Dasha and Egor had married a number of years earlier.
The connection had progressed quickly, however even Egor’s mom had authorised of Dasha from the start. Together with her power and optimism, Dasha introduced colour and liveliness into their lives.
Egor had a behavior of deflecting conversations about youngsters. Dasha observed however didn’t press him.
She gave him house, gently hinting at her hopes with out pushing too onerous. However the considered turning into a mom by no means left her thoughts.
What made issues simpler for her was the surprisingly heat relationship she had shaped along with her mother-in-law.
Dasha typically turned to Anna Vasilyevna for recommendation and companionship. They’d spend afternoons chatting over tea, laughing, and cooking collectively. Their bond was real.
This weekend, the couple was visiting the dacha. Dasha adored the place — lush gardens, blooming flowers, and fruit bushes made it a bit of haven.
She particularly cherished foraging for mushrooms and cooking meals recent from the backyard alongside Anna Vasilyevna.
That day, they’d deliberate to make borscht utilizing homegrown beets and cabbage.
However simply as they have been about to eat, Dasha realized they have been out of bitter cream and eagerly supplied to experience to the village retailer to get some.
“Don’t contact the borscht till I’m again!” she yelled as she rode off.
“Come on, son. I’ll grate some salo for the borscht,” Anna Vasilyevna mentioned. “The neighbor gave me some — it melts in your mouth.”
As they returned to the kitchen, Egor all of the sudden blurted, “Mother, I want to speak.”
“There’s one thing I’ve stored from Dasha. It’s been weighing on me for a very long time.”
“What’s it? Does she know?”
“No. Nobody does. However I can’t maintain hiding it. She retains asking why we haven’t purchased a spot but.”
“I’ve questioned about that too,” his mom mentioned. “You’ve been renting for years, and I even supplied monetary assist.”
“She’s additionally been speaking increasingly more about youngsters.”
“Properly, in fact. Isn’t it about time you two had a child? You’d make such great dad and mom.”
“I have already got a toddler,” Egor mentioned quietly.
“What?” Anna Vasilyevna froze.
“Just a little lady. She’s nearly three.”
“Why haven’t you ever talked about her?”
“It was an accident, from a enterprise journey. I went out one night, met somebody at a bar… and issues occurred. We have been by no means in a relationship, only a one-night mistake. However a number of weeks later, she known as and mentioned she was pregnant. She didn’t need something from me, simply requested that I assist assist the kid.”
“You have been already married to Dasha when this occurred?” Anna Vasilyevna gasped.
“Sure. It was after the marriage.” Egor dropped his head into his palms.
“And also you’ve stored this secret all this time?”
“Dasha doesn’t know. I ship cash from my wage each month, and she or he’s by no means seen my full pay. I’ve stored all of it hidden.”
Unbeknownst to them, Dasha had returned early. She had forgotten her telephone and her financial institution card.
As she stepped into the hallway, she overheard her title and paused, after which she heard every thing.
She stood frozen, her coronary heart pounding. Anger, betrayal, sorrow — all feelings rushed directly.
She wished to storm in and slap Egor, however she held herself again. What would a scene repair?
His one mistake had stolen their future. They’d no youngsters. No house. All their plans — delayed, tied to a accountability he’d hidden.
She was devastated not simply by the betrayal, however by the timing. If it had occurred earlier than they have been married, she may have understood. However after?
She took a deep breath, walked again outdoors, and waited for her tears to subside.
Moments later, she returned on her bicycle, carrying a bag of groceries.
“I grabbed two jars of bitter cream and a loaf of bread,” she mentioned, handing it to her mother-in-law.
Anna Vasilyevna seemed her within the eyes. “You heard every thing, didn’t you?”
Dasha’s face misplaced its cheer. Her lips trembled. “Sure. I do know.”
“What’s going to you do now?” her mother-in-law requested gently.
“I… I don’t know.” Dasha broke down and leaned on Anna Vasilyevna’s shoulder.
“Shh… don’t say something but. He doesn’t must know proper now.”
At that second, Egor walked onto the porch.
“What’s occurring?” he requested.
“She simply overspent and didn’t have change for bread,” his mom mentioned rapidly, shielding the reality.
However Dasha stepped ahead, her voice calm however resolute.
“No, I did hear every thing, Egor. I learn about your daughter.”
Egor was speechless.
“I’ve thought of it. You want to be there on your youngster and work on that relationship. This isn’t a couple of pet — you introduced a life into the world, and also you owe her stability.”
Anna Vasilyevna watched in silence, quietly happy with Dasha’s maturity.
“As for us,” Dasha continued, “we not have something to construct on. I’m leaving you. And the remaining — that’s your choice.”
“Dasha, wait…” Egor tried to cease her.
“I’ve made up my thoughts,” she mentioned. “Anna Vasilyevna, can I stick with you for some time?”
“In fact, my expensive. Keep so long as you want.”
Six months later, Egor started constructing a life together with his youngster’s mom. Whereas it wasn’t romantic, they co-parented properly, and ultimately mutual respect — and even some heat — grew between them.
In the meantime, Dasha, nonetheless residing with Anna Vasilyevna, met a sort younger man within the constructing — a programmer with a secure revenue and a delicate nature. They grew shut, and she or he quickly moved in with him, glad to remain close by.
Anna Vasilyevna, watching her son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter settle into new lives, lastly felt peace. All her family members have been protected — and that was greater than sufficient.
