— My son did not disappear without a trace! He was alive all this time, — whispered Nadezhda Pavlovna in a pain-shaken voice, clutching at her last strength. — And I… I knew where he was.
— What? What did you say? — Angelina trembled as if struck. The words of her mother-in-law pierced her like lightning.
For ten years she had mourned her husband, for ten years she had avoided other men. All this time she had cared for her mother-in-law, supported her, secretly hoping that one day he would return. And now these words — they fell upon her like an icy shower.
Her husband was alive all this time? And Nadezhda Pavlovna knew about it? But why? For what reason did she act so cruelly toward her? Why hide the truth? Her throat tightened, and tears streamed down like a torrent. Each breath burned, every inhale brought pain. How could one live for so many years with such a weight on their heart?
— My son survived… That night, after the accident, he was rescued by a random passerby. Roman lost his memory. He remembered nothing — neither what happened to him, nor even his own name. They called me for the identification, since he had been declared missing. But when I saw that he was happy, free from the past, smiling and not burdened by the pain he endured, I became frightened. I did not want him to remember everything and return to his father’s business, which he hated with all his heart. I wished a better life for him. My husband was a tyrant; Roman’s childhood was difficult. When I saw him smile, something inside me changed. I could not allow him to close himself off again.
Every word from her mother-in-law stabbed into Angelina’s heart like a sharp knife. She looked at the dying woman and felt an ever-growing bottomless void within. There was no anger or hatred, only one question: “Why did you do this to me?” Only now, when she was ready to move on, having met someone capable of filling that void, did her mother-in-law decide to reveal the dirty secret she had kept for decades. It was now clear why she had been ill: to hide such a truth and never have the possibility to share it— it kills you.
— Why? Why didn’t you tell me anything?
— I couldn’t… Meeting you might have reminded him of his past. I tried several times to come and talk, but I couldn’t do it. He was smiling, engaged in what he loved, and I just left. Every time I felt guilty towards you, but I couldn’t tell the truth. My son was happy. With you by his side, he would not have experienced that happiness, and then a new life would have begun.
A new life? Is it truly a life if you do not remember yourself? If someone in the world is waiting for you, and you cannot even let them know you are alive?
Angelina looked at her mother-in-law as if seeing her for the first time. The woman she had considered close, a support in sorrow and joy, turned out to be the source of her many years of suffering. A vast chasm had developed between them, dividing past and present.
— You stole ten years of my life, — whispered Angelina, feeling a cold despair spreading inside her. — Ten years I could have lived differently. You thought only of your son’s happiness, but what about me? What about his family, his wife? I had the right, at least, to know that he was alive. But you deprived me of even that. All this time I supported you, and you… you didn’t even say a word.
Nadezhda Pavlovna closed her eyes, and tears streamed down her cheeks.
— Forgive me, girl, — croaked she. — I know I did terribly. I only wanted happiness for my son. I saw you suffering, but I couldn’t destroy his happiness. I allowed too many things in my life, neglected him, and let my husband inflict pain upon him. I thought that by doing so I could fix everything, give him a second chance free of the past. I was afraid for him, afraid of losing him forever. I was afraid that he would become like his father… The business consumed him back then, and even you couldn’t dissuade him from that life.
— And now, aren’t you afraid? — Angelina choked out through her tears. — Afraid that he will never learn the truth about your lies? That all these years, I waited for him? And if his memory returns, will he not come to hate you for it?
Nadezhda Pavlovna was silent. The weight of her guilt apparently pressed so heavily that, on the threshold of death, she decided to reveal the truth. But can such betrayal ever be forgiven?
— I thought you were already living on, — the old woman murmured quietly. — Stepan is a good man. You could have married him, had children. You still have a chance to start over.
— Living on? — Angelina burst out, leaping from her chair. Her legs wavered from shock. — How can I live with this wound that you yourself have inflicted on me?! Where is Roman? What is he doing? Has he started a new life? Has he found someone? — her voice trembled with pain.
Nadezhda Pavlovna slowly opened her eyes and looked at her daughter-in-law.
— He… he lives in another city. He works in a workshop, carving wood. He likes it. He is happy, Angelina. He has no other woman in his life, but work and hobbies have filled his days. You shouldn’t torment yourself. Just go on living. I’ve told you all this so that you might move forward and stop blaming yourself. My son is happy.
— And what about me? — Angelina screamed, unable to hold back her anger. — Have you ever once asked if I was happy?
Nadezhda Pavlovna extended a trembling hand toward her.
— Forgive me, — she whispered. — I will give you his address, but think carefully before you do anything. Consider what would be best for him. Too much time has passed, and the truth will cause him pain.
Angelina stepped back, folded her arms across her chest, and shook her head.
— Best for him? Do you really think you did the right thing? That he is living a full life? Yes, he may be smiling, but the emptiness inside is hard to fill. He is probably trying to remember the past, tormented by the realization of lost time. Yet again, you acted selfishly, deciding that you knew what would be “better.”
Nadezhda Pavlovna coughed. She asked for a notepad and pen, then wrote down the address where Roman now lived.
— I hope you never repeat my mistakes, — she said. — You have always been a wise woman. Think twice about whether you should tell him the truth. Roman lives his life, without lacking anything. Perhaps he will start a family. I pray that it happens. Let him go, Angelina. And forgive me, if you can.
To simply let go… For ten years she had been unable to do so. And now, knowing that her husband was alive? That he could have been by her side, even if he never remembered her? Even if he didn’t give their relationship a chance… Everything could have turned out differently.
Angelina ran out of the hospital ward, leaving Nadezhda Pavlovna alone with her guilt and shattered hopes. She ran, not knowing where. Inside, a vortex of emotions raged: pain, anger, hope, regret. She had to make a decision. Should she go to Roman? See him and be sure that he was happy in his new life? Or leave everything as it was and allow herself to find happiness again with someone who had patiently waited for her? No… After what she learned, she could not look Stepan in the eyes, let alone become his wife. Now, when even the slightest hope to start anew had appeared, she could not simply forget the past and live as if she knew nothing.
Stopping on a bridge, Angelina stared at the flowing river. She realized she could no longer ignore the truth. She had to see him at least once to decide what to do next.
That very night, a call came from the hospital: Nadezhda Pavlovna had died. Angelina found it hard to accept the news, yet she knew she had to bury her mother-in-law and pay the debt of their shared past. Although she had been cruel, her soul deserved peace. Angelina did not want to tell Roman the terrible truth if even his memory were to return. She had to decide everything on her own and carefully consider her next step.
At the funeral, Angelina recalled the anguished voice of Nadezhda Pavlovna, begging her not to destroy her son’s new life. Had the past truly weighed on him so heavily? In an attempt to drown her own pangs of conscience, the old woman had deprived Roman of his beloved wife. He was happy in his marriage, loved Angelina, and dreamed of children. His father’s business would never have made him like that man. Nadezhda Pavlovna was not thinking of her son, only of her own peace… And she only worsened the situation by not letting him remember who he was. But was Roman truly happy?
A few days after the funeral, Angelina met with Stepan and honestly confessed that it was all over between them. After that, she bought a train ticket. A journey into the unknown awaited her — to the person whom she still loved with all her heart, but who perhaps would never recognize her again. This path could either heal her soul or shatter her heart completely. But she knew she had to see him.
On the train station platform, Angelina stood feeling the cold wind hit her face. Her heart pounded wildly, and her thoughts were in disarray. She remembered how many times she had dreamed of this meeting, but now, on the threshold of reality, doubts overwhelmed her.
Following the directions on her navigator, she approached a small wooden house. In front of the door, she paused for a deep breath. Her heart pounded in sync with her fears and despair, waves crashing over her. She was about to leave when the door opened, and there, on the threshold, appeared Roman. His hair had faint strands of gray, and his hands showed prominent veins—a testament to years of hard work. Yet his eyes remained the same — warm and full of tenderness. For a moment, time seemed to stand still. They gazed at each other, and at that moment the world around them dissolved. Angelina refused to believe her eyes. Until the end, she tried to convince herself that her mother-in-law might have been mistaken, but no… Before her stood her husband, yet he clearly did not recognize her.
— Hello, — Roman smiled. — Did you come to place an order? Would you like something custom-made or prefer to choose something from my ready-made works?
Angelina staggered — her body suddenly went limp. She nearly fell, losing consciousness, but strong arms caught her. Roman helped her into the workshop and seated her at a table.
— Are you feeling unwell? Perhaps you should have some tea? I have an excellent herbal blend—it helps to restore strength.
To run… She wanted to run as far away as possible. She had not expected to feel that unbearable pain of loss again. Her husband was alive… he was right there, yet he did not remember her at all.
Roman brewed tea and placed a cup before Angelina. She took it with trembling hands, but did not manage to lift it to her lips. Overwhelmed by weakness, the cup fell from her grasp, shattering on the floor. It shattered along with her hope for a new happiness.
— I’m sorry… I shouldn’t have come. I’ll clean this up.
Angelina crouched to collect the large shards, but then shrieked, injuring her finger. Drops of scarlet blood fell onto the spotless porcelain of the broken cup. It seemed as if the sound of their fall echoed in her head. Everything unfolded as if in slow motion.
— No need. I’ll handle it myself. You’re hurt…
Roman took her hand, and their eyes met again. A few drawn-out moments passed before a name broke from his lips:
— Angelina?
— What? — she whispered, not believing her ears. Could it be that he remembered her? She was afraid to even move, so as not to shatter this strange moment. Perhaps he had just said her name by chance? Or had he truly remembered?
— I remembered… I remembered everything. But where have you been all this time? Why did you come only now? I spent so long trying to find you among the passersby, trying to regain my memory. I waited… and now I see it wasn’t in vain.
Drawing the weeping woman to him, Roman embraced her tightly. They had much to discuss and share about all that had happened over these years. But they had already endured so many trials that they were ready to face any hardship. Their love had withstood long years of separation, and now it was time to be happy. Yes, the road ahead might be difficult, but now they had each other again as a support.
Later, at the hospital that very night, Angelina learned that Nadezhda Pavlovna had passed away. The news was hard for her to accept, yet she knew she had to bury her mother-in-law and settle the debt of their shared past. Though the old woman had acted cruelly, her soul deserved peace. Angelina did not wish to tell Roman the grim truth, even if his memory were to return. She had to decide everything herself and carefully ponder her next step.
At the funeral, as Angelina listened, she recalled the anguished voice of Nadezhda Pavlovna pleading not to shatter her son’s new life. Did the past truly weigh so heavily upon him? In an attempt to silence her own conscience, her mother-in-law had deprived Roman of his beloved wife. He was happy in his marriage, loved Angelina, and dreamed of children. His father’s business would never have made him like that man. Nadezhda Pavlovna cared not for her son, only for her own solace… And in doing so, she only worsened the situation by keeping him from remembering who he truly was. But was Roman truly happy?
A few days after the funeral, Angelina met with Stepan and honestly admitted that it was all over between them. After that, she purchased a train ticket. A journey into the unknown awaited her—to the person she continued to love with all her heart, though he might never recognize her again. This path could either heal her soul or shatter her heart completely. But she knew she had to see him.
At the train station platform, Angelina stood, feeling the cold wind strike her face. Her heart pounded furiously, and her thoughts tangled. She remembered how many times she had dreamed of this meeting, but now, standing on the brink of reality, doubt overwhelmed her.
Following the instructions of her navigator, she approached a small wooden house. At the front door, she paused to take a deep breath. Her heart pounded in rhythm with her fears and despair, crashing over her in waves. She was about to leave when the door opened, and there, at the threshold, appeared Roman. His hair was tinged with gray, and his hands revealed prominent veins—evidence of years of hard work. Yet his eyes remained the same — warm and full of tenderness. For an instant, time seemed to freeze. They looked into each other’s eyes, and in that moment, the world around them melted away. Angelina refused to believe her eyes. Until the very end she had tried to convince herself that her mother-in-law might have been mistaken, but no… Standing before her was her husband, although he clearly did not recognize her.
— Hello, — Roman smiled. — Did you come to place an order? Would you like a custom piece or prefer to choose one of my finished works?
Angelina staggered — her body suddenly went limp. She nearly collapsed, on the verge of passing out, but strong arms caught her. Roman helped her into the workshop and seated her at a table.
— Are you feeling unwell? Would you like some tea? I have an excellent herbal infusion—it helps to restore your strength.
To run… She felt an overwhelming urge to flee as far away as possible. She had not expected to feel that unbearable pain of loss once again. Her husband was alive… and right there, yet he did not remember her at all.
Roman brewed some tea and set a cup before Angelina. She took it with trembling hands, but before she could lift it to her lips, weakness overpowered her, and the cup slipped from her grasp, shattering on the floor. It broke along with her hope for a new happiness.
— I’m sorry… I shouldn’t have come. I’ll clean this up.
Angelina stooped to gather the large shards, but then gasped as she injured her finger. Drops of scarlet blood fell onto the pristine porcelain of the shattered cup. It seemed as if the sound of their fall echoed inside her head. Everything happened as if in slow motion.
— No, don’t worry. I’ll take care of it. You got hurt…
Roman took her hand, and once again their eyes met. After a few lingering moments, her name slipped from his lips:
— Angelina?
— What? — she whispered, disbelieving her ears. Had he really recognized her? She was afraid to move at all, so as not to shatter this strange moment. Perhaps he had merely mentioned her name by chance? Or had he really remembered?
— I remembered… I remembered everything. But where have you been all these years? Why did you come only now? I spent so long trying to find you among the crowd, trying to reclaim my memory. I waited… and now I see it wasn’t in vain.
Drawing the weeping woman to him, Roman embraced her tightly. There was much to discuss, much to tell each other about everything that had transpired over the years. But they had already endured so many trials that they were ready to face whatever hardships lay ahead. Their love had survived years of separation, and now it was time to be happy. Yes, the road ahead might be fraught with challenges, but they now had each other again as a foundation.
