Three years had passed since her husband’s death, and Irina had lived only for her daughter Masha, who had become her whole world. Every morning, it was Masha’s smile that gave Irina the strength to get out of bed. But deep inside, there was still an emptiness that nothing could fill.
Yes, Masha’s bright smile was a comfort, but it couldn’t drown out the silence left by Oleg. He had been everything to Irina, and living without him was incredibly hard.
And then, as if out of nowhere, Alexey entered their lives.
He had a warm, reassuring smile, and there was something about him that made Irina feel safe—as though everything might be okay again. He was kind, patient, and, most importantly, he genuinely loved Masha.
The house was filled with laughter again. For the first time in a long time, Irina dared to believe that happiness after loss was possible.
Often, as she looked out the window, she imagined what Oleg would say if he saw her now: “We spent years of love together, Irina. You have the right to move on. For yourself. For Masha.” This thought gave her the strength to open her heart to Alexey.
Their relationship blossomed. Two months ago, they got married on a cozy farm by a duck pond. Irina truly believed she had finally started to build a new family—for herself and for Masha.
But just when she thought everything was falling into place, fate threw another challenge her way.
One evening, as she was tucking Masha into bed, Irina noticed how her daughter was clutching her stuffed bunny, looking troubled. Something was clearly bothering her.
“Mom,” Masha quietly called.
“Yes, sweetheart?” Irina gently brushed a strand of hair from her face.
Masha sighed deeply.
“New daddy asked me to keep a secret from you. Is that okay?”
The words hit Irina like a thunderclap. She felt something tighten inside.
“You know you can call him just ‘daddy,’” she said cautiously, trying to collect her thoughts.
Masha pouted a little.
“I like calling him ‘new daddy.’ But… secrets are bad, right?”
“Yes, darling,” Irina replied calmly but firmly. “You can always tell me everything. What happened?”
Masha shifted uncomfortably, clearly distressed.
“Well… yesterday, when you were at work, I woke up early and went to look for him. He promised to play video games with me, but I couldn’t find him.”
Irina felt chills run down her spine.
“What do you mean—he wasn’t there? He wasn’t home?”
“I called for him, but he didn’t answer. And then… I saw him with some lady in a red dress, coming out of the basement. He told me not to tell you.”
Irina felt the ground slip from under her.
“What were they doing in the basement?”
“I don’t know,” Masha lowered her voice. “But she had long blonde hair, and she smelled really nice. She was a very pretty lady…”
They barely used the basement—it was dusty and unfinished. Why was Alexey bringing a woman down there?
Later, when Masha had fallen asleep, Irina decided not to wait any longer.
Alexey was sitting on the couch, phone in hand. Irina crossed her arms and asked:
“Masha said she saw you yesterday with a woman in a red dress. In the basement. Can you explain?”
For a split second, something flickered in Alexey’s eyes… Guilt? Panic? But he quickly regained his composure and laughed:
“Oh, that? Yeah, she’s an interior designer. I wanted to surprise you by redecorating the basement.”
“An interior designer?” Irina asked skeptically.
“Yeah!” He brightened. “Imagine: a projector, a mini-fridge, a popcorn machine. A real family hangout area!”
To her surprise, Alexey took her to the basement. The lights came on—and everything looked different: fresh paint, furniture, soft lighting. It looked nice. But something inside Irina told her—it wasn’t all.
That night, as Alexey slept peacefully beside her, Irina couldn’t settle. Her intuition screamed, “Check.” She began scrolling through his social media, not sure what she was looking for… until she found a photo from two years ago. Before they met.
In the photo, Alexey was standing with a woman with long blonde hair. In a red dress. The same one Masha had described.
The next morning, she showed the photo to Masha.
“That’s her, Mommy!” Masha exclaimed.
There was no doubt now: Alexey had lied.
When he went to work, Irina installed cameras in the basement and the living room. She told him she was going on a business trip and left Masha with her grandmother. That evening, she watched the live feed, her heart pounding.
At first, nothing. Alexey was acting normally. But the next day, the motion sensor triggered.
Irina turned on the camera. In the frame—Alexey and the same woman. They were kissing.
The lie was exposed.
Emotions running high, Irina rushed home. She arrived just as Alexey was escorting the woman to her car. Seeing his wife, he turned pale.
“So this is your ‘interior designer’?” Irina’s voice trembled, but there was steel in it. “Do you always kiss your clients goodbye?”
Alexey stammered, but the woman interrupted:
“Finally. Enough pretending, Alexey.”
Irina didn’t hesitate.
“You both—out. Now.”
It turned out, the woman had been with Alexey all along. He had started the relationship with Irina for stability and money. It was all a lie.
The next day, Irina packed his things and took them to the construction site where he worked. She no longer wanted anything to do with him.
Taking Masha from her grandmother, she said:
“Sweetheart, Alexey isn’t coming back.”
“Good riddance,” Masha snorted. “I never liked him.”
Irina realized: she didn’t need anyone to be happy. She had Masha. And that meant she had love, strength, and the courage to move on.
Sometimes, to make room for something real in life, you have to clear away the false.
And with Masha by her side, Irina knew: ahead of them was only light.