When Valentina married Artyom, she was solely twenty-two woman. She believed he’s her desitny.
From the primary days, the mother-in-law greeted him with warning. Her look spoke for itself: “You aren’t a match for my son.” Valya tried her finest – she cleaned, cooked, adjusted.
Artyom was silent. He grew up in a household the place his mom’s phrase was regulation. Even when she started to really feel weak, she attributed it to fatigue.
The prognosis occurred abruptly.
The medical doctors shook their heads. That evening, Valya cried into her pillow, hiding the ache from her husband.
Someday his mother-in-law got here to him and quietly stated:
– You’re younger, you’ve gotten an extended life forward of you. And with this one… she’s only a burden. Why do you want her? Take her to the village, to Aunt Dunya. It’s quiet there, nobody will choose you there. You’ll have some relaxation. And then you definately’ll start a brand new life.
He didn’t reply.
Valya was silent the entire approach.
“It is going to be quiet right here,” he stated. “You’ll really feel higher.”
“Will you come again?” she muttered.
He didn’t reply. He simply nodded briefly and left.
However d3ath was in no hurry.
Three months handed. Six. And someday a paramedic got here to the village. Younger, with a form look. He began visiting her, placing in IVs, fidgeting with medicines. Valya didn’t ask for assist – she simply didn’t wish to go away anymore.
And a miracle occured. First, a bit of bit – she received away from bed. Then she went out onto the porch. Then she reached the shop. Folks have been amazed:
– Are you coming again to life, Valyusha?
“I don’t know,” she responded. “I simply wish to reside.”
A yr handed. Someday a automotive arrived within the village. Artem received out.
Valentina was sitting on the porch, in a blanket, with a cup of tea. Rosy, full of life, with clear eyes. He was surprised.
– Are you… are you alive?
She appeared calmly.
— Did you expect one thing totally different?
– I believed you…
“D3ad?” she completed. “Sure, virtually. However that’s what you wished, proper?”
He was silent.
— I actually wished to depart. In that home the place the roof was leaking, the place my palms have been freezing from the chilly, the place nobody was round — I wished to go away. However somebody got here each night. Somebody wasn’t afraid of the snowstorm, didn’t anticipate gratitude. He simply did his job. And also you left me. Not since you couldn’t be there — however since you didn’t wish to.
“I’m confused,” he whispered. “Mother…”
– Your mom gained’t prevent, Artyom, – Valya spoke softly however firmly.
– Not earlier than God, not earlier than your self. Take your paperwork. You gained’t get an inheritance. I introduced the home to the person who saved my life.
Aunt Dunya watched from her doorstep.
– Go, son, and don’t come again.
Every week handed after Artyom left. He didn’t say something – he simply left. Valentina didn’t cry.
However destiny commanded in any other case.
Someday, a stranger appeared on the porch – in a black jacket, with a shabby briefcase in his palms. He requested if Valentina Mezentseva lived there.
“I,” she answered cautiously.
The notary sheepishly handed over a folder with paperwork.
— You may have… a will. Your father handed away. In line with the papers, you’re the sole inheritor to an house within the metropolis and a checking account. A big sum is due.
Valya froze. A thought flashed by means of her thoughts: “I don’t have a father.”
My coronary heart sank.
— A memorial service?
– Sure. He gathered everybody himself, stated that you simply left in horrible agony. And a month later he offered your house. He stated that he couldn’t reside there anymore.
Two days later she left for town. Every thing was confirmed. The house, the cash, the paperwork – the whole lot was transferred to her by regulation. She entered a brand new life now not as a lady who was left to go away in an deserted home, however as an individual able to deciding her personal destiny.
However the story doesn’t finish there.
Someday, Valya was strolling by means of the market and abruptly noticed him – Artyom. Subsequent to a different lady. Pregnant.
Their eyes met. Artyom froze.
– Valya…
“You didn’t anticipate that?” she requested calmly.
“Did you actually suppose that I’d stay d3ad to the entire world?”
His companion checked out him questioningly.
– Who is that this?
“An outdated good friend,” he answered informally.
Valya smiled barely:
– Sure, very outdated. The sort you buried way back.
“Is the whole lot okay?” he requested.
“Now sure,” answered Valya. “I received my identify again.”
However life, as at all times, was arranging new instructions.
Ilya typically dropped by. He didn’t rush her, didn’t strain her. He introduced her groceries, helped her with the housekeeping, cooked borscht, and was silent subsequent to her when she simply wanted to be with herself.
One quiet winter night, whereas snow was falling outdoors the window, Valya stated:
– You realize, for the primary time I really feel alive. How unusual, isn’t it?
Ilya smiled:
– Typically, to start out respiration, it’s important to suffocate.
She checked out him for an extended second. Then, for the primary time in a very long time, she leaned towards his shoulder.
A month later, Valya felt weak. At first she thought it was a chilly. Then she thought it was fatigue. However the physician, with a pleasant smile, stated one thing else:
– Congratulations, Valentina. You’re pregnant.
She froze.
Throughout the ultrasound the physician confirmed the display:
– Every thing is ok. One child.
Ilya hugged her with out asking any pointless questions. He simply held her tightly.
“We are able to do that,” he stated. “Collectively.”
And someday, whereas wanting by means of the native newspaper, Valya got here throughout a notice:
“Man arrested for fraud. Accused of forging paperwork, organizing the fictional demise of his ex-wife and promoting her property”
Title: Artem Mezentsev.
My coronary heart sank sharply.
Two years handed.
Life appeared stable, like contemporary bread on the desk – heat, filling, dependable. Lizochka grew up as a cheerful little one with a summer season look and dimples on her cheeks.
It appeared like the whole lot labored out.
However one morning a letter arrived.
A yellow envelope, uneven handwriting. Only a few strains:
“Are you positive he loves you? That Lisa is his daughter? Examine. And don’t be stunned to study the reality. Is Ilya too good? Everybody has their very own secrets and techniques.”
The cellphone rang. The quantity was hidden.
– Valentina? Is that you simply? – The voice was muffled, virtually alien.
– Don’t belief him. Ilya is just not who he claims to be. Take a look at his previous.
The connection was misplaced.
Valya was silent. She didn’t discuss to Ilya. One evening she appeared into his workplace.
There have been her medical data. Images, financial institution statements, even a duplicate of her father’s will.
Her coronary heart sank.
He knew the whole lot about her. Prematurely.
Footsteps within the hall. He entered.
– Are you searching for one thing, Valya?
She circled slowly.
– Who’re you?
“The one who saved you when everybody else turned away,” he answered calmly. “However you already guessed: none of this was an accident.”
– Do you know about me?
– Sure. From the very starting. I used to be given a activity. However then… I stayed for you. Modified my life.
– Who gave the project?
— Individuals who wanted an house. Cash. And also you. However they didn’t know that I’d lose the whole lot for you.
And someday the final message got here:
“Could 23, 19:00. Park on Yuzhnaya. If you happen to don’t come, your daughter gained’t reside to see college.”
She got here.
– Congratulations, Valentina. You turned out to be stronger than we thought.
– Who’re you?
— Your father’s former companion. We labored collectively. He left you greater than you suppose. Paperwork. Contacts. Certificates. And so long as you’ve gotten it, you’re at risk.
– What if I give it away?
“I don’t know something!” Valentina blurted out.
“You can find out. And shortly,” the person replied.
Every thing fell into place.
Father wished to atone for his guilt earlier than his passing. He left her all this, considering that this is able to defend her. However as a substitute of safety, he obtained a curse.
“This can be a actual bomb,” he stated, operating his eyes over the supplies. “Do you perceive that now they’ll undoubtedly not go away you alone?”
– I perceive. However I cannot stay silent any longer. I’ve already been “okay*lled” as soon as. It is not going to occur once more.
Three days later, the article was printed.
And Valya stood by the window and watched as Lisa drew with a pencil – together with her little palms she drew the solar on the sheet of paper.
“That is for you, Mommy,” the woman whispered. “You’re my sunshine.”
Every week later Ilya returned.
“I gained’t make excuses,” he stated quietly. “Sure, I used to be a part of the sport. However you aren’t a part of the plan. You’re the which means. If you happen to let me, I’ll stick with you. Without end.”
Valya appeared into his eyes for a very long time. After which she nodded.
– One situation.
– Which?
– Not a single lie. Even when the reality is essentially the most horrible factor on the planet.
He hugged her silently. Six months have handed. The case was formally ended.
Someday she wrote:
“They tried to kill me not with a bullet, however with chilly, lies, loneliness. However I survived. As a result of within the darkest second, somebody reached out to me.
In case you are hurting now, know this: darkness isn’t everlasting. The solar at all times returns.
You simply have to attend for it.”
