Her husband’s voice pulled Olena back to reality. Before she could even get a word in, Igor hung up.
Only three seconds ago, Olena had been practically floating on air. She was driving back from the family planning center, her suspicions finally confirmed. They told her she was finally going to be a mother and suggested she go home and share the good news with her husband.
Olena smiled happily again, deciding not to let her husband’s sudden departure ruin her mood. Lately, his business trips had become frequent. His company was expanding, and as their top specialist, he was constantly being sent out to the branch offices.
«Well, I guess you won’t find out you’re going to be a father for another three days! Serves you right!» Olena laughed mischievously, glancing in the rearview mirror. A driver trying to pass her winked at the charming woman and even blew her a kiss.
It was nearly impossible to ruin Olena’s day. She was radiant. She had been fighting for this happiness for seven long years, but a child had always eluded them. She had almost given up hope, feeling that a family couldn’t truly be complete without a child to bind a husband and wife together—a living testament to their love.
Igor, it seemed, had also stopped counting on it. He once told Olena that she was enough for him, but she had often caught him watching young mothers pushing strollers through the park with a lingering, wistful gaze.
«Of course, just when I need you, you’re nowhere to be found,» Olena thought with a brief flash of resentment. «But it’s your own fault. Always so busy with work. Though, what am I saying? It’s a good thing he’s working hard. Our expenses are about to go way up. Fine, I won’t worry about it or stress him out. I’ll just tell him when he gets back.»
The decision brought her instant relief.
This would give her time to get all her preliminary check-ups done. Today, they told her she needed a battery of tests to ensure the baby’s health.
The next day, she headed back to the clinic for a consultation. One of the women waiting in line remarked, «Honey, you are absolutely glowing! You’re so beautiful. God bless, I hope everything goes well for you!»
Olena laughed, flattered by the compliment, even coming from a stranger. She wished Igor could see her like this. Surely, he would notice how beautiful and happy she looked.
The nurses handed Olena a thick stack of lab slips and referrals. She had a long list of specialists to visit, but the looming appointments only brought her joy. They were proof that her greatest dream was finally coming true: she and Igor were going to have a baby.
Olena couldn’t stop smiling. She probably looked silly to outsiders, but she didn’t care. In her mind, she was already buying a crib, picking out a stroller, and mapping out walking routes for her future son or daughter.
Suddenly, Olena collided with someone. Someone had stepped right into her path in the clinic hallway. Her stack of lab slips and referrals scattered across the floor.
«I’m so clumsy, I’m so sorry,» Olena muttered. Without even looking up at the person she’d bumped into, she knelt down to gather her papers. One slip had fluttered quite a distance away.
She had to crouch low and reach under a waiting-room sofa to grab it. Suddenly, she froze.
Right in front of her eyes was a pair of sneakers she recognized.
«No way!» Olena thought, a realization hitting her. «Those are the exact same ones Igor wears. They must be popular!»
Olena lifted her head, and her heart skipped a beat when she saw Igor standing right there. She was about to cry out happily, «How did you find out?» but the words died in her throat.
It was only then that she noticed the woman standing next to him. A young girl, carefully cradling a prominent baby bump, speaking in a whiny, demanding tone:
«No, no, honey. I don’t like it here. Let’s find a different clinic. This place is too small. Look, people are literally bumping into each other!» The pretty woman on Igor’s arm looked pointedly at Olena.
I guess I’m the one who ran into her, Olena thought absently. She pulled herself up slowly. Her eyes met her husband’s, and she saw so much pain and fear in them that she instantly lost any desire to start a scene.
Almost in a daze, she managed to mumble, «I’m sorry, I’m so clumsy.» With those words, she turned and hurried toward the exit. She wanted the floor to open up and swallow her whole. Why did she have to choose this specific clinic today? She felt that if she hadn’t come, she could have held onto her happiness for at least a few more days.
Her husband’s voice trailed after her: «Len, wait! Where are you going? I can explain everything!»
Olena turned back for one last look at her husband and his companion. The beautiful girl was wrinkling her nose petulantly; she clearly didn’t understand what was happening. Her face was a mask of exhaustion and irritation. To her, Olena was just some stranger who had nearly knocked her over.
Olena looked at Igor calmly and kept walking. She wasn’t going to make a scene. Her husband had to make a choice right here and now. Of course, he didn’t know yet that she was pregnant, too.
But using a child to hold onto someone who had stopped loving you felt wrong. Igor should be with her because he wanted to be—not just because she was about to become a mother. Had he simply given up? Had he stopped believing they would ever have a child? That was the only way Olena could rationalize his behavior.
He had betrayed her. For seven years, Olena had spent countless hours in doctors’ offices, enduring exhausting procedures and exams. But nothing had worked. The city’s top specialists had just shaken their heads, unable to find any physical reason for their struggle. It seemed as though the universe was simply denying them the joy of parenthood.
So, Igor had resigned himself to the idea that his wife wouldn’t give him an heir. He had found another way to become a father. He had chosen not to stand by her, and Olena felt she had no right to stand in his way. Everyone is free to make their own choices.
But these rationalizations didn’t stop the pain. Tears streamed down her face. She felt hurt, bitter, and discarded. Then, a wave of nausea hit her.
Olena instinctively touched her belly, shielding the tiny life growing deep inside her.
Little one, she thought tenderly, making a silent promise, I won’t let myself get upset. This isn’t your fault. We’re going to be okay. I won’t let anything hurt you.
A strange sense of calm washed over her. She pulled herself together.
I need to go home and pack my things, she thought as she opened her car door. Let him bring his girlfriend and the mother of his child into our home. Though, it isn’t «ours» anymore.
Igor didn’t chase after her. He didn’t try to stop her. And that told her everything: this woman wasn’t just a random acquaintance or the wife of a friend he was helping out. This woman meant something to him. But she couldn’t let herself dwell on that.
Olena drove home carefully, focusing entirely on the road. It was vital now to be cautious and attentive. She couldn’t risk the baby’s safety; her child needed to enter this world healthy and on time.
She walked into the apartment where she and Igor had lived for seven years. They had only recently finished paying off the mortgage. The thought of packing his bags and staying put didn’t even cross her mind.
She felt that the other girl had already won. That neat little baby bump was proof: Igor hadn’t found out about the pregnancy today. He had known for at least five months.
He’d had plenty of time to tell his wife the truth. That would have been the honest thing to do. Instead, he had continued to lead a double life—sleeping in the same bed, making plans for the future, wearing the shirts she ironed, and eating the dinners she cooked.
Meanwhile, that other woman didn’t have to deal with the mundane reality of daily life. She just got to enjoy the time Igor spent with her.
What does he tell her? Olena wondered. How does he explain why he doesn’t spend every night with her? She must know he’s married. Does it even bother her?
The sound of the front door opening snapped her out of her thoughts. Igor was standing in the doorway. He didn’t waste time.
«Len, what are you doing? Why are you packing? Let’s talk, I can explain.»
«There’s nothing to talk about, Igor,» she said, her voice eerily calm. She had made her decision and wasn’t turning back. «I’ll rent an apartment for now. You two can settle in here. Your woman is expecting a baby; she should be comfortable.»
Igor watched Olena put on her coat and grab her bag. He made one last attempt: «Don’t go. Let’s just talk.»
But Olena didn’t even look back. She walked out of the apartment where she had once been happy without a word. Igor still had no idea he was about to become a father twice over.
Over the next few days, Olena focused on staying calm. Surprisingly, she succeeded. The thought of her baby gave her strength. She quickly found an apartment and went through another round of tests that confirmed both she and the baby were doing great.
Olena filed for divorce. About a month later, her mother-in-law called, sounding irritated.
«Olena, Igor told me you filed for divorce. He has no idea where you are or what’s going on. Can you at least explain to me what is happening?»
«I’ve simply decided to accept Igor’s choice, Vera Sergeyevna,» Olena replied calmly before hanging up.
They didn’t see each other again until they were in the courtroom. The divorce process was swift. The judge noted that Igor was accompanied by a pregnant woman, while Olena stood alone.
Igor looked bewildered. It would have been easier for him if Olena had screamed, cried, or fought for him. But she seemed completely indifferent.
She never really loved me, Igor thought. Stung by his wife’s calm demeanor, he spitefully requested full ownership of the apartment.
The court took note of the fact that Igor was about to become a father and that the «new family» needed a place to live. However, granting him full ownership was impossible; the property belonged to both spouses in equal shares.
Even the judge was taken aback. Olena announced that she would sign all the paperwork without a fight. She explained her decision simply:
«I can’t live in that apartment anymore. And I don’t have the time or the energy to meet with Igor to discuss a buyout or a trade. I have other things to attend to—things that are much more important.» She flashed a radiant smile.
Observing how happy the petitioner looked, the judge thought to himself, It seems they’ve both moved on. She’s the one who filed for divorce, after all, and she doesn’t seem to be grieving over her husband. Most likely, she has somewhere to go—and more importantly, someone to go to.
And so, Igor got the apartment. After the hearing, his mother approached her former daughter-in-law.
«Olena, I don’t understand you,» Vera Sergeyevna said. «I wasn’t exactly thrilled that you were my son’s wife, but this Yulia! She’s even worse! Why aren’t you fighting for him? At least we know you. Who knows how this girl is going to act?»
Nikolai Ivanovich, Igor’s father, tugged at his wife’s sleeve, embarrassed by her lack of tact. Olena looked at them calmly and replied:
«I have nothing left to fight for.»
With that, Olena headed for the exit. For her, this chapter was closed. This story wasn’t meant to have a sequel. Her only priority now was the health of her baby.
Life fell into a steady rhythm. Olena went to work, attended her prenatal appointments, and followed every doctor’s order to the letter. Her sister, Natasha, suggested she move in with her. Knowing Olena was expecting, Natasha felt it would be better if someone was there to take care of her.
Olena accepted the offer, but she was already looking into mortgage options for a place of her own. Her management at work fully supported her. Her boss even promised she could work remotely during her maternity leave; he didn’t want to lose a promising specialist who showed such great potential.
Olena shared her plans with her sister: «Can you believe it? My boss said I can work from home. I’ll be able to handle the mortgage, and the company is even vouching for me with the bank. I’ll be inviting you to a housewarming party before you know it!»
Natasha was thrilled for her. Initially, she had worried that Olena would spiral into depression, but nothing of the sort happened. Olena lived a full life. She didn’t cry herself to sleep or panic at the thought of raising a child without a husband.
She was always resilient, Natasha thought. She really has accepted his choice. And if you can’t change something, there’s no sense in worrying about it.
Three months after the divorce, Olena moved into her new apartment. Household chores were becoming more difficult as she tired easily, but she tried not to let it show.
Natasha visited regularly. During one visit, she squinted at her sister’s midsection. «Len, how far along are you exactly? Your belly looks way bigger than it should be. And I know what I’m talking about! You aren’t… expecting twins, are you?»
Olena burst into happy laughter. «I am! It’s going to be Vitka and Vovka. They’re going to be soccer players! You should feel them kicking.»
«No way!» Natasha cried in delight. «Why didn’t you say anything?»
«What’s there to say? It’s double the happiness, and happiness likes quiet,» Olena remarked serenely.
«Sis, don’t you worry. I’m going to help you raise them. After all, I’m getting two nephews at once!»
«Natasha, I never doubted you for a second.»
«Tell me, Len… do you miss Igor at all? You never even mention him. Were you really that indifferent to him?»
«You know, Natasha, Igor and I wanted a child so badly. We went through so many tests. I kept believing we’d succeed, but he didn’t. He gave up. And you don’t fight for someone who’s already surrendered. He made his choice, and I made mine. There’s nothing left to discuss.»
Natasha just shook her head, admiring her sister’s courage. She didn’t think she could have done the same. If she had found out she was carrying two sons, she probably would have tried to win her husband back.
Natasha doubled her efforts to look after Olena. She helped with the housework, went to every appointment, and when the time finally came, she drove her to the hospital.
And just like that, two little miracles appeared in the cozy apartment. The boys were perfect—healthy, strong, and very vocal.
Word eventually reached the former mother-in-law about Olena’s situation. She decided to visit and meet the newest members of the family. She was stunned to find not one grandson, but two.
Vera Sergeyevna wept with joy as she held the tiny, warm bundles that smelled of baby powder. In that moment, she finally understood her daughter-in-law.
«Olena,» she whispered, «I know what you went through to hold these boys in your arms. You deserve this happiness. You were right—my son gave up. He’s weak. But you’re different. You’re strong. You made the right call.»
«If you had fought for Igor, you might have lost these babies. Now, I can’t imagine a world where they don’t exist—and it would have been because of my son’s mistakes. Nikolai and I want to help you and the boys. Please, will you let us see them?»
«Vera Sergeyevna, I would never keep grandparents from their grandsons. Of course you can visit.»
Naturally, Vera Sergeyevna told her son that he was the father of two beautiful boys. By then, Igor had already broken up with Yulia.
He had discovered that the child she was carrying wasn’t even his. The girl had simply tried to cover up her flings by pinning the pregnancy on a reliable man.
When the truth came out, Igor was furious, but the damage was done. He sat alone in the apartment he had fought so hard for in court—a place where nothing reminded him of the happy family life he once had.
The news from his mother gave him a second wind. He decided he could win Olena back. After all, her life was twice as hard now. Where else would she go? Surely she’d have to accept his help.
Armed with confidence and a large bouquet of flowers, Igor went to his ex-wife’s door. He rang the bell, holding the flowers over the peephole, certain the gesture would impress her and put him back in control.
But Olena didn’t open the door. She spoke through it, telling him clearly that he had no connection to her children. They were her sons, and hers alone. Igor spent the evening standing in the hallway outside a locked door. Olena never let him in.
Later that night, when Natasha called to check in, Olena’s response made it clear she would never look back.
«Everything is great,» Olena said. «I’m happy.»
