Lera was coming home after a date, lost in heavy thoughts.
She hadn’t expected Ivan to propose that very day.
His gesture had thrown her off — she still couldn’t give him a clear answer.
Her heart was full of anxiety: what if she was making a mistake again?
The wounds from her recent divorce were still fresh.
Was it too soon to consider marriage again?
She wanted to talk to her mom, to get her opinion.
Was this all moving too fast?
At first, Lera had agreed to see Ivan with only one goal — to try to return to a normal life and forget the husband who had betrayed her trust.
And now — marriage? Wasn’t it all happening too quickly?
Yes, she knew Ivan had feelings for her for a long time, but was it real love… or did he truly love her?
And could she ever love him in return? Questions swirled in her mind, giving her no peace.
Stopping at the door, Lera reached for the doorbell, but, as always, it was silent.
How many times had they tried to fix that thing — it was useless.
She listened for a moment, then knocked, but no one answered.
They were probably watching a show inside. She didn’t want to disturb them.
Lera took out her key — just in case, she had access to her mother’s apartment.
In case of illness or an emergency.
Entering quietly, she heard voices coming from the living room. Her mom had a visitor — Nina Vasilievna, Ivan’s mother.
For a moment, Lera considered leaving so as not to intrude, but something made her stop and listen.
“I hope everything works out, Anechka! Finally, our children are heading toward marriage.
Just as we planned,” said Nina Vasilievna.
Her heart sank. So they already knew…
Why had Ivan rushed to tell them about the proposal, even without knowing if Lera would say yes?
“I’m just so happy,” her mother replied. “When she married that Pasha, I nearly lost my mind.
No family, no status. Just some vocational school diploma.
She kept saying they loved each other, but is love alone enough to build a family?
I always wanted something better for Lera. With Vanya, she’ll be in good hands.”
Nina laughed softly and added something in a whisper, but Lera couldn’t make it out.
She crept closer, careful not to disturb the creaky floor.
“Vanya is a responsible man. Lera is smart, beautiful, caring. She’ll be a good daughter-in-law.
Especially now that he inherited so much from his father.
I was so afraid he’d end up with some gold-digger who’d cling to him for money.
But Lera’s different. I’m glad they gave each other a chance.”
“Inheritance?” — the word echoed in Lera’s mind. She hadn’t known about it.
Bits of memories started coming together.
Back in school, their mothers had said they wanted them to end up together, but later, her own mom had warned her away from Ivan: “He has nothing.
He’s just a student. You need someone successful.”
That’s when Lera began distancing herself from Vanya. Soon after, she met Pavel, fell in love… and was betrayed.
But now it seemed the real reason for her breakup with Pavel might’ve been something else entirely.
Ivan didn’t have to prove anything, because Lera was made available for him — for profit?
“I had to do a lot to make sure Lera left that Pasha.
She was madly in love with him. I hope Vanya appreciates her and doesn’t hurt her.
So much effort went into this.”
Lera’s heart pounded. She couldn’t enter the room now — she needed to hear more.
What if Pavel never cheated on her at all? How could she look him in the eyes now?
How would she explain her actions? After all, she saw him with another woman…
But what if it was all staged? Who could she trust now?
And more importantly — could she trust her own mother?
Tears welled in her eyes.
Just a broken doorbell and the decision to use her key had uncovered a horrifying truth.
“You did great, Anechka! It wouldn’t have worked without you.
But let’s keep this between us.
We won’t tell anyone how carefully we planned everything.
Now the kids will be together, and we can relax.
Vanya’s always loved Lera. He was so happy to propose! Do you think she’s already said yes?”
“If she refuses, I’ll make her agree. What’s there to think about?
Don’t worry, everything will be fine. I’ve already gone to extremes —
I drugged her husband and set him up with another woman.
I’ll see this through to the end.”
Lera staggered back as if hit by something heavy.
Her world collapsed in an instant, swallowed by darkness. Her own mother… the man she loved…
She had betrayed, manipulated, and felt no regret.
Lera remembered the pain after the divorce, how she’d wanted to end her life.
She remembered how Pavel cried, begging her to listen and forgive.
But she couldn’t. She thought she saw everything with her own eyes.
That evening, Lera had stayed at her mother’s place because an electrician was supposed to fix the broken doorbell.
She waited for a long time, but no one came. Her mother called — said she’d called a taxi and would be back soon.
Lera went home — and found her husband with another woman. She couldn’t believe it, but the evidence was undeniable.
And now, it turns out — it was all a setup.
Her mother arranged everything to destroy her marriage for money.
For Ivan’s inheritance. If not for that, none of this would have happened.
She and Pavel could’ve been together. Happy.
Hot tears streamed down her face. Lera took a deep breath and walked into the living room.
Anna Ivanovna and Nina Vasilievna flinched in surprise.
From Lera’s face, they instantly understood — she’d heard everything.
“Lera, why did you come in by yourself? The bell doesn’t work, but you could have knocked!” her mother tried to take control of the situation.
“I came for advice, Mom…” — Lera’s voice was barely audible.
“Ivan proposed to me. I wanted to ask if it’s too soon to say yes.
Who else would I turn to, if not you — the one I always trusted?”
Anna Ivanovna reached for her daughter, but Lera stepped back, shaking her head:
“No need for affection. I found my answer. Thank you for your help.
I hope you’re proud of yourselves.”
Each word tore her heart, but she didn’t stop. She turned and walked away.
Her mother ran after her, trying to explain — but what could she possibly say?
Everything was clear now. Anna Ivanovna had staged the affair to destroy her daughter’s marriage and pair her with Ivan.
How Lera got home, she didn’t remember. The apartment greeted her with cold and emptiness.
She collapsed onto the bed, crying, remembering Pavel’s eyes — full of pain and love.
How could she tell him the truth? How could she ask for forgiveness if he no longer wanted to hear from her?
Her mother kept calling, but Lera asked to be left alone. The disappointment was unbearable.
Her mother had acted solely for gain.
If not for Ivan’s inheritance, she would never have tried to bring them together.
Both women acted despicably — and it was the children who suffered.
Lera felt sorry for Ivan, but she would never marry him.
She called him and firmly said she didn’t return his feelings.
She didn’t explain the details — she had no strength left.
For several days, Lera wrestled between the urge to call Pavel and the fear of hearing a cold voice.
Finally, mustering her courage, she heard only: “The subscriber is out of network coverage.”
It was foolish to hope he had waited all this time. Six months had passed.
She had rejected him again and again. Maybe he had already moved on?
At the factory where Pavel had worked, Lera learned he had quit.
“Did he find someone new?” she asked Vladik, her husband’s best friend.
“How could he, when he only loved you? No.
He just decided to go north for a rotational job.
Said it would help him forget. But he still asks about you all the time.”
Lera grabbed Vlad’s hands:
“Tell me where he went. I have to find him. I need to ask for forgiveness.”
Vlad gave her the address, and Lera immediately bought a ticket.
Bundled up, she set off.
At the airport, barely through the gates, she rushed into Pavel’s arms.
He held her tightly, tears of joy in his eyes.
Much remained unspoken in that moment — but they were simply together.
Together. And they promised one another that nothing would separate them again.
They had made a mistake, believed in cruel schemes, but found the strength to seek the truth and reunite.
Pavel held no grudge. He loved her and was ready to start anew.
They would never again let anyone interfere in their lives.
Only trust, only communication — and an eternal love that withstood the test.
