Victor was driving home from a nearby town, handling some business matters. As evening began to fall, he spotted the silhouette of a young woman walking slowly along the deserted road, heading in the same direction. In his 40 years of life, Victor couldn’t recall ever turning down someone in need of help, so he pulled over and asked:
— Do you need help?
The young woman looked at him with suspicion but nodded:
— Yes, please.
— What happened? Victor asked as she climbed into the car.
— It’s not important, she replied reluctantly.
— Alright then, at least tell me where you’re headed and your name.
— I’m Anastasia, she introduced herself, and Victor noticed the bloodstains on her fingers.
— My God, you have a head injury! Let me take you to the hospital, he said, concerned.
— No, no, it’s fine, thank you. I don’t have a passport or insurance, she sighed.
— Don’t worry, a good acquaintance of mine works at our local hospital. I’ll let her know, and she’ll take care of you. You need to treat your injuries anyway.
The young woman looked at him again, and he quickly reassured her:
— I promise, Marina is a gentle person. She’ll just give you the first aid you need.
— Alright, Anastasia agreed, then asked: — Is the hospital far? I have a terrible headache and feel dizzy.
— No, we’ll be there in ten minutes, Victor reassured her. — By the way, my name is Victor, he added with a smile.
— Nice to meet you, she replied.
— Maybe you could tell me what happened? I’ll help however I can.
— It’s not necessary, thank you, everything will be fine. Don’t worry, said Nastia. Soon, they arrived at the municipal hospital, and Victor, with Anastasia in tow, made his way toward the internal medicine department.
A minute later, a tall woman in a white coat came out to meet them.
— Hello, she said a bit awkwardly. — What brings you here?
— Hello, Marina. I picked up this young woman on the road. She won’t say what happened, but it seems she needs help.
— I hope this doesn’t require hospitalization, Marina replied, inviting the young woman to follow her.
Anastasia gave Victor a grateful glance before saying her goodbyes:
— I’ll head back alone, I’ll call a taxi. Thank you, you’re very kind.
Victor nodded:
— Get well soon, Nastia.
Marina held Anastasia back at the door:
— I’m glad to see you, Vitya. How are you?
— I’m alright, Mariš, slowly, he replied.
— And Sasha, how’s he doing?
— All good, he’s always on the move, she said.
— Alright, but please pass my regards to him.
Victor extended his hand, almost reaching for Marina’s shoulder, but at the last moment, he withdrew and quickly walked away.
Marina had been his first and, it turned out, his only love. A silly argument had torn them apart, and Victor had left town, thinking it was forever. When he returned three years later, Marina was already married to his friend and raising a son.
Over the years, Victor tried to forget her in the arms of other women, but it never worked. He never remarried, lived alone, and threw himself into his work. Marina too couldn’t forget him, but the feelings that once burned fiercely were now only a small ember in the back of her heart. Their town was small, and they would occasionally run into each other in a store or on the street, simply nodding silently.
For the first time in many years, Victor started a conversation with her. Marina watched him walk away, then entered her office, where a young woman was waiting.
— Well, let’s examine you, and you can tell me how you got hurt, she said.
— Of course, Anastasia replied.
— I’m not going to intrude into your life or give you lessons, but falls come in different forms, and the injuries from them too.
— We had an accident, Nastia said, and sensing Marina’s empathy, she began to tell her story.
— I work in a shop that sells elegant men’s clothing, and I live in a neighboring town. One day, a very handsome man came in. I helped him pick out a suit, and later, he was waiting outside with a bouquet of flowers, Nastia began her story.
— Did he fall in love with you? Marina asked.
— Yes, but he’s married and has a child, the young woman nodded. — But for me, it doesn’t matter. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep him near me.
— And the accident? Marina asked.
— Honestly, it’s my fault. I distracted him while he was driving. He lost control, and we crashed into a tree. He told me to leave, or the police would come, Nastia admitted.
Marina nodded and called the nurse:
— Katia, take this young woman for an X-ray, I’ve made a note of everything.
As Katia and Nastia left, Marina’s phone rang. It was her husband, Sasha.
— Yes, darling, she answered.
Sasha said he had had an accident but was okay…
Meanwhile, Victor was preparing a simple dinner when someone knocked on the door. Standing at the threshold was Marina.
— I have no one else to turn to, she said. — I’m not going back home.
After Marina finished her story, Victor shook his head:
— This can’t be happening… So, he’s with this Nastia, and she’s pregnant with his child?
— Yes, if you’d seen their faces when they met in my office, she added.
After her divorce from Sasha, Marina married Victor. Together, they moved to the regional capital, where Victor bought an apartment for their new family. For the first time in many years, Marina felt truly happy.
Victor managed to bond with her son, and they spent time together often.
One day, at the hospital where Marina worked, Alexandre arrived with a bouquet of flowers. He hoped she would forgive him and return to him. — Does a divorced woman with a child really stand a chance? he thought.
But Marina wasn’t at work. Sasha had learned she had moved to another city.
Months passed, and fate brought Victor, Marina, and Sasha together again. One day, as Victor went to pick up Marina from work, they crossed paths with Sasha at the entrance to the hospital. Sasha looked taken aback, and Victor felt a palpable tension in the air.
— Hello, Vitya, Sasha said, trying to mask his discomfort.
— Hello, Victor replied, but there was a note of suspicion in his voice.
Sensing the awkwardness, Marina decided to ease the situation.
— Sasha, how are you? she asked gently.
— I’m fine, he replied, and their eyes met. At that moment, they both understood that there was much left unsaid.
Gathering his thoughts, Sasha said:
— I’m really sorry for how everything happened. I realize I’ve lost a lot, and it’s important for you to know: I regret not appreciating you when you were with me.
Marina nodded, and tears welled up in her eyes.
— I can’t forget the past either. But now, I have a different path, she said softly, glancing at Victor.
Sasha noticed her hand resting on Victor’s shoulder, and his heart clenched with pain.
— I hope you’ll be happy, he said, realizing that their paths would never cross the same way again.
— Thank you, Marina said, and it was a forgiveness they both needed.
Sasha turned and left, leaving Victor and Marina in a silence full of shared memories and hope for the future.
Victor held Marina close and said:
— We’re starting a new chapter, and I want you to know—I’ll always be here for you.
She smiled, knowing she finally had support, and together, they would face all challenges ahead.
And so, their new life began, full of hope, love, and possibilities. They each learned to forgive and move forward, leaving the past behind.