Hello?” Tatiana picked up the phone. An unfamiliar number appeared on the screen.
“Tatyana Vasilyevna Kuznetsova?”
“Yes… It’s me.”
“Your mother, Elvira Stanislavovna Kuznetsova, has passed away. Come to Moscow. The funeral will be next week,” the voice on the other end was cold and emotionless.
Tatiana froze. She definitely did not expect such news.
She and her mother were not close. Elvira had moved to Moscow when Tanya was just seven years old.
She still remembered that conversation:
“How can you leave her? She is your daughter!” her grandfather had asked her mother as she was about to leave.
“I don’t need her. She’s a burden that appeared by accident. I never wanted this child, but you and mother imposed her on me! I endured for seven years, but now enough is enough. Let her live on her own. I still have my whole life ahead of me!”
“And what about us?”
“You’ll manage without me.”
Little Tanya stood behind the door and listened to this conversation. That moment turned her world upside down.
Now it all became clear to her: why her mother never praised her, why she treated her as if she simply did not exist. Perhaps that’s why Tanya did not intervene in that conversation. She returned to her room and spent the whole night sleepless, quietly crying.
In the morning, her grandmother fell ill with high blood pressure, and her grandfather averted his eyes, not knowing what to say to his granddaughter.
“Grandpa, I know that mom has left. It’s okay.”
“Is that so?” he sighed with relief. He did not have to justify his daughter to his granddaughter.
Elvira had left for good. At first, the grandparents hoped that she would take Tanya as soon as she settled in Moscow. But a few years later, when the daughter called to say that she was doing well, they realized: there was nothing to wait for.
“Couldn’t you at least come to look at Tanyushka. She’s growing up to be your spitting image…”
“What have I not seen there? She’s growing up—and God be with her,” Elvira responded indifferently and hung up. That was her last call.
She did not send any money. At first, the grandparents bought their granddaughter gifts in her mother’s name, telling fairy tales about a mother who loved her very much and would definitely come for her. But eventually, they realized: Tanya was too smart to believe these stories.
Tanya tried to be a good helper for her grandparents. They, in turn, did everything so that the girl did not feel deprived. Although they lived modestly, Tanya always had everything she needed.
The hard life and constant stress undermined her grandmother’s health. She died five years after Elvira’s departure. Then Tanya realized that it was now her duty to take care of her grandfather. She swore to herself never to leave him and not repeat her mother’s mistakes.
Over time, the pain subsided somewhat. And although Tanya understood that her mother would not return, deep inside, she still waited for at least a message. And so her wish came true—ten years later, on her eighteenth birthday.
“Tatyana Vasilyevna Kuznetsova?”
“Yes.”
“Your mother, Elvira Stanislavovna Kuznetsova, has died. Come to Moscow. The funeral is next week.”
Tatyana sat down on a chair, feeling tears roll down her cheeks.
“Granddaughter, who called?” her grandfather’s voice brought her out of her stupor.
“I don’t know…” she whispered, realizing she hadn’t even asked the caller’s name.
“What happened? Who hurt you?”
“Mom… died.”
They sat in silence. It was hard to find the words. Grandfather spoke first.
“Go to Moscow. Say goodbye to her.”
“And you?”
“I won’t go. Someone needs to stay home…”
“But…”
“No, granddaughter. Go. I understand.”
Tatyana bought a train ticket and went to Moscow with a heavy heart.
At the funeral, she felt like a stranger among unfamiliar people. It turned out that many came to say goodbye not to Elvira, but to a man named Saveliy Grigoryevich. It turned out he had been her companion for the last three years.
One of Saveliy’s acquaintances, Vitaliy, told her this.
“Please accept my sincere condolences,” he said, approaching Tatyana. “It’s terrible that it happened this way. A car accident took two lives in an instant. They were a beautiful couple.”
“Did you know my mother?” Tatyana wiped away tears and looked up at him.
“Yes. You look very much like Elvira.”
“No… that’s not true,” Tatyana flinched, though she herself noticed the resemblance, which always weighed on her.
“Do you have relatives in Moscow?”
“No.”
“And where are you staying?”
“At a hotel. I will leave tomorrow.”
“How so? What about the nine and forty days’ mourning rituals? You must definitely come. Moreover, you should visit a notary and deal with the inheritance,” Vitaliy noted.
“I don’t think I should expect anything. My mother never loved me, we didn’t communicate… I doubt she thought about her own death or made a will in my name,” Tatyana faltered. “Sorry, I shouldn’t have told you this. I’m not complaining. And I didn’t come for profit, just to see her… one last time.”
Tatyana turned away, realizing she had said too much.
“I understand. I’m truly sorry that you didn’t have a meeting with your mother. I’m sure she would have wanted it, but perhaps some circumstances prevented it. By the way, I know that Saveliy recently bought an apartment for your mother. I think he registered it in Elvira’s name, he loved her very much.”
Tatyana didn’t know how to react.
“As the only heiress, you have a right to this apartment.”
“Thank you for the information. But I don’t want to get involved. I’m fine as it is.”
“Are you going to refuse what rightfully belongs to you?” Vitaliy was surprised.
“I know that money hasn’t made anyone happy. And especially not someone else’s money. All the best, Vitaliy. It was nice to meet you.”
“It was for me too… It’s just a pity that our meeting happened under such tragic circumstances.”
Tatyana adjusted her scarf on her head and decided that it was time to leave. Her head ached from the heavy atmosphere and the unfriendly stares of strangers.
She didn’t wait for the end of the ceremony, left, and returned to the hotel to quietly recall the rare bright moments of childhood when her mother was still nearby.
“Back, granddaughter?” Grandfather hugged her. “I’ve fried some potatoes, let’s go inside.”
Tatyana told him about her short trip.
“Just like that. I decided not to find out anything. We live here, and we are fine. I graduated from school, I will study at a branch of the institute so I don’t have to go anywhere. I don’t need anything, it’s calmer this way.”
“If you don’t want to leave because of me, don’t even think about it. I want everything in your life to work out,” Grandfather said. “Don’t give up on yourself. You’re young, all doors are open to you. Go to Moscow, there are more opportunities there.”
“Do you want me to act like mom?” Tatyana looked at him.
“You’re not like her, granddaughter. Don’t blame yourself for her mistakes. If an opportunity arises, go. While I can walk, I’ll manage.”
Tatyana shook her head and left. She didn’t want to change her way of life. Moscow was certainly appealing, but she didn’t want to go out of her skin for it. And leaving her grandfather would mean betraying his trust.
Thus, Tatyana continued to live her usual life. The trip to Moscow seemed like a distant dream.
But only until a black SUV pulled up to their house.
“Granddaughter, look who came,” Grandfather called. Tatyana was distracted from cooking and looked out the window.
She was surprised to see Vitaliy at the gate.
“Why are you here?” she asked.
“Your mother left a will. Almost six months have passed since her death, and you need to hurry to open the inheritance case. I’m ready to help you, I understand that all this is complicated and unexpected.”
“Why do you care?”
“I… don’t know. You made a strong impression on me… Maybe I fell in love. It sounds silly, but it’s a fact.”
“I don’t need anything. Sorry,” Tatyana replied, making it clear that she was not going to get involved in this story. His gaze made her uncomfortable.
Returning home, she met Grandfather. She didn’t want to talk, but she still said what she thought was necessary.
“I won’t leave you, even if I’m entitled to millions. Don’t worry, Grandpa.”
“It’s up to you… granddaughter. Only you,” he said, shaking his head.
“So, your mother, who didn’t even bother to be part of your life, left you an inheritance?” Vera, who came to Tatyana for tea, asked. “And you, so proud and independent, decided to refuse?”
“Yes,” Tatyana replied. “I think it will be the right thing.”
“Have you thought about Grandfather?” Vera looked at her with condemnation. “Or has your pride clouded your common sense? That apartment is the least your mother could have done for you. Moreover, Stanislav Petrovich is not young, he spends half of his pension on medications! You understand that money is a guarantee of stability and security, right? Now you barely make ends meet living on his pension, but ahead there could be a chance for a better life.”
“I won’t be able to live in that apartment, and I’m not going to leave Grandfather,” Tatyana firmly replied.
“But you could sell the apartment, buy another one or move Grandfather to the city. You could just live on the money you get. Or rent it out and receive income!” Vera continued to persuade her. Tatyana thought: maybe there was a rational point in her friend’s words.
Even Grandfather, learning about her decision to refuse the inheritance, looked unusually gloomy.
“You’re making the wrong decision,” he said. “Pride and principles don’t always help make reasonable decisions. I see that you’re doing this for me, but your well-being is more important to me.”
“What do you want?” Tatyana asked.
“That you fulfill your mother’s will. If she bequeathed you the property, you should accept it. What to do with it later—we’ll figure it out.”
Tatyana thought it over. She looked at Vitaliy’s business card, which she still kept, and, fearing she might change her mind, dialed his number.
“Tanyechka, hello! How glad I am to hear you. I knew you would change your mind,” he said.
“What else did you know?” she asked.
“That you would agree to meet me in one of the best restaurants in Moscow. I want to invite you to dinner.”
“I would like to discuss only your proposal regarding the inheritance. I’m not interested in anything else.”
“Of course. But first, allow me to treat you to your favorite dish. I promise you haven’t tried anything like it. Tomorrow morning I’ll pick you and Stanislav Petrovich up. We can’t delay any longer.”
Vitaliy did not lie: he came with a huge bouquet of flowers for Tanya.
“It wasn’t necessary…” she said shyly, but accepted the flowers.
“Do I really need to go?” Grandfather asked.
“Yes. You are the first heir. We need to see exactly what your daughter bequeathed and in what shares.”
“If necessary, then it’s necessary…” Tatyana and Grandfather got into Vitaliy’s car and went to Moscow.
“Let’s get straight to business first, and everything else later,” Tatyana said, looking away.
At first, she was wary of Vitaliy, but after he explained everything and took them to the notary, her attitude softened.
It turned out that her mother had left Tanya an apartment in the city center.
“Can we see the apartment?” she asked.
“Yes, the second set of keys was with Saveliy. His mother is probably there now, she should give you the keys.”
“Alright…”
“Tanyusha, I’m a bit tired. You go with Vitaliy, and I’ll go to the hotel,” Grandfather said.
Tatyana was a bit nervous about being alone with Vitaliy, but decided that nothing bad would happen. He behaved respectfully and was likable. She collected the keys, and they went to see the apartment.
“Tanya, I suggest we switch to informal ‘you’. It would be more comfortable for me…”
“Okay.”
The apartment made a strong impression on Tatyana: it was new, bright, with a beautiful view and a cozy atmosphere.
“Do you like it?” Vitaliy asked.
“Yes…” she replied thoughtfully.
“Would you like to live here?”
“I don’t know…” Tatyana hesitated. “I have a grandfather. It would be inconvenient for us in a one-room apartment. He’s used to a private house.”
“I understand. But you could sell the house and buy something else… Or sell this apartment along with the house and buy two smaller homes in a less prestigious area. If you want, I can ask a real estate friend to help.”
“No, no need. I don’t trust real estate agents.”
“Why?”
“Thank you, Vitaliy. I’ve seen everything. Now I would like to go back to the hotel.”
“You promised me dinner. But if you’re tired, we can postpone the meeting until tomorrow.”
“Meeting?” Tatyana asked, looking at him. She couldn’t understand the feelings this man evoked in her. He was tall, attractive, and clearly interested in her. This simultaneously embarrassed and excited the girl, who had never been in serious relationships before.
“Yes. I think you’ve realized: I’m serious. I want to help you with the inheritance, but I’m also hoping for something more than just friendship. Sorry if this sounds too straightforward, but I prefer honesty,” he smiled.
“Thank you. I also value frankness. But I need time to think.”
“I understand.”
Vitaliy drove Tatyana to the hotel and left.
In the evening, Grandfather’s leg hurt. Due to joint problems, he had to be hospitalized. Tatyana was left alone—with her fears, confusion, and complete bewilderment.
She thought about it and decided that refusing Vitaliy’s help might have been a mistake. Perhaps fate had given her a chance to change their lives for the better.
“Hello… I agree to dinner,” she called herself.
“Great. I’ll pick you up at six.”
When Vitaliy arrived, he again brought flowers.
“I suggest we put aside business and just enjoy the evening,” he said.
The soft candlelight, live music, and a cozy table with a city view created an atmosphere of calm. For the first time in a long time, Tatyana felt relaxed. Learning about Grandfather’s hospitalization, Vitaliy thought for a moment and made a call.
“Don’t worry, I’ll try to help ensure that Stanislav Petrovich is provided with all the conditions for a speedy recovery.”
After dinner, they went for a walk.
“How beautiful,” Tanya said, admiring the evening city.
“Would you like to take a boat ride on the river?” Vitaliy offered, noticing her admiring look.
“With pleasure!” Tatyana was delighted. Vitaliy easily opened new facets of life for her. This evening became unforgettable for her.
Returning to the hotel, she felt like a different person.
“Thank you for a wonderful evening,” Vitaliy said.
“I should be thanking you,” she replied with a smile.
“If you allow, tomorrow I’ll show you the city in more detail.”
“Okay…” Tatyana’s heart beat faster in anticipation.
“See you tomorrow…”
Vitaliy lightly ran his finger over her cheek and smiled. A feeling, previously unknown to Tatyana, was growing stronger between them. She was a bit afraid of him, but at the same time, she liked it.
Tatyana couldn’t fall asleep for a long time that night. Thoughts about her grandfather, mother, and Vitaliy spun in her head.
In the morning, Grandfather called.
“Tanyusha, I don’t know what I did to deserve such treatment, but they’re treating me like a king here. Moved to a private room, fed exquisite dishes… Doctors literally surrounded me with attention.”
“Really? Well… Maybe that’s normal for the capital,” Tatyana thought of Vitaliy, but said nothing to Grandfather.
“Maybe. Although it’s still hard to walk. But it’s nice. The main thing is that they don’t bill me later. I asked—they said nothing is required from me. Miracles!”
“Of course. We should be lucky at least once in life, right?” Tatyana smiled.
“Right, granddaughter.”
After talking a bit more, she started getting ready to meet Vitaliy.
But he didn’t come alone.
“Hello, Tanya. I’m Milena Romanovna, a real estate specialist.”
“Hello…” Tanya looked at Vitaliy.
“Milena will just consult you, don’t worry,” he explained.
“About what?”
“You still don’t know what to do with the apartment. I’ve prepared several options for you,” the woman began.
Tatyana listened to her, thanked her, and said that she would not take any action for now.
“Currently, you can’t do anything with the apartment, you first need to enter into the inheritance rights. But you should consider selling now. There’s high demand in the market, prices are rising. It would be profitable for you to sell the apartment. And your house is also of interest to buyers.”
“We’re not selling the house.”
“Maybe you just think so for now. Think about it: living in Moscow is more convenient. Your grandfather is not young, he may need professional help. For example, in a retirement home.”
“Please stop,” Tatyana interrupted her. “I’m not going to sell anything. Thank you. Vitaliy, can I talk to you for a minute?”
“Of course.”
“I don’t want to talk to this woman anymore. If you’re in this together, then it’s better we don’t see each other.”
“I understand. It’s a professional trait of Milena—she’s convinced her opinion is the only correct one. But we don’t have to follow her advice, right?” he looked into her eyes.
“Yes.”
“You’ll make the decision you think is right.”
Milena left. The mood to walk with Vitaliy disappeared, and Tatyana referred to feeling unwell, returning to the hotel. This disappointed Vitaliy.
Tatyana found a lawyer online and scheduled a consultation so as not to depend on Vitaliy and his acquaintances.
The consultation turned out to be very helpful. The lawyer answered all her questions and advised avoiding contact with outsiders who might be interested in her property.
“They are clearly pushing you to sell. They might ask you to sign a power of attorney. Under no circumstances sign anything! In any complex situation, call me.”
“Okay.”
“I would also advise limiting contact with Vitaliy. What was he to your mother?”
“I don’t know.”
“In your place, I would find that out first.”
Tatyana thought about it and decided to visit Saveliy’s mother. She hoped to find her at home.
“Hello… May I come in?” she asked.
“Of course, come in,” the woman replied.
“I won’t stay long. I wanted to ask a few questions…”
“Ask, don’t be shy.”
“Vitaliy… Do you know him?”
“Of course, I know. He’s the son of my husband’s daughter.”
“So his mother is Saveliy’s step-sister?”
“Exactly.”
“I see…”
“Didn’t you know?”
“No, I didn’t know anything…”
“And what did he tell you about us?”
“Nothing special. Offered help with the inheritance process.”
“I see… I noticed how he hovered around you at the funeral. Must be Katerina sent him. She can’t calm down…”
“Katerina? Who’s that?”
“His mother, my stepdaughter. After Saveliy left life so early…” the woman sobbed, “he didn’t even leave a will. Wasn’t planning to die. And now all this dirt…”
“Was Katerina close to Saveliy?”
“She’s cunning and deceitful. Hoped to get something from our family. We used to live modestly, but when Saveliy’s business took off, he began to help everyone. Even supported Katy, until she sued him over her father’s apartment. My husband divided the inheritance equally—between his daughter and stepson, that is, Saveliy. But Katerina thought it was too little. She came to us and started yelling: ‘Give me the apartment! It’s mine!’”
Then Saveliy stopped supporting her, and they stopped communicating.
And now Katerina decided that she should get a part of her stepbrother’s property. Wants to snatch at least a lock of wool… But by law, she gets nothing. Saveliy and Katerina had no blood relation, I didn’t establish guardianship over her.
“And what about my mother?” Tanya asked.
“Before breaking up with Katerina, Saveliy met Elvira. Initially, Elvira and Katerina got along. But when it came to dividing the property, your mother took Saveliy’s side. The apartment he bought for Elvira was purchased with the money from selling shares in my husband’s apartment, Katerina’s father…”
Tatyana’s eyes widened. Now everything fell into place.
“Katerina probably hated your mother. Maybe she thinks the apartment should belong to her, not you. I don’t know exactly… But I wouldn’t trust Vitaliy. I’m sure he and Katerina have a plan related to your apartment.”
“Thank you,” Tanya couldn’t hold back her tears. Such betrayal she couldn’t even imagine in her worst nightmare. And she had already started to fall in love… Believed in his sincerity!
“You’re welcome,” the woman paused. “Honestly, I didn’t even know Elvira had a daughter. I never liked her, I was against her relationship with Saveliy… But life arranged things its own way. Now they can’t be brought back.”
“I’m very sorry…”
“If anything, call, Tanya. I’ll try to help.”
“Thank you.”
The conversation with Saveliy’s mother opened Tatyana’s eyes to what was happening.
She blocked Vitaliy’s number and installed an extra lock on the door to ensure that no one could enter without her knowledge. Vitaliy understood that he couldn’t handle Tanya. Grandfather was discharged from the hospital, and under doctors’ supervision, he felt better. It turned out that Vitaliy had paid for Stanislav Petrovich’s room, apparently to make an impression, but it was too late to demand the money back.
The lawyer Tatyana found helped her enter into inheritance rights. She decided to rent out the apartment, not rushing to move to the capital. She liked living in her native home, where there were no intrigues and human deceit.
One day, Vitaliy still came… Wanted to talk to Tanya, but Grandfather came to the gate with an axe and sent the city guest back where he came from.
“I love your granddaughter…” said Vitaliy. “Call her out, we’ll sort it out ourselves.”
“We have enough suitors of our own,” Stanislav Petrovich replied and threatened to call the local officer.
By that time, Tatyana had already calmed down and stopped crying. She understood that she could never trust Vitaliy again.
“You have your whole life ahead, granddaughter,” Grandfather said. “You’ll have enough suitors for your lifetime. For example, Ivan… A hardworking guy, from a good family…”
“Grandpa, don’t worry. I won’t miss my happiness,” Tatyana smiled meaningfully. At the institute where she studied, there was a boy she really liked… But that’s a completely different story.