Tania learned about her husband’s infidelity quite by accident.
As is often the case, wives are the last to find out about their husbands’ unfaithfulness. Only later did she understand the significance of all those strange looks from colleagues and whispers behind her back. It was no secret to anyone in the workplace that Tania’s best friend Eve had started an affair with Slava. Tania had no inkling.
She found out everything on that evening when she unexpectedly returned home. Tania had been working as a doctor in a hospital for several years. That day, she was supposed to work the night shift. But at the end of the working day, a young colleague, Lena, approached her with a request:
– Tania, could you swap shifts with me? I’ll work tonight, and you can take my shift on Saturday if you have no other plans. My sister is getting married, and the wedding is on Saturday.
Tania agreed. Lena was a pleasant, helpful girl, and a wedding was a valid reason.
Returning home late that evening in good spirits, Tania planned to surprise her husband. But a surprise awaited her. As soon as she entered the house, she heard voices coming from the bedroom. One voice belonged to Slava, and the other… She recognized it too, though she hadn’t expected to hear it at such a time and in such a situation.
It was the voice of her best friend, Eve. What Tania heard left no doubt about the nature of their relationship.
Tania left the apartment as quietly as she had entered it. She spent the night at the hospital with no sleep. How would she face her colleagues now? Everyone knew everything, and she had been blinded by her love for Slava, trusting him implicitly. Her husband was the meaning of her life. She was willing to do so much for him. She had given up her dream of having a child. Every time she brought it up with Slava, he said he wasn’t ready yet, that they should wait and enjoy life. Now Tania understood that Slava didn’t want children because he wasn’t serious about their family.
In that sleepless night, Tania made a decision that seemed the only right one. In the morning, she wrote a letter requesting time off, with a view to resigning afterward. Then she went home, packed her things while her husband was at work, and headed to the train station. She had inherited a small cottage from her grandmother in the countryside. She believed reasonably that her husband wouldn’t look for her in such a remote place.
At the train station, she bought a new SIM card and discarded her old one. Tania severed all ties with her past life and boldly stepped into a new one.
Within a day, she arrived at a familiar station. The last time she was here was almost ten years ago for her grandmother’s funeral. Everything looked the same as it did back then – quiet and scarcely populated. “Just what I need right now,” thought Tania.
She hitchhiked to the village and then walked another twenty minutes to her grandma’s house. The garden had become overgrown with bushes over the years, so much so that Tania struggled to reach the front door.
It took her a few weeks to bring the house and garden back to order. She would not have managed on her own. But the neighbors were a great help. They all remembered Tania’s grandmother, Mrs. Mary, who had taught at the local school for over 40 years. Many generations of village boys and girls learned to read and write from her. Now many wanted to help Tania in memory of their beloved teacher.
Tania hadn’t expected such a warm welcome. She was extremely grateful to everyone who helped her clean up and repair the house and settle into her new place.
Word spread quickly around the village that Tania was a doctor. One day, her nearest neighbor, Anne, came over in a state of great agitation.
– Tania, I’m sorry I can’t help you today. My little one’s unwell. She must have eaten something bad because she’s been clutching her stomach since morning.
– Let me take a look at your daughter, – offered Tania. She grabbed her medical bag and followed Anne.
Little Valerie was suffering from food poisoning. Tania helped the child by administering an IV and explaining to Anne how to care for her.
– Thank you, Tania, – Anne couldn’t thank her enough. – You’re a doctor. Our nearest hospital is 60 miles away. We had a local paramedic, but they left a year ago, and we haven’t gotten a new one.
Since then, the villagers began seeking Tania’s help. She couldn’t refuse, for they had welcomed and helped her so warmly.
When the news of a doctor reached the authorities, they invited Tania to work at the district clinic.
– No, I won’t go to the district, – Tania stated firmly. – But if you entrust me with the medical point in our village, I’d gladly take it on.
The authorities were baffled – a city doctor with such experience wanting to work at a rural medical point. But Tania didn’t waver from her decision. Eventually, the village’s outpatient clinic reopened, and Tania started taking patients.
One evening, someone knocked at her door. It was already late. But Tania wasn’t surprised at the late visit – people fell sick not only during the day.
She opened the door to a stranger. Judging by his appearance, Tania immediately understood that something was wrong.
– Tania, – the visitor addressed her. – I came from Oakwood, about 15 miles from here. My daughter is very ill. At first, I thought it was the flu. But her fever hasn’t dropped for three days. Please, come with me, help my daughter.
Tania quickly began to gather her things, all the while questioning the man about the girl’s symptoms.
When they arrived at his home, Tania saw a small, very pale girl in bed. The sick child was breathing heavily. Her lips were cracked, her hair tangled, and her eyelids fluttered slightly in rhythm with her breathing.
After examining, the doctor said:
– The situation is serious. She needs to be taken to the hospital.
The man shook his head in denial.
– We live just her and I. Her mother passed away shortly after she was born. This child is all I have. I can’t lose her.
– But the hospital can help your daughter faster. I can’t do anything. She needs medication that I don’t have.
– Tell me what medicine is required, and I’ll get it. Just don’t take her to the hospital; I beg you. There’s a 24-hour pharmacy in the county; I can quickly bring whatever is needed. It’s just… I have no one to leave my daughter with.
Tania saw how scared and anxious the father was. It was only now that she noticed him properly. He seemed to be about her age, tall, slender, and with a beautiful head of chestnut hair. The man’s eyes were a deep-green shade, and his long lashes would make any girl envious.
– I will stay with her, – Tania said. – What’s her name?
– Annie, – the father said tenderly, looking at his daughter. – I’m Robert. Thank you, doctor.
Tania wrote a prescription, and Robert set off to the pharmacy.
Annie’s temperature didn’t drop; she tossed and turned in her sleep, crying and calling for her dad. Tania picked the girl up, gently singing a lullaby while walking around the room until Annie calmed down.
A few hours later, Robert returned with the medicine. Tania gave the girl an injection and said in an exhausted voice:
– Now, we wait.
Robert and Tania spent the entire night by Annie’s bedside. By morning, her temperature began to drop, and a sheen of sweat appeared on her forehead.
– That’s a good sign, – Tania noted. She was exhausted but satisfied with having turned the illness around.
– Thank you, doctor, – Robert kept repeating.
A year passed. Tania continued to work in the village clinic, treating her neighbors and residents of nearby villages. But now she lived not in the old cottage but in the beautiful spacious home of Robert. They had married six months after that dreadful night when Annie’s life had hung by a thread.
They had to fight the child’s ailment for several more weeks. Annie recovered and grew deeply attached to Tania. And Tania loved Annie with all her heart. But every time she embraced the girl, she thought about the chance she missed to become a mother.
Evenings found Tania tired but happy, returning home, where two dearest people waited for her with love.
Today Robert met her at the doorstep, hugged her, and asked:
– So, did they approve your leave? I’ve planned our trip, and the three of us will go on an adventure.
Tania smiled mysteriously and replied:
– They approved it, but it won’t be the three of us; it’ll be the four of us.
Robert looked puzzled for a moment and then grabbed her, twirling around the yard.
