Out of desperation, she agreed to marry the wealthy man’s son who couldn’t walk… And a month later she noticed…
“You must be joking,” Tatyana said, staring at Ivan Petrovich with wide eyes.
He shook his head.
“No, I’m not. But I’ll give you time to think. Because the proposal is truly out of the ordinary. I even have an idea what you’re thinking right now. Weigh everything, think it through—I’ll come back in a week.”
Tanya watched him leave in a daze. The words he had just spoken wouldn’t fit in her head.
She had known Ivan Petrovich for three years. He owned a chain of gas stations and some other businesses. Tanya worked part-time as a cleaner at one of those stations. He always greeted the staff warmly and spoke kindly. All in all, he was a decent man.
The pay at the station was good, and there was no shortage of people wanting to work there. About two months ago, after finishing her cleaning, Tanya was sitting outside—her shift was nearly over, and she had a little free time.
Suddenly the door of the staff entrance opened and Ivan Petrovich appeared.
“Mind if I sit?”
Tanya jumped to her feet.
“Of course—no need to ask.”
“Why are you jumping up? Stay seated, I don’t bite. It’s a nice day.”
She smiled and sat down again.
“Yes, in spring it feels like the weather is always good.”
“That’s because everyone’s sick of winter.”
“Maybe you’re right.”
“I’ve been meaning to ask: why are you working as a cleaner? Larisa offered to move you to an operator’s position. The pay’s higher, the work is lighter.”
“I’d love to. But I can’t because of the schedule—my little daughter is ill. When things are fine, the neighbor can sit with her. But when there’s a flare-up, I have to be there myself. So Larisa and I swap shifts when needed. She always helps.”
“I see… What’s wrong with the girl?”
“Oh, don’t ask… The doctors themselves don’t really know. She has attacks—can’t breathe, panic, lots of things. And the serious tests are paid. They say we should wait, maybe it’ll pass with age. Only I can’t afford to wait…”
“Hang in there. It’ll be all right.”
Tanya thanked him. That evening she learned that Ivan Petrovich had issued her a bonus—no explanations, he just gave it.
She didn’t see him after that. And now today he had come to her home.
When Tanya saw him, her heart nearly stopped. And when she heard his proposal, it got even worse.
Ivan Petrovich had a son—Stas, almost thirty. Seven of those years he had spent in a wheelchair after an accident. The doctors did everything they could, but he never got back on his feet. Depression, withdrawal, almost complete refusal to communicate—even with his father.
And then Ivan Petrovich had an idea: to marry his son off. For real. So that he would have a goal again, a desire to live, to fight. He wasn’t sure it would work, but he decided to try. And it seemed to him that Tanya was the ideal person for the role.
“Tanya, you’ll live in complete comfort. You’ll have everything. Your daughter will undergo all the examinations and get treatment. I’m offering a one-year contract. In a year you’ll leave—no matter what. If Stas gets better—good. If not—I’ll reward you generously.”
Tanya couldn’t get a word out—indignation swept over her.
As if reading her thoughts, Ivan Petrovich said quietly:
“Tanya, please, help. It’s mutually beneficial. I’m not even sure my son will touch you. But it will be easier for you—you’ll be in a respected position, officially married. Think of it as marrying not for love but because of circumstances. I only ask this: not a word to anyone about our conversation.”
“Wait, Ivan Petrovich… And your Stas—does he agree?”
The man smiled sadly.
“He says he doesn’t care. I’ll tell him I have problems—with the business, with my health… The main thing is that he be married. For real. He’s always trusted me. So it’s… a lie for a good cause.”
Ivan Petrovich left, and Tanya sat for a long time, numb. Outrage boiled inside her. But his direct, honest words took some of the edge off the proposal.
And if you think about it… What wouldn’t she do for Sonechka?
Anything.
And him? He’s a father too. He loves his son as well.
Her shift hadn’t even ended when the phone rang:
“Tanyusha, quick! Sonechka’s having an attack! A bad one!”
“I’m coming! Call an ambulance!”
She arrived just as the ambulance pulled up to the gate.
“Where on earth were you, mom?” the doctor asked sternly.
“I was at work…”
The attack really was severe.
“Maybe we should go to the hospital?” Tanya asked timidly.
The doctor, who was there for the first time, waved a tired hand.
“What’s the point? They won’t help there. They’ll only rattle the child’s nerves. Ah, you should go to the capital—to a good clinic, to real specialists.”
Forty minutes later the doctors left.
Tanya picked up the phone and dialed Ivan Petrovich.
“I agree. Sonechka had another attack.”
The next day they were leaving.
Ivan Petrovich himself came for them—accompanied by a young, clean-shaven man.
“Tanya, take only the essentials. We’ll buy everything else.”
She nodded.
Sonya eyed the car with curiosity—big and shiny.
Ivan Petrovich crouched down in front of her.
“Like it?”
“Very much!”
“Want to sit in front? Then you’ll see everything.”
“Can I? I really want to!” The girl looked at her mom.
“If the police see, they’ll give you a fine,” Tanya said sternly.
Ivan Petrovich laughed and swung the door open.
“Hop in, Sonya! And if anyone wants to issue a fine—we’ll fine them ourselves!”
As they neared the house, Tanya grew more and more nervous.
“Oh God, why did I agree? What if he’s strange, aggressive?..”
Ivan Petrovich noticed her anxiety…
Continued in the comments