“Mom, are you working again tonight?” Katya asked, concern in her voice as she studied her mother’s tired face.
“Yes, dear, I have a shift tonight. Will you and Yura be alright on your own?” Marina gently touched her daughter’s hand to reassure her.
“Of course we will, Mom, but you never rest,” Katya replied, unable to hide her worry. “You really need a break.”
“I know, sweetheart, but I have to keep working so we can have everything we need,” Marina said with a gentle smile. “Don’t you want to look amazing at your graduation?”
Katya sighed softly. “I just wish you could be home with us more often.”
“Just a little longer, Katyusha. Only one year left, and that horrible loan will finally be paid off,” Marina answered, her eyes briefly closing from exhaustion.
Marina’s thoughts drifted back to the past. Life once felt perfect—she had a loving husband, two beautiful children, and stability. Everything changed drastically when her husband, Kostya, decided to start his own business. She hadn’t questioned much at first, fully supporting his decision, even agreeing to take the loan in her own name.
But soon everything went terribly wrong. Kostya confessed that he had met another woman, promising financial help despite leaving her. Marina had barely processed that betrayal when tragedy struck—she was told that Kostya had died in a car crash. Left alone with two children and massive debts, Marina felt her world crumble. She stood at his grave, unsure how she would continue.
The next five years were incredibly difficult. All her income went toward paying off the debt, and the family lived very simply. Katya often took care of her younger brother, Yura, helping her mother cope.
“Okay, Katya, I must go now. Check Yura’s homework and make sure he’s home before nine,” Marina kissed her daughter’s forehead warmly. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
Marina worked in a hospital located on the opposite side of the city. The commute took over an hour, with multiple transfers. Sometimes she considered changing jobs, but she had grown attached to the place and her colleagues.
“Good evening, Marina,” a gentle voice greeted her at the hospital entrance.
It was Sergey, a recently hired doctor, a widower close to her age who had joined their hospital after retiring. Marina always felt slightly embarrassed around him, especially since it seemed he paid special attention to her. She felt eyes watching them from all corners of the ward.
“Hello, Sergey,” she replied quietly, attempting to move past quickly.
In the break room, her colleagues greeted her warmly, offering tea.
“How’s your day going, Marina?”
“Quiet so far—but that’s probably not a good sign,” she joked lightly.
Indeed, the start of her shift was unusually calm. After dealing with a few minor cases, Marina stepped outside to breathe some fresh air. She was startled when Sergey sat down next to her on the bench.
“Marina, I’d like to invite you to the movies. I couldn’t think of anything better—a restaurant seemed too formal and theater a bit serious. Plus, we don’t know each other very well yet. But I really want to get to know you,” Sergey confessed, smiling warmly.
Marina, initially preparing a polite refusal, suddenly laughed softly. “Are you reading my mind now?”
Sergey chuckled gently. “You always seem to avoid me whenever I appear.”
“Is it really that obvious?” Marina asked, genuinely surprised.
“Yes, quite obvious. We’re adults and free. I sense there’s something special between us,” he said calmly.
“I think I’ve forgotten what that’s like,” Marina sighed deeply.
“But life still goes on,” Sergey responded gently.
“Alright, I’ll go to the movies with you. Though my time is quite limited,” she finally agreed.
“I’ve noticed you’re constantly working. You barely rest,” Sergey said sympathetically.
“I don’t have a choice,” Marina answered sadly. “My husband left me with nothing but debt and bitterness.”
Sergey nodded understandingly. “You can tell me more if you’d like.”
Suddenly, Marina felt the overwhelming urge to open up. She told Sergey her entire story, her voice soft and hesitant.
“Now you might reconsider inviting someone like me out,” she concluded bitterly.
“Nonsense,” Sergey reassured her. “There’s always hope, even in the hardest moments.”
“You might be right. I dwell too much on the past,” Marina reflected. “I once had a best friend, Lena, but after my wedding, we argued. It turned out she loved Kostya as well. Sometimes I wonder if things could’ve been different.”
Sergey looked thoughtful. “It’s pointless to dwell on ‘what if.’ Did you ever reconcile with her?”
“No, she moved away right after the wedding, and I haven’t seen her since,” Marina answered softly.
“Tonight’s surprisingly calm,” Sergey said, looking toward the hospital entrance. “That’s unusual. Maybe we’re about to get busy.”
As Marina returned to work, a nurse rushed towards her. “Marina, you’re urgently needed in surgery!”
In the operating room, Marina immediately checked the patient’s file without looking at him. But as she raised her eyes, she froze in shock. Lying before her was Kostya, the husband she believed had died years ago. He quickly turned his face away in shame.
“This is impossible…” Marina thought, feeling dizzy. “He’s supposed to be dead.”
But his critical condition forced her back to reality. She summoned all her strength and professionalism to complete the surgery successfully.
Afterward, a woman approached anxiously. “How is he? My husband?”
Marina stared at her in disbelief. It was Lena, the friend she’d lost years ago.
“Lena?” Marina whispered, stunned.
“Marina! I had no idea you worked here,” Lena said, stepping back nervously.
“Was that Kostya?” Marina demanded.
“Yes… Marina, it’s complicated. We really should talk,” Lena admitted quietly.
Sergey appeared, sensing Marina needed support. They found a quiet room to speak privately.
Lena explained everything. She and Kostya had reunited years earlier, deciding to take out a large loan and disappear to avoid repayment. Their business failed, creditors found them, and Kostya had been severely beaten that evening.
“And what now?” Marina asked, struggling with anger.
Lena suggested selling Marina’s apartment to repay debts. Marina was furious.
“Are you serious? Kostya abandoned me with enormous debt and two kids. We mourned him, buried him, and now you suggest I lose my home?”
Sergey calmly interjected, “We need to inform the police. Kostya must answer legally, and Marina deserves to be free from this burden.”
Lena pleaded desperately, but Marina remained firm. “None of you cared about me or the children. Sergey, call the police.”
After giving her testimony and returning home, Marina told Katya the shocking news. Katya listened silently, deeply hurt.
“So while we struggled, Dad was enjoying his life elsewhere? Mom, I prefer to think he really died,” Katya declared.
Marina agreed softly, “For me, he died a second time.”
Six months later, Marina was preparing a special dinner at home. The children, returning from school, were curious about the delicious smells.
“Is it a celebration?” Yura asked excitedly.
Katya, noticing Marina’s nervousness, smiled knowingly. “Mom, are you seeing someone?”
Marina blushed slightly. “Actually, yes. Tonight you’ll meet Sergey.”
The kids hugged her happily. “As long as he’s good to you, we’re thrilled!”
The doorbell rang, and Marina welcomed Sergey into their lives.
Within a month, Marina and Sergey married quietly. Sergey and Yura quickly bonded, and Marina felt happier than ever. Kostya and Lena faced criminal charges, and although the court didn’t relieve Marina of her debt, Sergey helped her pay it off completely.
Embracing her, Sergey joked gently, “Now my wallet is empty too.”
Marina smiled warmly. “What matters most is that we’re all safe and happy. We can always earn money again.”
Together, they laughed, ready to embrace a brighter future.