Olesya stepped off the bus, her movements slow and heavy.
\nThe journey had passed in silence, her tears the only sign of life. Her world had crumbled the day Andrey died. She would give birth to their daughter in two months\u2014the only reason she kept going.<\/p>\n
They had met two years after she left the orphanage. Life had been difficult\u2014days spent in vocational school and nights at the factory. She was used to hardship. Andrey came to the factory to install new machinery, and from that moment on, they were inseparable.<\/p>\n
When Olesya found out she was pregnant, Andrey proposed right away. He wanted her to meet his family and start their life together.
\nBut Olesya, shaped by years of rejection, feared his wealthy family would never accept her background. Though Andrey didn\u2019t understand her worry, she wasn\u2019t ready.<\/p>\n
Then, three months ago, Andrey left to visit his family, promising to return soon.<\/p>\n
She waited for days, then weeks.
\nPeople whispered he\u2019d abandoned her, but she couldn\u2019t believe it. Not him.<\/p>\n
Then, by chance, she overheard someone at work mention the man who\u2019d installed their equipment had d!ed.<\/p>\n
In a daze, she went to the accountant\u2019s office, where the older woman confirmed it: Andrey had been attacked by three men after returning home. He never made it back.<\/p>\n
Olesya was crushed. The pain hollowed her out.<\/p>\n
Now, in the rain, she walked through the cemetery, seeking his grave. She had to say goodbye. And maybe, to forgive herself. He had gone home to prepare his family to meet her, and she had let fear hold her back.<\/p>\n
His grave was fresh, covered in flowers. An old mausoleum stood nearby. His photo, smiling, hung from the cross above.<\/p>\n
\u201cHi, my love,\u201d she whispered, kneeling. Tears came fast and didn\u2019t stop.<\/p>\n
Eventually, soaked and chilled, she stirred.
\nHer phone was missing. She needed shelter. She pushed open the heavy crypt door and stepped inside.<\/p>\n
\u201cPlease forgive me. I just need to rest a bit.\u201d<\/p>\n
She sat down, leaving the door ajar. Then came a buzz. A phone, sleek and unfamiliar, was vibrating nearby.<\/p>\n
She picked it up, trembling. \u201cHello?\u201d<\/p>\n
A voice answered. \u201cHi, that\u2019s my phone. I lost it yesterday.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI just found it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCould you return it? I\u2019ll pay\u2014there\u2019s important stuff on it.\u201d
\n\u201cI\u2019m at the cemetery,\u201d she said softly.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, right. I was working there yesterday. Must\u2019ve left it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI wasn\u2019t feeling well, I\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
Olesya dropped the phone. The world went black.
\nA man shook her awake. \u201cMiss! Are you okay?\u201d<\/p>\n
It was Dima\u2014Andrey\u2019s brother. He recognized her immediately from the stories Andrey had told. Without a second thought, he carried her to his car and called home.<\/p>\n
\u201cMom, I found Andrey\u2019s girlfriend at his grave.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTake her to the clinic,\u201d Nina said. \u201cI\u2019ll meet you there.\u201d<\/p>\n
At the clinic, Olesya awoke to Nina and Dima at her bedside. She instinctively pulled back.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m Andrey\u2019s mother,\u201d Nina said gently.<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t come for help. I just wanted to say goodbye,\u201d Olesya whispered.<\/p>\n
\u201cTell me about you and my son,\u201d Nina said.<\/p>\n
Olesya shared everything. When she finished, Nina asked, \u201cWhy didn\u2019t you go with him?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI was scared,\u201d she admitted.<\/p>\n
\u201cI grew up in an orphanage. I didn\u2019t know how your family would react.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ve met the wrong people,\u201d Nina said softly. \u201cI\u2019m not like that. Rest now. We\u2019ll talk tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n
Later, Nina and Dima gathered Olesya\u2019s things. Among them were photos of her and Andrey, smiling, happy. Nina\u2019s eyes filled with tears.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe really loved her,\u201d she said. \u201cWe\u2019ll take care of her and the baby.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dima nodded. \u201cOf course.\u201d<\/p>\n
Two years later\u2026
\n\u201cKarinochka! Come to Grandma!\u201d Nina called, arms open. Her granddaughter ran to her as Olesya looked on, smiling. She now lived in the city center, studying law, supported by Nina and a nanny.<\/p>\n
But Nina sensed hesitation in her.<\/p>\n
\u201cOlesya, can we talk?\u201d<\/p>\n
She nodded, wary.<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you love Dima?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI do.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd he loves you. So what\u2019s the problem?\u201d
\nOlesya hesitated. \u201cIt\u2019s Andrey\u2026 I still feel like I\u2019m betraying him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nina spoke gently but firmly. \u201cHe\u2019s gone. But you\u2019re alive. Andrey gave you love and a child. Now you have a future. The living belong with the living.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nina left her in silence. Olesya stared at her phone for a long time.<\/p>\n
Then, slowly, she opened Dima\u2019s contact and typed:<\/p>\n