“I was waiting for you,” he said. “Grandmother told me everything.”
Svetlana hesitated. “You don’t even know me.”
“Sit,” he said. “Let’s talk.”
Minutes turned to an hour. She told him everything. About Alexey. About the pregnancy. About having nowhere to go. And he listened. Really listened.
Finally, he said, “I have an idea.”
A job. A home. A chance.
“My grandmother needs company. She refuses to slow down, and I worry about her. Come live with her. She’ll help you, and in return, you’ll keep her company.” He met her eyes. “It’s not charity. It’s an exchange.”
Svetlana was stunned. “You’re serious?”
He nodded. “Say yes. Save your babies. Let me help.”
Two months later, she was living in the coziest home she’d ever known. The old woman—Evdokiya—became her family. And Sergey—Dr. Sergey Anatolyevich—visited often. At first, it was awkward. Then, it wasn’t.
One day, they went to Alexey’s to pick up her things. When he saw her, belly round with pregnancy, standing next to Sergey, he sneered.
“That’s mine,” Alexey said, pointing at her stomach.
Svetlana smiled, standing taller. “No, Lesha. They’re mine. And you? You’re nothing.”
Sergey placed a hand on her shoulder, and for the first time in months, she felt safe.
She gave birth to two beautiful baby girls. Sergey was the first visitor. His eyes lit up as he gazed at them.
“They’re incredible,” he whispered. “Strong. Healthy.”
Svetlana smiled. “Thank you, Sergey. If it weren’t for you and Evdokiya…”
Sergey hesitated, then cleared his throat. “Speaking of Grandmother…she insists we should get married.”
Svetlana blinked. “Wait. Are you proposing?”
He blushed. “I don’t know how to do this properly. I don’t expect you to say yes. I just—”
“Yes.”
He stared. “What?”
She took his hand, her heart steady. “Yes.”
And for the first time in her life, Svetlana knew she was exactly where she was meant to be.
