Vera stared at Alexey with disbelief, struggling to grasp the weight of his words.
“Lyosha, how can you not see that you are making a terrible mistake?” she implored.
Alexey made a dismissive gesture, impatience evident in his expression.
“Let’s skip all the melodrama. I am simply exhausted by your endless dissatisfaction. It’s the same story every single day. Milana represents a breath of fresh air for me. As for you? I suppose I was far too lenient, giving you time to pack your things and find a new place to live. You realize you have no claim to demand anything, don’t you? You’ve never held a job, so you’re not entitled to my money.”
Vera reminded him, “But you were the one who forbade me from working. You claimed that for a wife of your stature, holding a job was an unaffordable luxury.”
“True, I said that when you were still my wife. But Milana will now take your place, which means you’ll have the opportunity to support yourself.”
These agonizing exchanges echoed in Vera’s mind as she stood beside a newly dug grave in the cemetery. Alexey’s happiness with his new partner lasted a mere three years. She knew the final year of their marriage had been filled with agony. Alexey’s ailment raised numerous doubts.
- He harbored suspicions that Milana was poisoning his food or drinks.
- He undertook a secret inquiry, confiding in Vera, yet never completed it.
- Shortly before passing, he came to Vera apologizing, revealing his torment and frailty.
At the graveside, Vera shifted her gaze toward the elegantly dressed Milana, her face masked in dark veils and accompanied by a young man. Murmurs of condemnation regarding Milana’s coldness permeated the mourners.
Determined to uncover the truth, Vera resolved to continue the investigation. Though Alexey had betrayed her, her love endured. Despite his reprehensible actions, he did not deserve such a grim fate.
Sighing deeply, Vera turned to leave when Milana’s voice halted her.
“Keep in mind, you will inherit nothing from my husband,” Milana declared icily, her face twisted with unfounded malice. The two faced one another silently, as adversaries on the brink of battle. Then Vera walked away, hearing Milana hiss behind her: “Don’t even think about trying to claim anything!”
Although Alexey was being treated at a clinic chosen by Milana, Vera knew this concealed part of a larger story. There was a covert surveillance unknown to nearly everyone. Alexey appeared fearful of this secrecy being unveiled.
“Hello? Vera Nikolaevna, you must attend the will reading,” the call instructed.
“A will?” Vera smiled bitterly. “Could it be my ex-husband still left something for me?”
“Sorry, Vera Nikolaevna, but the specifics cannot be revealed over the phone. Could you come in?”
“Certainly,” she replied with a smirk, more interested in watching Milana’s reaction than in any inheritance.
Milana arrived in high spirits, accompanied by the same smug young man who exchanged looks with Vera.
As expected, all property—including real estate—was bequeathed to Milana. Yet the notary disclosed a surprising postscript: a house situated in a remote village nearly a hundred kilometers from the city.
Milana erupted in laughter,
“An old wife gets old junk! But don’t worry, Verochka, I won’t snatch this shack from you. After all, you’re a tenant without a home. Now you have your own ‘apartment’!”
Vera remained silent, accepted the documents, and departed, contemplating the mysterious beginning of a new journey as she examined the address.
With a free weekend day, she set off immediately toward the village, puzzled why Alexey owned a property in such an isolated, forgotten place.
The drive took nearly three hours, and after twice taking wrong routes, frustration mounted:
“How can road signage be this poor? No signs, no clear turns.”
Eventually, she found the correct sign and exclaimed,
“Finally!”
The village presented a strange contrast: just kilometers back, civilization was visible; here, old wooden homes stood, many long abandoned. Wilted grass and tire tracks hinted at occasional visitors. The house lay at the village’s extreme end.
Vera sighed. Instead of a proper road, a path overgrown with grass and depressions marked the arrival. Her car bounced over tree roots and uneven ground as she carefully approached.
Pausing before the house, she stayed inside her car a moment, taking in the surroundings. Despite appearing deserted at first glance, the matted grass near the porch suggested recent visits.
“Did Lyosha leave me a house with tenants?” she wondered aloud.
Turning the engine off, Vera stepped out decisively, opening the creaking gate. Surprised by the noise, she flinched slightly before climbing the porch. To her astonishment, the door was unlocked.
Smiling wryly, she thought, “Of course, this is the countryside,” and entered.
Her assumption that locals might sneak in and remove valuables seemed reasonable, yet the familiar smell of fresh coffee enveloped her as she crossed the threshold, a stark contradiction for an apparently abandoned house.
The room was clean and inviting, a laptop rested on the table, signaling someone lived here.
“Don’t be afraid,” a familiar voice called out.
Vera whirled around, but the world faded to darkness.
Suddenly, she was awakened by Alexey’s voice.
“Vera, wake up! Sorry for the scare, but I had no choice.”
She struggled to open her eyes and saw Alexey sitting nearby, warmth and life restored compared to their previous encounter.
“Lyosha… did I die?” she whispered.
He offered a gentle smile:
“No, no one died.”
Bewildered, Vera asked, “Then whose funeral did we attend?”
Alexey shrugged:
“A mannequin—an expensive, high-quality one.”
Trying to grasp what was happening, Vera listened as Alexey recounted the truth. She had suspected much already. Milana’s lover had returned from India after acquiring a slow-acting poison, administered by the doctor Milana had chosen.
Initially unsuspecting, Alexey only grew suspicious after much of his property was transferred to Milana.
“I had to act to prevent it,” he explained. “I conferred with Mishka, from the Vasilevsky clinic. We decided I had to ‘die.’ There was risk Milana might accelerate the poison’s effect with a final dose. But the plan succeeded. Only minor details remain. I know I hurt you deeply, but you’re the only one who can help.”
They conversed well into the night. Vera agreed instantly—how could she refuse after meeting her apparently living husband, whom she mourned nightly?
That night, they reunited lovingly. Alexey quietly nestled in her hair, murmuring only,
“Forgive me.”
The next morning, as Alexey prepared to leave, Vera grasped his hand and quietly responded,
“I forgive you.”
At the notary’s office, Milana’s anger was evident.
“What new will? This is nonsense! Everything has long belonged to me!” she shouted.
Vera calmly stated, “There is reason to believe something was added to Alexey’s drinks. Otherwise, why would he transfer property previously gifted to others to you?”
Outraged, Milana accused,
“What do you mean by ‘added something’? It’s mine and I plan to sell it tomorrow!”
The notary interrupted,
“I’m sorry, but the sale must be suspended. The situation requires a complete investigation, and all documents are temporarily frozen.”
Milana shot Vera a venomous glare.
“You will pay dearly for this—and soon!” she hissed, grabbing her lover’s hand. “Shall we talk?”
“Of course,” Vera replied coolly.
With a sneer, Milana confessed, “Do you think I will give you anything? You’re mistaken. I poured much into Alexey. You will end up where he is now.”
Vera smirked, “Planning to poison me slowly, like him?”
Milana met her gaze and said,
“You’re sharper than I thought. Yes, I slowly poisoned Alexey to secure his assets. But with you, it will be different. The sooner you vanish, the better. In India, there are poisons that act instantly without leaving a trace. Our doctors will never detect them.”
Her laugh was cut short as Alexey appeared, striking down Milana’s lover when he approached Vera. Milana screamed, attempting to flee, but uniformed officers quickly apprehended her.
Trembling with emotion, Vera felt Alexey take her hand gently.
“Thank you. But one matter remains unfinished,” he said quietly.
Returning to the notary, Alexey calmly reassigned half his property to Vera and stated,
“Forgive me. It’s the least I could do. Perhaps I’ll live in the village now—I don’t wish to be near you.”
Alone in her apartment, Vera wandered aimlessly. Though she had much—Alexey alive, wealth, independence—a hollow emptiness lingered. The realization struck suddenly: she still needed Lyosha. Despite pain, her love persisted.
Rushing out, she drove toward the village. As night fell, lights flickered in houses. Stopping on a hill, she inhaled deeply, eyes fixed on the soft glow within Alexey’s home.
“Perfect. Everything’s unfolding just as it should,” she whispered.
Minutes later, she parked, cut the engine, and rose slowly, movements automatic yet hesitant. Doubts surfaced briefly:
“What if he no longer desires me? What if his feelings changed?”
She dismissed those thoughts, certain clarity awaited. Opening the gate, Alexey descended the porch to greet her, eyes searching her face.
“Are you sure? I caused you immense pain—such wounds don’t heal easily,” he said solemnly.
“You’re right, forgiveness is difficult,” Vera answered, “but I’m willing to try. We owe ourselves this chance.”
Pulling her into a tight embrace, Alexey sighed softly,
“I needed to endure all this to realize how deeply I love you. I cannot live without you. If you find forgiveness within, I vow never to hurt you again.”
Meeting his gaze steadily, Vera said,
“Let’s try to forget the past. We’re young—only forty. A new chapter awaits us.”
Three months later, a trial commenced against Milana and her accomplice. Vera was unable to attend due to a sudden illness. Alexey appeared agitated and rushed home as the verdict was read. Vera welcomed him with a radiant smile.
“How are you feeling?” he asked.
“Not just ‘I,’ but ‘we,’” she replied enigmatically.
“‘We’? What do you mean? Is someone here?”
“Not yet, but in seven months, most definitely.”
Alexey stared in astonishment. “Is it true? You’re not joking?”
“No, it’s the absolute truth,” she said.
In disbelief and joy, Alexey lifted her into his arms and spun her, declaring,
“Every day with you grows more wonderful. I thought happiness had peaked, but life with you overflows with endless joy.”
Conclusion:
This tale of betrayal, resilience, and rediscovered love reveals how unforeseen legacies and courageous decisions can transform lives. Vera and Alexey’s journey, filled with hardship and hope, reminds us that even amid deceit and pain, forgiveness and new beginnings remain possible. Their story embodies the enduring power of love and the strength to reclaim one’s destiny.