«Mom, do you realize how hard this is? How do I even tell her about this?» Roma slumped into a chair, his hands trembling nervously. «You understand, even the thought makes your heart sink.»
Elena Ivanovna looked intently at her son and sat down opposite him, trying to calm down.
«Listen, son, let’s figure this out. With Vika, it’s clear: her condition is irreversible. The entire family line passed away early, and doctors are still puzzled by her illness but can’t find the cause. And what if she also passes this trouble onto you? Think about yourself, about your future! By the way, have you noticed who has had her eye on you for a long time?»
Roma silently stared at his mother as she continued:
«Yes, I’m talking about Natalia Sergeevna. She’s a wonderful woman! Only she’s your boss, and ten years older…»
«Mom!» he interrupted, slamming his hand on the table. «Let’s skip those hints! I’m not planning to have a relationship with my boss, especially not with someone older than me!»
Elena Ivanovna also slammed her hand on the table, showing her character.
«What’s wrong with age? Do you even realize the opportunity you’re missing? And think about your career! With such a job, you’ll never become a leader. Remember how much money we spent on gifts for teachers just so you wouldn’t be expelled from college? You always slept through classes!»
Igor stared at the floor, feeling the awkwardness of the conversation.
«Mom, how do I say this? You understand—shared apartment… Anyway…»
«Stop being so naive!» Elena Ivanovna sharply interrupted him. «Pretend you’re worried about her health. Remember the house in the village. Take her there, citing a doctor’s advice, and we’ll see. She won’t return from there, I promise.»
«But that’s not right… It looks kind of ugly,» he muttered.
His mother laughed loudly:
«So, you’re planning to hide a mistress behind your sick wife’s back? You’ve lived off her for five years, and now suddenly you’re having a crisis of conscience?»
Igor looked down again. He always chose the path of least resistance. First, his mother’s house was convenient, then caring Vika. But the illness changed everything: she stopped giving him as much attention as before. He had to find solace elsewhere, although deep down, he continued to blame his wife.
«I don’t know… What if it doesn’t work out?» he asked, confused.
Elena Ivanovna remained silent, giving her son time to decide.
«Fine, I’ll do as you say. Maybe then you’ll find your happiness.»
—
They decided not to delay the conversation. That evening, Igor returned home earlier than usual.
«Vik, I’m home!» he announced cheerily as he entered the apartment.
His wife, pale and frail, appeared from the room. He noticed her sunken face.
«How are you feeling?»
«So-so… Even a short walk around the apartment exhausts me. Why is this happening to me?»
Igor smiled broadly, trying to appear sincere.
«You know, I consulted with experienced people. They all are sure: you need more fresh air. Remember the house in the village—it’s clean, natural products, peace.»
«Yes, but it’s grandpa’s house, it hasn’t been updated in a long time,» Vika replied weakly.
«No worries! I’ll help fix it up. I’ll take a few days off, and I’ll come on weekends. I’ll even use my vacation in the summer. I’m sure the village air will do you good!»
«How will I survive a whole week there alone?»
«Lord, Vika, what are you afraid of? If needed, we’ll hire a helper.»
Vika was too weak to resist. The next day, they started packing her things.
«Why so much? Are we leaving for good?» she wondered.
«The more we take, the more comfortable it will be. Plus, we’re not carrying everything by hand—we’ll use the car.»
A sense of anxiety never left her. She remembered the times when Igor had convinced her to delay their plans for a child. «Let’s think about ourselves first,» he had said then. Six years of taking contraceptives proved fatal: pregnancy never occurred. When attempts stopped, her husband started hinting that she was «incomplete.» Although Vika really wanted to be a mother, fate had other plans. Now, his words about the village only brought a sense of hopelessness.
With each day, Vika increasingly felt how her body was betraying her. Perhaps, indeed, the fresh air of the village would bring relief.
—
The old house greeted her with a dilapidated facade—paint peeling off, but inside, everything remained dry and infused with the familiar scent of herbs. This place held memories of childhood, when she spent her summer vacations here.
The next morning, Igor announced his departure.
«We’ve just arrived! How can you go to the city?» Vika was surprised.
«Mom called, said she’s unwell. I need to go,» he replied without much emotion.
«But I… What am I supposed to do alone now?»
«You’re not dying, and you’re younger than mom. Her condition requires my attention right now.»
«When will you return?» she asked, feeling anxious.
«In a couple of days, don’t worry.»
—
Days passed, but her husband never returned. First, the phone was busy, then it stopped answering altogether. On the fourth day, Vika decided to call a neighbor.
«Vika, I knew I needed to tell you, but I was afraid… He’s not alone. They’ve started a new life with his mother. She even moved to the city, it seems, for good.»
These words weighed heavily on her heart. The medications were running out, and there was almost no money left. Desperation took over, and she fell asleep, waking up to realize that night had already fallen on the village.
The decision came suddenly. She left the house and headed toward the cliff over the river. Her steps were heavy, strength rapidly leaving her. Upon reaching the spot, Vika sat down on the grass and covered her face with her hands.
«Lord, why is all this happening to me?»
Tears streamed down in hot torrents. She was so absorbed in her thoughts that she didn’t immediately notice someone else’s presence. Lifting her head, she saw a stranger watching her with a half-smile.
«Well, beautiful, trouble with your manicure or hairstyle?» he tried to lighten the mood.
His words seemed odd, but somehow they reassured her. Vika waited for him to leave, but he stayed standing nearby.
«Maybe you’ll tell me why a beautiful girl like you is sitting by a cliff at night?»
She looked up and noticed his expression had turned serious. For the first time in a long while, she felt like sharing her grief. As she spoke of her husband’s betrayal, her illness, and loneliness, she cried, and he silently listened, not interrupting.
Vika didn’t know who this man was or where he came from, but something in his voice made her trust him.
«Come on, get up,» he said gently.
She instinctively stepped back, frightened by the sudden closeness.
«Come on, you don’t care, do you? You were about to… Well, you understand. I’m just joking. Don’t worry, let’s go to my grandmother’s. She definitely knows how to help.»
With those words, he reached out his hand. Vika hesitated, then took it and struggled to stand up.
«Where are we going? Aren’t we in the village?»
«Why in the village? My grandmother lives a bit aside,» he smiled.
«Oh…» was all she could say.
«Allow me to introduce myself: Sergey. I’m here on vacation, but now, it seems, I’ll stay for good. Grandmother is quite old, and work is no problem for me—I’m a programmer. So, don’t worry.»
His words reassured Vika. She decided that he really didn’t seem so dangerous after all.
The house was not far away, just beyond a small forest. In her childhood, this place scared her with stories about a witch who supposedly lived there. However, inside everything was completely different—warmth and comfort filled every corner.
Sergey’s grandmother seated Vika and offered her a cup of fragrant tea. It exuded the aroma of roses and herbs, warming her from the inside. Fatigue overwhelmed her, and the last thing she remembered was a soft blanket they covered her with.
«Rest. Strength comes in sleep,» the grandmother whispered.
When Vika woke up, she looked around, surprised at what was happening.
«Where am I?»
Seeing the kind old woman, everything came back to her.
«How are you feeling?»
«Thank you, much better.»
«Wonderful. Sergey told me your story. Why didn’t you leave them earlier?»
«And why? Could it have been any different?»
«Of course! All your illnesses are a result of a lack of love and care. There you were just a source of strength. Here, in the village, you’ll find healing.»
—
Igor tiredly listened to another of his mother’s moral lessons.
«What now, mom?»
«A quarter of a century lived, and no success,» snorted Elena Ivanovna.
«It was your advice to start an affair with the boss! Now she’s found herself a young lover and fired me. What to do?»
«Stop blaming everything on me! You chose this path yourself.»
«But now I’m without a job and money!»
«Did I forget how you got into debt for her gifts?»
«Fine, what about Vika? How is she?»
«The doctor said she had less than half a year left.»
«Half a year? That was a year ago… So, she’s already…» His voice trembled.
«Of course. We need to go for the death certificate, handle the inheritance. The house can be sold profitably.»
«Good idea. Let’s go. Just need to play the role of a grieving widower. Say she left on her own and didn’t want to talk to me anymore. No one will object. Just keep a serious face. Got it?»
«Yeah, right, I know all that! No need to teach me like I’m a kid in kindergarten!»
«And sometimes, it seems like you’re missing those three years.»
—
Igor parked the car on the edge of the village. Where to now? Directly to the house where he left Vika, or straight to the village council? After a moment of thought, he decided to start with the house.
However, his thoughts were confused: was she even alive? This uncertainty put him in a difficult position. Why go to the village council if he didn’t even know how to react to possible news? Who would tell them? When did it happen? But for now, these questions remained merely theoretical.
At that moment, a gray-haired man approached him:
«Who are you looking for, young man?»
«I’m looking for a woman… She came here about a year ago. Her name is Vika Savelyeva. Do you know her?»
«Ah, Vika! Of course, I remember. Everyone’s gathered at the club today—there’s an opening.»
«An opening of what?» Igor was surprised.
«Well, a new business there… Although they would have just called it a herbal shop before. Sergey’s grandmother is an excellent healer, and now they’re doing it together. I myself bought tea from Vika for my stomach—it works wonderfully!»
The man smiled and hurried on, leaving Igor in complete bewilderment.
«What are you saying! She was so sick, barely able to stand!»
«What sickness! Vika is now healthy and capable of healing anyone herself.»
Approaching the club, Igor noticed a lively scene: modern cars were parked around, not the old «Ladas,» and tents were neatly set up, each showcasing colorful jars with labels. It was clearly a successful business. In the crowd, he suddenly saw her—the same Vika. But she was a different woman now: full of energy, confident, and glowing from within.
Igor stepped forward, but a burly bearded man resembling a bear abruptly stopped him. His jeans and simple t-shirt didn’t hide his imposing build.
«Ah, a familiar face! What did you forget here? Weren’t you the one who brought her here to die? What do you need now?»
The man shielded Vika with his back, protecting her.
«I remember you, kind sir!» he added mockingly.
Igor froze, trying to figure out how to respond.
«You’re mistaken… I just wanted to know how she was…» he stammered. «I didn’t bring her for death… Just checking.»
But the bearded man wasn’t backing down. He kept advancing.
«You know she can’t be stressed, right? It’s dangerous for her and the baby. So here’s what we’ll do: leave your number, and I’ll talk to you later.»
Igor backed away in fear, then rushed to his car and, slamming the door loudly, started the engine. Before speeding off, he shouted:
«Deceiver! You’re all the same!»
And from afar, he added:
«Want a divorce? Pay up! Without money, you won’t even get the papers!»
Assured that he had left, Vika sighed.
«How many more times will I have to endure his intrusive visits asking to sign documents?»
«I think three should be enough,» her protector smiled.
Vika leaned into him, feeling completely protected. The past no longer had power over her. Now she had a new life, filled with love and joy.
