— Mom, are you going on the night shift again today? — Katya asked, looking at her mother.
— Yes, my dear. Just you and Yura don’t get into trouble, okay? — Marina gently stroked her daughter’s hand.
— Of course, we’ll behave, but you hardly ever rest, — Katya persisted. — Maybe you could at least rest sometimes?
— Don’t worry, — Marina smiled. — I need to work so you can go to the graduation looking the most beautiful.
Katya sighed:
— I just want you to be home more.
—I will, Katyusha. As soon as we pay off this loan, everything will change. Only one year left.
Marina thought for a moment. Five years ago, life seemed stable: she was married and raising children. Her husband decided to start his own business, and Marina supported him. But the loan was taken out in her name. Then something unexpected happened — he left, saying he had fallen in love. He promised to pay the loan so she wouldn’t worry. But soon after, he died — in a car accident.
Marina was left alone with two children and a heavy debt. At the funeral, she didn’t know how to cope with this burden. But she pulled herself together: worked a lot, rented out everything she could, and they lived on the leftovers. Katya helped with her brother Yura.
— Well, I have to go, — Marina said, kissing her daughter. — Check Yura’s homework and make sure he’s home by nine. What would I do without you!
The hospital was far, with transfers. Marina often thought about finding a closer job, but over the years she had gotten used to this one.
— Good evening, Marina Nikolaevna, — greeted Sergey Andreevich, who had recently started working there. He had retired but was bored at home and decided to return to work. Marina noticed he had feelings for her. She felt embarrassed — he was a widower, she was alone too. Sergey was only a couple of years older, polite and well-mannered. At the hospital, people whispered about them, but it never went beyond hints.
— Hello, Sergey Andreevich, — Marina replied, trying to pass by to avoid attracting the nurses’ attention.
The doctors were already gathered in the office having tea.
— Join us, Marina Nikolaevna. How are things?
— Calm, though, as they say, calm before the storm.
The shift really started quietly: a man with appendicitis was brought in, a worker’s hand was stitched. The weather was good, so Marina went outside to rest a little.
Unexpectedly, Sergey sat down next to her.
— Marina, I want to invite you to the movies. I couldn’t think of anything better. Restaurant is too banal, theater — not everyone likes that. And besides, I don’t know much about you yet. No refusals allowed! — he smiled.
Marina wanted to refuse but laughed.
— Can you read minds?
— What is there to read? You avoid me every time I’m near.
— Is it that noticeable?
— Very. We are adults, both free. Don’t deny there is something between us.
Marina sighed deeply.
— I haven’t had such conversations in a long time.
— But life goes on, Marina. You shouldn’t stop.
— Okay, I’ll go to the movies with you. But I hardly have time.
— I noticed. You work a lot.
— I have to. My husband left me with unpleasant memories, — she smiled bitterly.
Sergey nodded:
— It happens. If you want, you can tell me more.
And unexpectedly, Marina began to talk about what she had long kept silent about. Sergey listened carefully.
— Think carefully before inviting a woman with such a burden to the movies, — she finished.
— Nonsense. Everything can be resolved, even in situations like this, — he answered confidently.
— Maybe you’re right. I think about it too much. I had a friend, we were very close. But as soon as I got married, we quarreled. It turned out she wanted to be with my husband too. Sometimes I wonder: what if things had turned out differently?
— Don’t torture yourself with questions that have no answers. Haven’t you reconciled with your friend?
— I don’t know where she is now. She left soon after the wedding. So many years have passed…
Sergey looked at the gate.
— It’s too quiet today. Probably work will start soon.
Marina went back inside. A few minutes later she was called to the operating room.
— Marina Nikolaevna, just in time! Prepare the operating room.
She started examining the patient without looking at his face. Only when she raised her eyes did she freeze: on the stretcher lay her husband Kostya, whom she thought was dead. He looked at her scared and turned away.
“It can’t be… He’s dead…”
The patient’s blood pressure was dropping; he was losing a lot of blood. Marina focused and began the operation. After it ended, she was sure: this was Kostya, despite the documents.
At the exit, a woman met her whose words caught Marina off guard:
— How is he, my husband?
Marina recognized Lena — her former friend she had long broken up with.
— Lena? — she said, surprised.
— Marina? I didn’t know you worked here, — Lena replied shyly.
Lena sighed, gathering her thoughts:
— You operated on him?
— That’s Kostya? I don’t understand…
— Marina… it’s all so complicated… We wanted one thing but got something else. We need to talk.
— I want to know what’s going on here, — Marina’s voice trembled, struggling to hold back emotions.
Sergey Andreevich peeked into the office:
— Is everything okay? May I stay? I don’t want your head to spin.
Lena glanced at him quickly and nodded. The three of them settled in a small security room.
— Well, tell me, — demanded Marina, not taking her eyes off Lena.
Lena began her story. It turned out after Marina’s wedding, she left but years later returned to the city and met Kostya by chance. A romance began, then a plan: they decided to disappear to avoid paying the loan and alimony.
— Kostya had connections and was helped to start a business, — Lena continued. — But it didn’t work out. They moved to another city, but there were plenty of similar “entrepreneurs” there. It ended with debts. They sold everything they could and returned to my apartment. But creditors found us quickly. Today’s attack was from them.
Marina clenched her fists:
— And how do you imagine getting out of this situation?
— Maybe sell the apartment? Kostya has a share there…
Marina almost choked at these words:
— Lena, are you crazy? I’ve been paying off the loan for years, sacrificing everything for the kids. And you suggest I be left homeless?
Sergey Andreevich sighed:
— I think the best thing is to go to the police. Yes, Kostya will have to answer, but he will stay alive, and you, Marina, will finally be free of this burden.
Lena jumped up:
— Don’t give us away, Marina! This is your husband, the father of your children!
—I don’t feel sorry for you, honestly, — Marina said firmly. — Did you ever think about me when you started this scam? About the children? I can’t understand how you could do this. We stood at his grave, mourning him. Sergey Andreevich, please call the police.
Sergey dialed the number and then said to Lena:
— Stay here until they arrive.
Lena waved her hand and sat down. Marina went out.
— Mom, did something happen? You look upset… — Katya asked worriedly when Marina came home.
Marina sighed heavily and sat down beside her:
— Daughter, I need to tell you something. I don’t even know where to start…
She told everything. Katya quietly said:
— So, while we were paying debts here, he lived as he wanted? While we brought flowers to the “grave,” he was having fun? Mom, can I just consider my dad dead?
Marina shrugged:
—I can’t convince you otherwise. For me, he died twice.
Six months passed.
— Mom, do we have a celebration today? — the children went straight to the kitchen after coming home. — What’s that smell?
— Take off your jackets quickly, — Marina hurried them.
Yurka sniffed the air and whined:
—I’m going to starve!
Marina laughed:
— Not in half an hour. Everything will be ready by then.
Katya squinted and came closer to her mother:
— Mom, are you getting married?
Marina blushed:
— Oh, it’s not about marriage… Although, okay, today I want to introduce you to someone. His name is Sergey. Katya, Yurka, don’t just stand there, help me set the table.
She turned away, hiding her excitement — the children’s faces grew serious with surprise. But suddenly she felt their arms around her.
— Mommy, we’re so happy for you, really. The main thing is that he’s a good man, — they whispered. Marina wiped away tears.
— He’s good, you’ll see, — she said firmly.
There was a knock at the door. Yurka rushed to open it:
—I’ll open!
Marina closed her eyes. There was no turning back now.
A month later, Marina and Sergey got married quietly, with just close family. Yurka and Sergey quickly found a common language, and the boy began to look at him with respect. Sergey asked not to rush things — to give time for trust and adjustment.
Kostya was treated, and immediately the court case began. It turned out Kostya and Lena had a long list of frauds. Marina had to attend the hearing since her name also surfaced in the case. Kostya looked broken, Lena — bitter. They accused each other, and Marina felt sick watching it.
The loan remained Marina’s responsibility — the documents were in her name, and the court didn’t accept her arguments. But Sergey helped her pay off the remainder.
— That’s it, Marisha, now we start a new chapter, — Sergey hugged her. — Although now my wallet is empty, — he added with a smile.
They both laughed.
— The main thing is that everyone is alive and well, and we’ll earn the money, — Marina replied, feeling warmth and peace return to the home again.
