The elegant and spacious lobby of the maternity ward buzzed with excitement as relatives, friends, and new parents gathered to meet the latest additions to their families. Everywhere, joyful faces and eager conversations filled the room. In one corner, a young grandmother whispered with pride to the woman standing beside her, “We’re having a boy! Our first grandchild!” A few steps away, another proud grandmother was surrounded by powder pink balloons, celebrating the birth of twins — two girls, no less.
In the midst of all the happiness and anticipation, no one seemed to notice the small young woman struggling with a bundle in her arms. Her hands, already overwhelmed by the weight of several overstuffed plastic bags, were barely able to keep her newborn close to her chest. The baby, swaddled in a thin blanket, seemed so small in her arms compared to the surrounding families celebrating their growing households.
Igor, a young man who had arrived to pick up his sister and nephew, stopped in his tracks, stunned by the sight. “Is that… a baby?” he asked, his eyes wide with disbelief. He rushed over, instinctively opening the door for the young woman, who seemed to be struggling under the weight of everything.
“Are you okay?” Igor asked, looking at the exhausted mother, her face etched with a tired sadness.
The woman looked at him with a weary smile, the kind of smile that spoke of an untold story. She nodded, but there was an unmistakable sadness in her eyes. “I’m fine. Thank you,” she replied softly, her voice barely above a whisper. She adjusted the baby in her arms and began to shuffle toward the bus stop, the weight of her bags pulling at her shoulders.
Igor watched her go, his heart heavy. He couldn’t help but wonder where her family was. No one had come to help her, to celebrate the birth of her child. Was she really going to take the bus with a newborn? Horrified at the thought, he considered offering her a ride, but as he turned back to his family, they called for him to join them. He hesitated but finally turned away, the image of the young woman lingering in his thoughts.
Irina had always been a dedicated daughter, determined to do everything right for her aging mother. Born into modest circumstances, she had spent her life helping her mother, a woman who had given birth to her in her later years and who had never remarried. Irina had spent her childhood doing whatever she could to support her mother, cleaning, cooking, helping with bills. There was never enough money for luxuries, but they made do with what they had.
Her dream was simple: to get an education and help her mother live a better life. As she worked tirelessly to pass her exams, she rejected the advances of Fyodor, a quiet neighbor who had always shown an interest in her. Irina wasn’t interested in boys, not when she had more important things to focus on — like ensuring her future and her mother’s comfort.
Eventually, her hard work paid off. Irina earned a scholarship to attend a prestigious teacher training college in the city. It was a dream come true, but her mother’s worries about her future only increased. “Where will you live? How will you manage?” her mother asked, concerned for her daughter’s well-being. Irina reassured her, already planning ahead to work as a cleaner and secure a dormitory room. But her worries only deepened as the days passed.
In the city, life wasn’t easy. Irina shared a dorm room with another girl and worked part-time as a waitress to support herself. It was here that she met Maksim, a regular customer at the bar where she worked. Maksim, with his charming smile and easy confidence, became a familiar face, always greeting her with compliments and generous tips. Over time, their interactions grew warmer, and eventually, he asked her out. Irina, though reluctant at first, found herself drawn to him, and they began to date.
Maksim was everything Irina had never had: wealthy, confident, and generous. He took her to expensive restaurants, showered her with lavish gifts, and even took her on a luxurious vacation to Thailand. For the first time in her life, Irina felt like she was living in a fairy tale.
But as time passed, Irina realized that her life was no longer just about studying and working. She had fallen in love with Maksim, and their relationship seemed perfect, until one day, she realized that something had changed. She was late. A pregnancy test confirmed her fears: she was pregnant. What did this mean for her future? For Maksim?