She had no idea where to go, no one to turn to. Svetlana was lost in her thoughts when she overheard two nurses nearby.
“I can’t believe how strong Dr. Tamara Ivanovna is,” one of them said as they stepped out for a smoke.
“I know,” replied the other. “Losing her baby and being unable to have more, yet she spends her life delivering other people’s children. Such a tragedy for such a kind soul.”
Svetlana’s chest tightened at their words. She glanced at her baby, his tiny nose peeking out from the blanket. She felt a pang of guilt. Could this child ever forgive her for what she was about to do?
Her life had been a series of misfortunes. Orphaned young, she had lost her parents in a tragic fire, and their home had been reduced to ashes. Moving to the city to live with her aunt was no respite; her aunt’s already strained household had no room for sympathy.
Svetlana eventually found a job and a sliver of hope. Then she met Saveliy, a charming man with a polished smile and expensive car. She believed he was her escape, her fresh start. But when she became pregnant, he vanished, leaving her with shattered dreams and a harsh reality.
Now, Svetlana was homeless and desperate. As she wandered aimlessly through the city, she stopped at a church. There, she prayed silently, her tears falling like rain. The baby stirred in her arms, pulling her from her thoughts. She needed to make a decision, one that tore her apart but seemed to be the only way forward.
By evening, she stood in front of a beautiful house with a green roof. Warm light spilled from its windows, and laughter echoed faintly from within. Svetlana’s heart ached as she kissed her baby’s forehead one last time. She placed him gently in a box, tears streaming down her face as she rang the doorbell. Then, before she could lose her resolve, she ran and hid behind a tree.
Moments later, the door opened. A man’s voice called, “Tamara, come here quickly!”
A woman appeared, scooping up the crying baby. “Tolya, bring him inside! Hurry!” she exclaimed. The door closed, and silence fell. Svetlana collapsed under the weight of her emotions, sobbing uncontrollably. When she finally gathered herself, she left the city, hitching a ride with a truck driver heading north. She had no plans, only the faint hope of starting anew.
Years passed.
Dr. Matvey Ivanovich, a skilled and compassionate surgeon, had built a life filled with purpose. He was married to Vera, a bright and cheerful woman, and they had a young son, Andrey. Though his work kept him busy, Matvey made sure to visit his mother, Tamara Ivanovna, whenever he could.
This time, however, he had a surprise. “Mom, we’re staying for three weeks!” he announced during a family gathering.
Tamara’s face lit up with joy. “Three weeks? Oh, my dear boy, this is the best news!”
The following days were filled with laughter, shared meals, and plans for fixing up the family home. One evening, as they prepared for a barbecue, an unfamiliar woman appeared at the gate. She seemed hesitant, unsure of herself.
Matvey approached her. “Hello, can I help you?”
The woman nodded nervously and stepped closer. Before she could say a word, Tamara Ivanovna, who had come outside, froze. Her face went pale, and she clutched her chest. Vera rushed to her side, helping her inside while Matvey watched the stranger leave without explanation.
Later that evening, Matvey confronted his mother. “Who was that woman, Mom? Why did she affect you like that?”
Tamara took a deep breath and began to speak, her voice trembling. “Matvey, there’s something I’ve been keeping from you for years. That woman… she’s your biological mother.”
Matvey was stunned. “What are you saying? You and Dad raised me—how could that be?”
Tamara explained the story of how they found him as a baby, left on their doorstep with only a note: Please give him the life I cannot. She described the pain of losing her own child and how Matvey had brought joy back into their lives.
“She came to me months ago,” Tamara admitted. “She told me her story. I didn’t know how to tell you. I was afraid of losing you.”
Matvey’s emotions were a whirlwind. He felt gratitude for the life his adoptive parents had given him, yet curiosity and confusion about the woman who had left him lingered. With Vera’s support, he decided to speak to the woman.
When Matvey found her, she seemed fragile, her eyes filled with a mix of fear and longing. “I don’t want to disrupt your life,” Svetlana said softly. “I just needed to see you, to know you’re well.”
Their conversation was cautious but heartfelt. Over time, Matvey and Svetlana built a tentative relationship, while his bond with Tamara remained as strong as ever.
Three years later, Svetlana lived in a house just down the street from Tamara. The two women had grown close, united by their love for Matvey and his growing family.
As Matvey walked into the yard one evening, his son Andrey ran to greet him, followed by Vera, who carried their baby daughter. Tamara and Svetlana watched from the porch, their faces glowing with pride and contentment.
Matvey grinned. “Who would’ve thought I’d have two mothers and three grandmothers for my kids?” he joked.
Laughter filled the air, a testament to the strength of love and the bonds of family that can form in the most unexpected ways.