My Unique Fate
“Mom, what are you doing here?” Aline asked in surprise when she spotted her mother at the women’s health clinic.
“Oh, Linok, do you also have an appointment today? You didn’t tell me yesterday…” Svetlana shyly lowered her eyes, feeling embarrassed.
“Mom, this place is for expectant mothers. Why are you here?” Aline tenderly stroked her rounded belly.
“Linok, I wanted to tell you…” her mother glanced around, choosing her words carefully. “Well, I’m also expecting a child.”
…
Svetlana gave birth to Aline at eighteen. The girl’s father showed little interest; his alimony payments were minimal and only after legal action.
Despite everything, Svetlana adored her daughter wholeheartedly. She worked two jobs and sewed garments overnight to make ends meet. Friends shook their heads, warning, “Why are you overworking yourself? You’ll ruin your youth!” Yet Svetlana paid no attention. Her only wish was that her daughter lacked nothing. The best chocolates, trendy jackets, and pricey dolls — whatever Aline desired, her mother supplied. She denied herself every indulgence, ensuring Aline never felt deprived.
Aline grew accustomed to luxury without counting money — she bought what she wanted freely and even managed a class trip to the seaside. When it was time for university, she opted for the most prestigious institution’s tuition-based program. Svetlana didn’t argue.
During her third year, Aline met Dima. He was older, finishing his studies. Svetlana immediately liked him, considering him a sensible young man with a firm head on his shoulders. She felt happiness at the thought of her daughter finally having a dependable husband and support. Even if Aline gave birth, she wouldn’t face motherhood alone.
And so it happened: Aline became pregnant. Dima promptly proposed marriage, and they held an extravagant wedding. Half of the expenses were covered by his parents; Svetlana provided the other half and even gifted the young couple a vacation trip to Sochi.
“Dima, shall we take a walk?” Aline suggested.
“Sure, the weather is lovely, and there’s a new café nearby. Let’s stop for a bite,” her husband smiled, caressing her belly.
They strolled through the park, fed pigeons, and then entered the café. But as soon as they sat down, Aline suddenly turned pale.
“What’s wrong?” Dima asked, frowning.
“Mom…” she said shortly.
At a table two seats away, Svetlana sat with an unfamiliar man.
“Oh, that’s right!” Dima turned to look.
Svetlana noticed them and flashed an embarrassed smile.
“Let’s go say hello. Who’s that with her?” Dima started to get up.
“No, we won’t. I don’t want to see this!” Aline abruptly left and rushed outside.
Dima paid and chased after her. On the sidewalk, Aline confronted her mother:
“Who is that man? Have you forgotten you’re going to be a grandmother soon?”
“Aline, you’re grown. I raised you; don’t I deserve to live my own life?”
Dima carefully intervened:
“Is everything alright, Svetlana Viktorovna?”
“Dima, nothing serious…”
“Come on,” Aline grabbed her husband’s hand and almost ran away.
Aline was used to thinking her mother belonged solely to her. She never imagined Svetlana could have a man. Yet, indeed, her mother had been alone all those years, fearing her daughter’s reaction.
Until two years prior, when her boss, Igor Vasilyevich, started courting her. Svetlana had liked him long ago but never acted on it. When he showed interest, she gave in.
They began seeing each other. Igor even asked her to move in. Svetlana initially refused but eventually agreed. She simply didn’t know how to share this with Aline. Then this awkward encounter happened.
Later, Svetlana found out she was pregnant. At forty-three, it was late, but she refused to consider abortion. Igor rejoiced — he had no children, and now soon would have a son or daughter.
After the café incident, Aline stopped answering calls. Svetlana only learned about her granddaughter’s birth from Dima.
“A girl, 53 cm, 3200 grams!” he joyfully announced.
“Congratulations! Can we come visit? I really want to see her,” Svetlana whispered, almost crying.
“I’ll try to convince Aline…”
But her daughter categorically refused. Svetlana worried, though already six months pregnant herself and advised not to stress.
Four months later, she gave birth to a girl. She messaged Aline that now she had a sister. But silence followed. Only Dima sent flowers and called.
Years passed, the girls grew. Aline and Dima named their daughter Sasha. Svetlana and Igor named their child Nastya, after the grandmother. Sometimes Dima sent pictures — “First tooth!” or “Walking on her own!” Svetlana hoped that by schooling age, Aline would soften. Yet, despite seemingly no reason for resentment, Aline remained firm.
On Sasha’s seventh birthday, Svetlana called Dima:
“Please come visit with Sasha. We are really waiting.”
“I’ll try to persuade her…”
That evening, Dima passed along the invitation.
“We’re not going,” Aline snapped.
“But she’s your mother and sister,” her husband reasoned.
“She betrayed me. I don’t want to see that girl.”
Thus, they lived parallel lives. Svetlana and Igor in their suburban cottage, Aline and Dima in an urban residential area. Occasionally, Aline heard from mutual acquaintances: “She’s been hospitalized,” or “Nastya has a fever.” Deep down, she longed to visit and embrace her mother as before, but jealousy and anger prevailed.
“Dima, we still need to buy Sasha some hair bows and a change of shoes,” Aline said during dinner.
“We’ll manage. Can’t believe seven years have flown by…”
“Mom, can I skip English today?” Sasha ran into the kitchen.
“No! We moved for this school,” Aline said firmly.
Like her mother once had, she strove to give her daughter the best.
- Dedicated mother working tirelessly to provide
- Complex family dynamics with unresolved conflicts
- Generational patterns repeating with hope for reconciliation
September first arrived. Dima took a day off to accompany Sasha on her first day of school. Though far away, the school was prestigious with a language focus.
The bell rang, congratulations and good wishes were given…
“Class 1A!” the teacher announced.
“Ours!” whispered Aline as she led her daughter to the group.
Amid the crowd of parents, she suddenly spotted her mother. A brief moment passed, and their eyes met. Aline couldn’t hold back; she ran toward Svetlana, and the tears long held back streamed freely. Svetlana embraced her tightly just like in childhood, as all animosities melted away in that instant, as though they had never existed.
“Sometimes, the bonds of family are tested by time and pain, but love ultimately has the power to heal.”
In summary, this story reflects the complex tapestry of relationships strained by secrets, misunderstandings, and time. Yet it ultimately shows a hopeful path toward forgiveness and reunion, illustrating the enduring strength of family connections against adversity.