Vasily strolled aimlessly through the park, basking in the gentle warmth of the May sun. The vibrant green of the trees swayed softly in the breeze, while the sweet aroma of blooming lilacs and apple blossoms filled the air. In the distance, children’s laughter echoed faintly, tugging at his thoughts. Mine must be adults now, Vasily mused with a pang of regret, remembering his twins, Lera and Denis.
It had been fifteen years since he’d walked out on them. That day lingered in his memory like a scar—packing a suitcase, telling Olya he couldn’t stay, that he had found someone else. At the time, it had felt right. He’d convinced himself he deserved happiness, that their love had faded, and staying together was pointless. He hadn’t thought much about how Olya would cope or what would happen to the kids. Surely, she’d find someone better, he had reasoned.
Back then, they had been a picture-perfect family. Vasily had been a young lieutenant, full of ambition and vigor, stationed in a small, remote garrison. Olya, a delicate and kind-hearted college student, had arrived for an internship, utterly unaware of how much her life was about to change. Their meeting had been like a scene from a romance movie—him, dashing in uniform, and her, radiant in a lilac dress with dainty flowers.
Their whirlwind romance led to a happy marriage and the birth of their twins. For years, Vasily adored his wife and children, believing nothing could break their bond. But life wore them down. Olya became engrossed in household chores, losing herself in the role of a housewife, while Vasily’s military discipline made him increasingly detached. They drifted apart, their conversations growing terse and devoid of emotion.
Then came Irina. Younger, lively, and bursting with energy, she was everything Olya no longer seemed to be. She looked at Vasily with admiration, hung on his every word, and made him feel alive again. He fell hard, and leaving his family felt inevitable. He had convinced himself he was doing the right thing—not just for himself, but for everyone involved.
At first, life with Irina was exhilarating—passionate and full of spontaneity. But as time passed, the novelty wore off. Irina, as it turned out, had expensive tastes and an insatiable desire for luxury. Vasily found himself working long hours to fund her lifestyle, yet it was never enough. Their relationship grew strained, filled with arguments and resentment.
Still, he stayed. They had a daughter together, and for a while, he hoped the baby might bring them closer. It didn’t. Irina’s demands only grew, and Vasily began to see the cracks in their foundation. One day, coming home early, he discovered Irina with another man. She didn’t even try to hide her infidelity, casually informing him she was leaving for someone wealthier.
Vasily was left to reflect on the choices that had brought him to this point. He realized he’d thrown away his family for a fleeting fantasy, betraying the very people who had loved him unconditionally. The weight of regret pressed down on him as he wandered the park, where he used to take his twins so many years ago. Every corner of the park carried a memory—the bench where they’d shared ice cream, the tree Denis had fallen from while trying to climb, the laughter that had once filled the air.
Sitting down on a familiar bench, Vasily closed his eyes and sighed deeply. If only I could turn back time, he thought. He longed to tell his children he loved them, to right his wrongs, but he doubted they would even want to see him now.
“Dad?”
The voice startled him. He opened his eyes and found himself staring at a young woman. Tall, slender, with long blonde hair and familiar dimples.
“Lera?” he whispered, his voice trembling with disbelief.
She nodded, a smile lighting up her face. “It’s me.”
Before Vasily could react, Lera stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him. He froze, overwhelmed by emotions he hadn’t felt in years.
“I can’t believe it’s you,” he finally managed. “You’ve grown so much.”
Lera sat beside him, studying his face. “You haven’t changed much, Dad. A little grayer, maybe, but still the same.”
Vasily attempted a smile, though it felt hollow. “Can you ever forgive me?” he asked quietly, his voice barely audible.
“Forgive you for what?” Lera’s brows furrowed in confusion.
“For leaving. For not being there. For not calling or visiting,” he admitted, his shame pouring out.
Lera hesitated, then smiled faintly. “We were angry at first. Of course we were. But eventually, we let it go. Mom taught us to move on. She always said it was better this way.”
Vasily’s heart clenched. “And your mother? How is she?”
“She’s doing well,” Lera replied. “She works at a kindergarten now. She’s really good with kids.”
After a pause, she added, “She’s not alone anymore. She has someone. They’ve been together for a while.”
The words hit Vasily like a punch to the gut. He had no right to feel betrayed, but he did. What had he expected? That Olya would wait for him? It had been fifteen years.
“And Denis?” he asked, desperate to steer the conversation elsewhere.
“Denis is getting married soon,” Lera said. “You should call him. I’ll give you his number.”
When Vasily called, Denis was less welcoming than his sister, but they spoke briefly, and Denis extended an invitation to the wedding.
On the day of the ceremony, Vasily arrived at the venue, nervous and unsure of his place. The room buzzed with laughter and music as guests mingled. He spotted Denis, who greeted him warmly.
“I’m glad you came,” Denis said, introducing his fiancée, Katya. She was lovely, and Vasily felt a flicker of pride for his son.
But his eyes soon sought out Olya. She stood by the window, radiant in a simple blue dress, her face glowing with happiness. Vasily approached cautiously.
“Hello, Olya.”
She turned, her expression calm and composed. “Hello, Vasya.”
“You look beautiful,” he said sincerely.
“And you’ve held up well,” she replied with a polite smile.
Their conversation was brief, filled with pleasantries about the children. Then a man approached, placing a hand gently on Olya’s shoulder.
“Are you cold?” he asked her with concern.
“No, I’m fine,” she replied warmly. “Sergey, meet Vasily, the twins’ father.”
Sergey extended a hand, and Vasily shook it reluctantly. It was clear that Olya had found happiness with this man. Watching them together, Vasily felt a pang of regret sharper than anything he had ever experienced.
As the evening wore on, Vasily couldn’t stop thinking about the life he had destroyed with his own hands. He had hoped for forgiveness, but he realized that forgiveness wasn’t enough. Some mistakes leave scars that never truly heal.