twins. They’re being discharged today,” Kate grinned. At the entrance stood Dennis and Kate’s husband, Dennis clutching a bouquet of red roses. Out came a tired but glowing Masha, followed by the nurse gently carrying two tiny, sleeping bundles. My own daughter was there, snuggling her newborn. Tanya is now begging Dennis for forgiveness and to try again… But you can glue a broken cup, though you’ll never drink from it the same way again…
IS THE ORCHID TO BLAME? Polly, take this orchid away or Ill chuck it out, Kate announced, carelessly lifting the...
Fate on a Hospital Bed – “Young Lady, You Look After Him! I’m Too Scared to Even Feed Him with a Spoon,” She Snapped, Tossing Grocery Bags onto the Bed Where Her Sick Husband Lay. “Please Don’t Worry! Your Husband Will Recover. He Needs Careful Nursing Now. I’ll Help Dmitry Get Back on His Feet,” I, as the nurse, had to reassure the tuberculosis patient’s wife yet again. Dmitry arrived in critical condition, but his will to live gave him good odds. Sadly, his wife Alla didn’t believe in medicine. It seemed she’d given up on him already… Years later, the same fate befell their son Yura. Alla gave up on him too – but Yura survived. Despite his diagnosis, Dmitry joked and laughed, eager to leave the TB ward. His village lacked any specialist hospital, so Alla rarely visited. I felt sorry for him – so unkempt, so abandoned… “Dima, do you mind if I bring you some things? I see you don’t even have slippers,” I teased. “Violetta, I’d swallow poison from you if you said it was medicine. But no, just let me get well first…” My heart fluttered. Was I falling for a married man? I tried not to. But you can’t command the heart… I visited Dima more often. Our talks grew deep; we switched to first names. He had a five-year-old son. “My Yura takes after his beautiful mum… I loved Alla – but she only loves herself. It eats you up… now it’s you caring for me, a stranger,” he sighed. I tried to make excuses for Alla. He shook his head. “A wife can find time for her lovers a hundred miles away—but not for me.” After a fight, Alla vanished. A month passed. Dima told me quietly, “We’re divorcing.” When he was discharged, he asked shyly to stay with me, and I agreed—if he’d accept my child too. He did—and so began our life together. Years passed. We had two children together. His son Yura visits often. My own daughter lives far away; I never regretted being a single mother. As for Alla: she remarried many times, had another son who suffered from mental illness. She remained cold and distant, and when she died, her son was sent to a care home. Now Dima and I are old, but love each other more than ever, grateful for every day together.
FATE ON A HOSPITAL BED Tuesday Ill never get used to certain moments in the ward. Today, Mrs. Parker burst...
I’ve Never Taken What Belongs to Someone Else Once, while still at school, Martha both despised and envied Nastya. She looked down on Nastya because her parents were hopelessly alcoholic, scraping by on odd jobs and living hand-to-mouth. Nastya always wore shabby clothes, seemed half-starved and downtrodden. Her father often hit her—sometimes for drinking too little, sometimes for drinking too much, sometimes for no clear reason at all. Nastya’s mother never stood up for her, too afraid of her husband’s heavy hand. Only her devoted grandmother brought any light to Nastya’s world. Once a month, from her modest pension, Grandma would give her beloved granddaughter a “salary” for good behaviour. Even if Nastya misbehaved, Grandma would always pretend not to notice and hand over her pay anyway—five roubles! For Nastya, that was the happiest day of the month. She’d rush to the shop and buy ice cream (one for herself, one for Grandma), halvah, and a few sweets. Every time, Nastya tried to make the treats last all month—but after two days, they’d always be gone. Then, as if on cue, Grandma would get her own ice cream from the fridge and say, “Here, sweetheart, eat this. My throat is sore today.” “How odd,” Nastya thought, “Grandma’s throat always seems to start hurting the day my sweets run out…” She secretly always hoped to get a share of Grandma’s portion. Martha’s family was the complete opposite. Their home was overflowing with comfort. Her parents earned good money and pampered their only daughter. Martha was always dressed in the latest fashions, and her classmates sometimes borrowed her things. She was never denied anything—well-fed, well-dressed, and shod in the best shoes. Yet Martha envied her classmate’s enchanting beauty, the warmth that radiated from Nastya, and her natural ability to get along with everyone. Martha, however, considered herself above even talking to Nastya. Whenever they crossed paths, Martha would glare at her so coldly, it felt to Nastya as if she’d been doused in ice water. Once, Martha insulted her in front of everyone: “You’re pathetic!” Nastya ran home in tears and told her grandmother. Grandma sat her down, stroked her hair and said, “Don’t cry, Nastya. Tomorrow, tell her, ‘You’re right—I belong to God!’” Nastya felt better right away. Martha was beautiful herself, but her beauty came with an air of coldness and distance. Then there was Max, the class heartthrob—carefree, always joking, not bothered by failing grades or scoldings from teachers. His outlook was sunny, and his optimism infectious; even the teachers liked him, despite his troublemaking ways. In their final years at school, Max began escorting Martha home after lessons and waiting for her at the school gate in the morning. Their classmates teased: “Here come the bride and groom!” Even the teachers noticed the blossoming romance between Max and Martha. Eventually, the final bell rang, prom night passed, and the classmates went their separate ways. Max and Martha married in a hurry—the “evidence of love” couldn’t be concealed, not even by Martha’s elaborate wedding dress. Within five months, she gave birth to a daughter, Sofia. After school, Nastya was forced to get a job. Her beloved grandmother had passed away, and now her parents depended on Nastya’s income. She had plenty of admirers, but none touched her soul, and she was ashamed of her alcoholic family. A decade slipped by… One day, in the waiting room at the addiction clinic, there were two pairs: Nastya with her mum, Max with Martha. Nastya immediately recognized Max—he was now an impressive man, but Martha was nearly unrecognizable: gaunt, hands shaking, dead-eyed, only 28 but looking much older. Max greeted Nastya, embarrassed. “Hello, classmate,” he said, not wanting Nastya to witness his family’s misery. “Hello, Max. Looks like trouble at home. Has it been going on for long?” Nastya asked quickly. “A while,” he confessed, awkwardly. “A woman who drinks—it’s a disaster. I know from my mum. My father literally drank himself to death,” Nastya sympathized. After the appointments, Max and Nastya exchanged numbers for support. Misery loves company, and Max started visiting Nastya for advice. She shared her hard-earned wisdom about living with alcoholics, what treatments worked, and what absolutely didn’t. She knew, as so many drowned in the bottle, it wasn’t always obvious from the surface… Max confided that he and his daughter Sofia had long lived alone—Martha had returned to her parents’ home. Max had shielded Sofia from her unpredictable mother. The breaking point was when Max came home to find Martha drunk on the floor and three-year-old Sofia teetering on the windowsill, poised to fall from the fifth floor. After that, Max took no more chances. Martha refused help, convinced she could stop anytime. She was drawn to the abyss—and wanted to fall as far as possible. Their marriage ended. Later, Max invited Nastya to a restaurant and confessed: he’d loved her since their schooldays, but was too afraid of rejection, then Martha had become pregnant… Life tumbled on. Meeting at the clinic had seemed like fate. Chatting with Nastya was like a soothing balm. Max proposed marriage, and after all these years, Nastya was finally ready to accept his love—especially now that Martha was out of the picture. Nastya and Max married quietly, and she moved in with him. At first, Sofia was wary of sharing her father’s love, but Nastya’s kindness soon melted her heart, and before long, Sofia started calling her “mum.” A few years later, Sofia gained a little sister, Molly. One day, their doorbell rang. Nastya opened it to find—Martha, utterly changed, reeked of alcohol, a living warning. “You snake! You stole my husband, my daughter! No wonder I’ve hated you all my life!” Martha hissed. Nastya stood calm, confident, beautiful. “I have never taken what was not mine. You gave up your family by choice, never understanding why. I have never uttered a bad word about you. I truly pity you, Martha…” With that, Nastya closed the door on her uninvited guest.
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