— What?.. How is that possible? The tests showed…

— The tests may have reacted to hormonal changes caused by the tumor, — the doctor explained gently. — It happens, although it is very rare.

Later it also became known that throughout all these nine months, the woman had carefully avoided modern examinations, especially ultrasound.

— In the old days, women gave birth without any machines, — she convinced herself. — I won’t let technology harm my baby.

At that moment she felt her world collapse. All those nine months — had they just been an illusion? All the hopes, all the conversations with her “baby”? She placed her hands on her belly and whispered softly:

— But… I believed…

The doctors immediately began an emergency examination. Fortunately, the tumor turned out to be benign. She underwent surgery, and her life was saved.

After her recovery, she sat for a long time at the window of her hospital room, thinking about how deceptive fate can be. She had not become a mother, but she had gained something else — the awareness of the value of life itself.

And even though she had no child, she had been given a second chance — to live, to rejoice, and to be with those who loved her.

When she was discharged, the doctor who had first told her the terrible truth said:

— You are a very strong woman. Perhaps this is your true miracle.

And she smiled for the first time in many months.