“Surely you’re joking?” Tatjana exclaimed, her eyes wide with disbelief as she looked at Ivan Petrovich.
He shook his head firmly. “I’m serious. But I’ll give you some time to think it over because this is not an ordinary proposal. I have a feeling I know what you’re thinking right now. Take time, weigh your options carefully—I’ll return in a week.”
Confused, Tatjana gazed at him, unable to comprehend the weight of his words.
She had known Ivan Petrovich for three years. He owned a network of gas stations and several other businesses. Tatjana worked as a cleaner at one of these stations, always greeting the staff warmly and engaging amicably. Overall, she regarded him as a kind man.
The salary at the gas station was reasonable, making the job desirable. Approximately two months earlier, after finishing her shift and while sitting outside with some spare time left, Ivan Petrovich suddenly appeared through the service entrance.
“May I sit here?” he asked.
Startled, Tatjana stood up. “Of course. Why do you ask?”
Chuckling, he replied, “And why did you jump up? Sit down, I won’t bite. It’s a lovely day today.”
He smiled and took his seat again.
“Yes, spring does seem to bring nice weather.”
“That’s because everyone’s weary of winter,” Ivan commented.
“You might be right.”
“I’ve always wanted to ask—why do you work as a cleaner? Larisa offered to promote you to operator. Higher salary, less strenuous work.”
“I would gladly switch, but the schedule doesn’t allow it. My daughter is little and often unwell. Fortunately, the neighbor looks after her unless she’s worse, then I have to be there. Larisa and I alternate when necessary. We always help each other.”
“I see… And your daughter?”
“Please don’t ask… Even doctors don’t fully understand. She experiences attacks with breathing difficulties and panic. The tests are extensive and costly. They say it might improve with age, but I don’t have time to wait.”
“Stay strong. Things will get better.”
Tatjana thanked him. That evening, she discovered Ivan had left a reward for her without explanation.
Since then, she hadn’t seen him—until today, when he showed up at her home.
Her heart almost stopped when she saw him. Hearing his proposal made it even harder to breathe.
Ivan Petrovich had a son, Stas, almost thirty years old, who had spent seven years in a wheelchair after an accident. Despite doctors’ best efforts, he never regained the ability to walk. Depression and social withdrawal had taken hold; he barely communicated, even with his father.
Faced with this, Ivan had a plan: his son needed to marry—not just for appearances, but to regain purpose, zest for life, and fighting spirit.
Though uncertain of success, he wished to try. He believed Tatjana was the ideal candidate for this role.
“Tatjana, he will live under your complete care. You will have everything you need. Your daughter will receive all necessary examinations and treatments. I offer you a one-year contract. After that year, you’re free to leave. If Stas recovers, that’s wonderful. If not, you will be generously compensated.”
Tatjana could not respond immediately, overwhelmed by shock.
Reading her thoughts, Ivan whispered softly, “Please, Tatjana, help us. This benefits both of you. I’m not even certain my son will touch you. But your life will be easier—you’ll have a respected position, officially married.”
“Imagine you married not for love, but because life circumstances demanded it. Just don’t tell anyone about this conversation.”
“Wait, Ivan Petrovich… What about Stas? Has he agreed?”
He smiled sadly. “He said he doesn’t mind. I’ll tell him I have business or health problems. He’s always trusted me. So it’s a well-meaning deception.”
Ivan left, and Tatjana sat motionless for a long time. Her emotions roared inside, though his sincere words softened the edge of the proposal.
Thinking it over, why not agree—for Sonya’s sake?
After all, he was also a father who loved his son deeply.
Before her shift ended, a call came through:
- “Tatjanuska, hurry! Sonya is having a severe attack!”
- “I’m coming! Call an ambulance!”
She arrived just as the ambulance reached her gate.
“Where were you, Mom?” the doctor asked sternly.
“Working…”
The attack was intense.
“Should we admit her to the hospital?” Tatjana cautiously asked.
The tired doctor shook his head. “No use. They can’t help there—it would only stress her. They really should go to the capital, to a reputable clinic with specialists.”
Forty minutes later, the medical team had left.
Tatjana grabbed the phone and called Ivan Petrovich:
“I agree. Sonya’s seizure was severe.”
The next day, they departed.
Ivan himself accompanied them, accompanied by a young man with a clean-shaven face.
“Tatjana, only bring what’s absolutely necessary. We’ll purchase the rest.”
She nodded.
Sonya eagerly looked at the shiny, spacious car.
Ivan sat next to her:
“Do you like it?”
“Very much!”
“Would you like to sit in the front and see everything?”
“Really? I’d love that!”
She glanced at her mother.
“The police will notice and fine us,” Tatjana warned strictly.
Ivan laughed and opened the door:
“Come on, Sonya! If anyone tries, we’ll fine ourselves!”
Approaching the mansion, Tatjana’s anxiety grew:
“God, why did I agree? What if he’s strange or aggressive?”
Ivan noticed her unease:
“Relax, Tatjana. The wedding is still a week away. You can change your mind anytime. Stas is a good, smart boy, but something’s happened to him. You’ll see soon enough.”
Tatjana stepped out, helped her daughter, and froze when she gazed upon the estate—not just a house but a real castle.
Overjoyed, Sonya exclaimed, “Mom, it feels like we’re living in a fairy tale!”
Ivan smiled, lifting Sonya in his arms:
“Do you like it?”
“I love it!”
Before the wedding, Tatjana and Stas met only a few times during dinners.
The young man ate and spoke little, sitting as if physically present but mentally distant.
Tatjana cautiously observed him, sensing they both harbored pain. She appreciated that no one mentioned the impending marriage.
On the wedding day, Tatjana felt surrounded by about a hundred people rushing around. Her dress had just been delivered days before.
Upon seeing it, she slumped into a chair:
“How much did this cost?”
Ivan smiled, “Tatjana, you’re too sensitive. It’s better if you don’t know. Look what else I have.”
He pulled out a miniature version of the wedding gown.
“Sonya, want to try it on?”
The little girl squealed, covering her ears, then proudly walked around the room glowing with happiness.
For a moment, Tatjana glanced back and caught sight of Stas standing by the door, looking at Sonya with a shadow of a smile in his eyes.
Now, Sonya lived in a room next to their bedroom, which Tatjana had never imagined would be her place.
Ivan offered to take them to a countryside house, but Stas shook his head:
“Thank you, Dad. We’re staying home.”
Their bed was enormous. Stas maintained distance, showing no intent to come closer.
Tatjana, who wanted to stay awake all night, unexpectedly fell asleep quickly.
A week passed. In the evening, they began talking. Stas revealed himself to be intelligent, witty, and interested in books and science.
He made no attempt to get closer, and Tatjana gradually grew more comfortable.
One night, she suddenly awoke, heart pounding:
“Something happened…”
She rushed into her daughter’s room, where her fears were confirmed—Sonya was having another seizure.
“Stas, help! Call an ambulance!”
Seconds later, he was at the door, quickly grabbing his phone. Sleepy Ivan Petrovich burst in:
“I’ll call Alexei.”
The ambulance arrived fast, staffed with unfamiliar, meticulously dressed doctors equipped with modern tools. Then the family doctor came.
After a long consultation and with the attack subsided, Tatjana sat beside her daughter. Stas held Sonya’s hand.
“Tatjana,” he quietly inquired, “has this been since her birth?”
“Yes… We’ve visited hospitals so often, tested so much, but no answers. That’s why my ex told me not to bother him.”
“Did you love him?”
“Maybe. It was so long ago…”
“So you accepted your husband’s proposal?”
Tatjana raised her eyebrows in surprise.
Stas smiled, “Dad thinks I don’t know anything. But I always read him like an open book. I feared who he’d find for me. When he saw you, he was surprised. You’re completely different from those who marry for money. Now, it all seems to have fallen into place.
He looked at her:
“Tatjana, don’t cry. We will surely cure Sonya. She’s a capable girl. She never broke, unlike me.”
“And why did you break? You’re smart, kind, and handsome…”
Stas smiled and said, “Be honest: would you have married me if everything were different?”
Tatjana paused, then nodded slowly:
“Yes. I think it would have been easier to love you than many who run away pretending to be heroes. But it’s not just that. I can’t quite explain it.”
Stas grinned:
“No need. For some reason, I trust you.”
A few days later, Tatjana discovered Stas engaged in unusual activity. He was assembling a complex device and trying to use it.
“This is a trainer,” he explained. “After the accident, I had to practice for three hours daily. But I decided it didn’t matter anymore. Now… I’m ashamed. Before Sonya. Before you.”
There was a knock at the door. Ivan Petrovich’s head appeared in the doorway:
“May I come in?”
“Come, Dad.”
He froze upon seeing his son’s actions, swallowed hard, then looked at Tatjana:
“Tell me… was your labor difficult?”
“Yes. Why?”
“The doctor said Sonya was probably pulled out quickly, injuring her temporal bone. Externally, everything looks fine, but the nerve is compressed internally.”
Tatjana sat down, tears rolling down:
“It can’t be… What do we do now?”
Ivan Petrovich urged calm:
“Don’t cry. The doctor said it’s not fatal. Surgery is needed to remove the obstruction, and Sonya will be healthy.”
“But the head… It’s dangerous…”
Stas reached out, holding her hand:
“Tatjana, listen to Dad. Sonya can live without seizures.”
“And how much will it cost?”
Ivan looked surprised:
“That question won’t trouble you anymore. You’re family now.”
Tatjana stayed with her daughter in the hospital. The surgery was successful, and they returned home two weeks later.
But Tatjana no longer knew where her true home was.
Stas called her daily. They spoke at length about Sonya, themselves, and trivial matters, as if they had known each other all their lives.
Time passed. The one-year contract neared its end. Tatjana avoided pondering what would come next.
One evening they returned home. Ivan Petrovich arrived, his mood heavy and tense.
“Has something happened?” Tatjana asked.
“I don’t know how to say this. Stas has been drinking for two days.”
“What? He doesn’t drink at all!”
“That’s exactly what I thought. He practiced for a month, made progress, then got nervous. Says nothing’s working.”
Tatjana entered the room to find Stas sitting in the dark. She turned on the light and began clearing bottles from the table.
“Where are you taking this?”
“You won’t drink anymore.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m your wife. I don’t like it when you drink.”
Stas looked embarrassed.
“This won’t last long… Sonya is healthy now. You have no reason to stay with a disabled person.”
Tatjana stood up:
“Did you mean ‘an idiot’? Stas, I thought you were strong and smart enough to cope. Was I really wrong?”
He lowered his head:
“Forgive me… It seems I failed.”
“Now I’m home. Maybe we should try again?”
The year ended. Ivan was nervous: Stas was barely walking with a frame. Doctors predicted he would soon walk independently and perhaps even run.
Tatjana realized it was time to move on.
“Should we offer money?” her husband inquired cautiously.
At dinner, Tatjana, Sonya, and Stas appeared—the latter in a wheelchair.
“Dad, we have news,” Tatjana said.
Ivan tensed, looking at Tatjana:
“You’re leaving, right?”
Tatjana and Stas exchanged looks. He shook his head:
“Not exactly.”
“Don’t torture me!”
“You’re about to be a grandfather. Sonya will have a sibling.”
Ivan fell silent, then suddenly embraced them tightly, tears streaming. He cried as though fearing it was all a dream—tears of happiness, relief, and the feeling that his family was finally whole.
Key Insight: Sometimes, unexpected decisions rooted in desperation can lead to profound healing and the formation of a true family bond.
In the end, Tatjana’s reluctant agreement opened the door to hope, love, and renewal for all involved – a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of hardship.