The Unexpected Reunion of a Doctor and Her Lost Husband in the Operating Room
“Mom, are you leaving for the night shift again?” Katya asked, glancing up at her mother.
“Yes, my dear. But you and Yura must behave, alright?” Marina gently stroked her daughter’s hand.
“Of course, we’ll be good. But you never seem to get any rest,” Katya persisted. “Can’t you at least take a break sometimes?”
Marina smiled softly. “Don’t worry. I work hard so you can attend your prom as the most beautiful girl.”
Katya sighed deeply.
“I just wish you were home more often.”
“I will be, Katya. Once we pay off this loan, everything will change. Only a year left.”
Marina paused, reflecting on the past five years. Life once seemed steady: married, raising children. Her husband had embarked on a business venture, which she supported, even taking out a loan in her name. Then the unexpected happened — he left, claiming to be in love with someone else. He promised to cover the loan so she wouldn’t worry. But soon after, tragedy struck — he died in a car accident.
Suddenly alone with two children and a heavy debt burden, Marina was overwhelmed at the funeral. However, she summoned strength, worked tirelessly, sold everything possible, and they survived on the bare essentials. Katya helped by caring for her brother, Yura.
- Marina kissed her daughter goodbye: “I must go now. Check Yura’s homework, and he should be home by nine. What would I do without you?”
- Traveling to the hospital required long commutes and transfers, but she had grown used to it over the years, despite contemplating a closer job.
“Good evening, Marina Nikolaevna,” greeted Sergey Andreevich, a new colleague who recently returned to work after retirement, missing the routine. Marina sensed his interest and felt a shy hesitation herself. Both were widowed and close in age, with Sergey polite and well-mannered. Gossip circulated, but nothing moved beyond subtle hints.
“Hello, Sergey Andreevich,” Marina replied cautiously, avoiding unnecessary attention from nurses by passing by.
Meanwhile, the doctors gathered in the staff room over tea.
“Join us, Marina Nikolaevna. How is everything?”
“Quiet so far, but like they say, calm before the storm.”
The shift truly started calmly: one patient admitted for appendicitis, a worker had his hand stitched. The weather was pleasant, so Marina stepped outside to catch her breath.
Unexpectedly, Sergey sat beside her.
“Marina, I’d like to invite you to the cinema. I couldn’t think of a better plan. Restaurants feel too cliché, theaters not everyone enjoys, and honestly, I don’t know much about you yet. Refusal isn’t an option!” he said with a smile.
Marina chuckled instead of declining.
“Can you read minds?” she teased.
“What’s there to read? You avoid me every time I’m nearby.”
“Is it that obvious?”
“Absolutely. We’re grown adults, both free. It’s pointless denying there’s something between us.”
Marina breathed deeply. “It’s been a long while since I’ve had this kind of conversation.”
“But life goes on, Marina. There’s no reason to stop.”
“Alright, I’ll go to the cinema with you, but I hardly have time.”
“I noticed. You work too much.”
“I have to. My husband left me with bitter memories,” she admitted bitterly.
Sergey nodded sympathetically. “If you want, you can tell me more sometime.”
Unexpectedly, Marina began sharing the story she had long buried. Sergey listened attentively.
“Think carefully before inviting a woman carrying such a burden,” she warned.
“Nonsense. Everything can be sorted out, even in difficult circumstances,” he reassured her confidently.
“Maybe you’re right. I think about it too much. I had a close friend once. After I married, we had a falling out. It turned out she wanted my husband too. Sometimes I wonder what might have been.”
“Don’t torment yourself with unanswerable questions. Have you reconciled?”
“I don’t know where she is now. She left soon after the wedding. So many years have passed…”
Sergey glanced toward the entrance.
“It’s too quiet. Probably the work will begin soon.”
Marina went back inside. Minutes later, she was called to the operating room.
“Marina Nikolaevna, just in time! Get the OR ready.”
She examined the patient without looking up, then froze when she met his eyes. On the stretcher lay Kostya, her husband she thought was dead. He stared at her fearfully before averting his gaze.
“It can’t be… he’s supposed to be dead…”
The patient’s blood pressure was dropping, and severe bleeding was evident. Marina focused, beginning the operation. Afterward, she was certain it was Kostya despite the documents.
At the exit, a woman’s unexpected words startled Marina.
“How is my husband?”
She recognized Lena — her former friend with whom she had long severed ties.
“Lena?” Marina said in astonishment.
“Marina? I didn’t know you worked here,” Lena replied awkwardly.
Lena sighed, gathering her thoughts.
“You operated on him?”
“Is it really Kostya? I don’t understand…”
“Marina… it’s complicated. We wanted one thing, but it turned out differently. We need to talk.”
Marina’s voice trembled. “I want to know what’s really going on here.” She struggled to hold back swelling emotions.
Sergey Andreevich peeked into the room.
“Everything okay? May I stay? Don’t want your head to spin.”
Lena glanced at him quickly and nodded. The three settled in a small security room.
“Go on,” Marina demanded, staring at Lena.
Lena began recounting the story. After Marina’s wedding, she had left but returned years later and met Kostya. They started an affair and devised a plan to vanish to avoid loan payments and child support.
“Kostya had connections that helped start a business,” Lena explained. “But it failed. We moved to another city, but faced similar ‘entrepreneurs.’ Everything ended with debts. We sold whatever we could and came back to my apartment. Creditors found us fast. Today’s attack was from them.”
Marina clenched her fists.
“And how do you plan to get out of this?”
“Maybe you sell the apartment? Kostya’s share is there…”
Marina gasped from the suggestion.
“Lena, are you crazy? I’ve been repaying the loan for years, sacrificing for the children. And you want me homeless?”
Sergey sighed.
“Best call the police. Kostya will have to answer, but he’ll stay alive, and Marina, you’ll finally be free from this burden.”
Lena jumped up.
“Don’t betray us, Marina! He’s your husband, father to your kids!”
“I have no pity for you,” Marina said firmly. “Did you ever think of me when you planned this? Or the children? We stood by his grave mourning him. Sergey, please call the police.”
Sergey dialed and then told Lena.
“Stay here until help arrives.”
Lena waved dismissively and sat down. Marina stepped outside.
“Mom, is something wrong? You look upset…” Katya asked anxiously when Marina came home.
Marina sighed heavily and sat beside her.
“Sweetheart, I need to tell you something. I don’t even know where to start…”
She revealed everything. Katya quietly said:
“So while we were paying debts, he lived as he pleased? While we brought flowers to his ‘grave,’ he was having fun? Mom, can I just think of my dad as dead forever?”
Marina shrugged.
“I can’t convince you otherwise. For me, he died twice.”
Six months later.
“Mom, is today a celebration?” the children asked, rushing to the kitchen. “What’s that smell?”
“Take off your jackets quickly,” Marina urged.
Yurka sniffed eagerly and whined.
“I’m starving!”
Marina laughed.
“Not for long. Dinner will be ready in half an hour.”
Katya narrowed her eyes and approached her mother.
“Mom, are you getting married?”
Blushing, Marina replied:
“Oh, it’s not about marriage… But today, I want you to meet someone. His name is Sergey. Katya, Yurka, come help me set the table.”
Turning away to hide her nervousness, she felt their hands embrace her.
“Mom, we’re really happy for you. Just make sure he’s a good man,” they whispered. Marina wiped away tears.
“He’s good, you’ll see,” she said firmly.
The doorbell rang. Yurka dashed to open it.
Marina closed her eyes. There was no turning back now.
Within a month, Marina and Sergey quietly tied the knot among close family. Yurka and Sergey quickly bonded, with the boy growing to respect him. Sergey wished to take things slow, allowing trust and familiarity to develop.
Kostya recovered and immediately faced legal proceedings. Uncovered were numerous frauds tied to him and Lena. Marina had to attend hearings as her name appeared in the case. Kostya looked defeated, Lena embittered; they blamed each other. Witnessing it was unbearable for Marina.
The loan remained Marina’s responsibility since the documents were in her name, and the court dismissed her arguments. Sergey supported her in paying off the remaining debt.
Key Insight: With Sergey’s help, Marina found hope and a chance for a fresh start. Despite hardships, life offered renewed warmth and serenity within the family.
“Alright, Marisha, let’s start anew,” Sergey embraced her. “Though now my wallet’s empty,” he joked with a smile.
They laughed together.
“What matters most is that everyone is safe and well. Money we can earn again,” Marina responded, sensing the home filling once more with peace and warmth.
In conclusion, Marina’s journey from grief and hardship towards healing underscores resilience amid adversity. Though confronted with painful truths and difficult choices, she embraced support and looked forward to a hopeful future. This story highlights the complexities of human relationships, the weight of past burdens, and the power of new beginnings.