Alina squeezed into the crowded bus with difficulty. She hadn’t been to these parts in a long time — ever since her grandmother passed away, she’d only visited the village once.
After that, it just never worked out — studies, fun, life. Honestly, even that one visit she would rather erase from memory. That was when Maksim showed up. Maksim — her grandfather’s grandson. Well, “grandfather”…
Grandma was known for her beauty. That’s what Mom used to say before she moved abroad with her new boyfriend, leaving 17-year-old Alina in her grandmother’s care. That’s also what all the villagers said. Long story short, when Grandma was past fifty, she got married again.
As she admitted herself — to her first love, the one she’d lost in her youth due to some foolish misunderstanding. Alina had liked Grandpa Grigory: calm, kind, and he loved her grandmother sincerely until his last breath. But he had one big flaw — his grandson Maksim.
At first, Alina had nothing against Maksim. On the contrary, she looked forward to meeting him. As a child, she believed everyone was a friend. And Maksim was three years older than her, which made him seem interesting.
But when Maksim finally arrived, Alina immediately realized that she and this arrogant guy would never get along. He looked down on her, always calling her a runt, which drove her mad. They fought every time they crossed paths at their grandparents’ house.
Every time, Alina would end up trying to start a fight. Maksim, of course, never fought back — he would just scoop her up, carry her inside, and declare, “Alina’s trying to fight again. But I can’t hit her back, can I?” And in the end? Maksim got praised, and she got scolded. She hated him for it!
They didn’t see each other for about three years, maybe more. They met again at Grandpa’s funeral, and a few months later — at Grandma’s. After the memorial, they were left alone in the empty house, and Alina looked at him in surprise. He had long since outgrown his awkward teenage years. Now he was a handsome young man: broad-shouldered, tall — a dream for any girl.
“What’s with the stare? Gearing up for another fight?” he teased.
Alina sighed.
“A fight? Please.”
“Oh come on, you forgot already?”
She snorted.
“God, at least bring up something from before we were born.”
“What are we doing about the house?” he changed the subject.
“I don’t know. Let it sit, I guess. No point in selling — we’d get pennies. No one wants to live here. Maybe we’ll come to relax once in a while.”
She sighed again and, for the first time, agreed with Maksim.
“You’re probably right.”
He raised an eyebrow.
“Did I just hear that? You admitted I was right?”
Alina blushed.
“Oh, enough already! You know what, if you want, live here. I don’t need it. I’m getting married soon anyway.”
“No way! Someone decided to marry you? Feisty little thing like you?”
That stung. Alina barely stopped herself from attacking Maksim like a child. He clearly understood, because he grinned smugly. She wanted to curse herself for revealing her feelings. So, without deciding anything, and both claiming they didn’t care about the house, they parted ways again.
Just two years had passed. Now Alina was heading back to the village because she simply had nowhere else to go. Sure, she could crash with friends or rent a place, but she had almost no money left. Actually — none at all. She had given all her savings — meant for a small apartment — to her fiancé for the wedding.
They had decided to throw a grand celebration since her fiancé already had a lovely two-bedroom apartment in the city center. Everything was planned — and then Alina found out she was pregnant.
Anton — that was her fiancé’s name — was overjoyed, like it was the greatest gift of his life. He immediately took charge of the wedding plans.
“You’re going to a wellness resort. I’ve got a connection who can get you a spot. You need it right now.”
“But Anton, what about the wedding…”
“I’ll handle everything. You just pick a wedding dress. You need to stay strong and healthy — they’ve got all kinds of health treatments there,” Anton made a dramatic gesture, and Alina laughed.
“Alright, you convinced me. You really are the best.”
He looked at her seriously.
“You don’t even know how much you mean to me.”
They spoke every evening. Anton updated her on the wedding, and Alina shared stories about her day.
“I miss you so much, Anton. I wish I were home already.”
“You’re such a child. Think of it this way — you’re taking care of our baby. Oh, by the way, I won’t be able to call tomorrow. We’re checking out the venue and will probably be there late. Gotta make sure they don’t mess anything up.”
She sighed. She knew how responsible Anton was.
“I’ll be there the day after tomorrow.”
“Good. I’ll pick you up.”
“Anton, it’s a five-minute walk from the station. I’m pregnant, not sick. Better make me a romantic dinner — I really miss you.”
Alina practically flew from the station. She imagined Anton’s hugs, his kisses… But the door was opened by a strange woman.
“Who are you looking for?”
“What do you mean — who? Is Anton home?”
“Anton? You mean the guy renting this place? And you are?”
The woman smirked.
“I’m the owner. That scoundrel Anton was renting from me. Skipped town without paying the last month. And you — what are you to him? You gonna pay his rent?”
Alina was stunned.
“This must be some mistake! I was at a resort. Anton was here, getting ready for our wedding. My stuff is still here! What are you saying?”
She pushed past the woman and ran inside. Anton’s things were gone. Her belongings were scattered all over the floor. She picked up a blouse, then another… and turned to the woman.
“We have to call the police! Something’s happened to him!”
The woman shook her head.
“Nothing happened. He was here drinking and partying with girls for two weeks. Neighbors called to complain. When I said I was coming, he ran off and left everything behind.”
“But we were planning a wedding! I’m pregnant!”
The woman suddenly looked sorry for her.
“Well, you know the venue, right? Go there. Did you even try calling him?”
Alina nodded. The phone was off. She hadn’t thought much of it — Anton often forgot to charge it.
“You’re right. I’ll go now.”
“Take your stuff, or I’ll toss it.”
Alina quickly gathered her things. There was no money. At the door, the landlady stopped her.
“You lived with him? Pay for the month.”
Alina handed over the last of her cash. At the restaurant, no one had ever heard of Anton or the wedding. That’s when she realized — Anton had simply used her and disappeared with her money. It felt impossible, but all the signs were there.
She went outside, found a bench in a quiet corner of the park, and cried. Then she made up her mind: she’d go to the village. She couldn’t face anyone right now. Everyone would pity her like she’d just buried someone. She had just enough money for a ticket and a couple of pastries.
She regretted quitting her job before the resort, as Anton had suggested. She’d even given him her severance — all to make the wedding “perfect.” The bus coughed black smoke and disappeared.
Alina grabbed her bag and walked toward her grandmother’s house. Her mood started to lift. She had always loved it there: the air was magical, the beauty — otherworldly.
She reached the house and froze. Everything was neat, the yard freshly mowed and tidy. She pushed the gate… and there was Maksim.
“Well, well! Look who’s here!”
Maksim was in shorts, shirtless — clearly settled in.
“What are you… When did you… What are you doing here?” she stammered.
Maksim smirked.
“Just decided to get some rest. Physically and mentally.” He nodded at her bag. “Looks like you’re not just here for a day either.”
Suddenly, her eyes filled with tears. Then the hot streams rolled down her cheeks. Why? Why was it always like this for her? Why was he here, of all people? Just to mock her again?
“Hey, what’s wrong?”
He gently touched her cheek, wiping away her tears. Then he snatched her bag.
“Come on. Let’s go inside. We don’t need anyone seeing the village’s toughest girl crying.”
Alina smiled in spite of herself. She had been a tough one.
Maksim sat her on the couch, rushed to get her water, and handed her a glass.
“Alright, spill it. And remember — there’s no such thing as an unsolvable problem.”
She handed the glass back.
“Can I stay here a bit? I won’t be in your way.”
“Are you crazy? This house is just as much yours as it is mine. Stay as long as you like.”
The next morning, Maksim peeked into her room.
“Time for breakfast!”
She smiled but then remembered she had no money and couldn’t even buy groceries.
“I’m not hungry. I don’t eat in the mornings.”
At lunch, she said she was on a diet. By dinner, Maksim had had enough.
“Alright, Alina. We fought more than we got along as kids, but I still feel responsible for you. Sit down and tell me what happened. And tell me why you’re not eating. You think I’ll poison you?”
She held back as long as she could. But he looked at her so kindly… and she was starving. She cried and told him everything. Maksim listened silently. When she finished, he got up.
“First of all, you haven’t changed a bit. Still completely irresponsible. Why are you only thinking about yourself? What about the baby? What’s it supposed to eat if you’re not eating?”
Alina blinked in confusion.
Maksim took her hand, brought her to the table, served pasta and salad.
“Eat. And listen. I’ll find your Anton. I’ve found worse. But I won’t promise he’ll come back. What I will promise is he’ll return your money.”
“I don’t want him back. And I don’t want you to…”
“That’s good — you’re finally getting smarter. Look, everyone makes mistakes. But hiding isn’t the answer.”
A month passed. Alina looked better. Her cheeks were rosy, her belly had begun to show. Maksim kept going to the city — probably for work — but always came home by evening. She cooked, tidied up the house and the yard.
One day, he brought a wad of cash and dropped it on the table.
“Not all of it, I think, but it’s all he had. We could give him time to come up with the rest.”
Alina stared at him.
“Tell me — we always fought, yet you’ve done so much for me. Why?”
Maksim looked flustered, even scared.
“No reason.”
“Maksim, don’t lie to me. You’re terrible at it.”
He chuckled, sat down.
“Do you know how many times I dreamed we’d live here, just the two of us? I even asked the neighbor to call me if you ever came back. And once we were both here, I knew you’d stay — just out of sheer stubbornness. I figured I’d have time to prove I’m the one you need. So far, it’s all gone exactly how I dreamed. Except…”
“Except I’m pregnant,” Alina sighed.
“Maksim, you always hated me.”
“Who told you that?”
“You couldn’t go five minutes without making me angry. You did it on purpose.”
“What was I supposed to do? Say I liked you? So you could laugh in my face?”
Alina looked at him, stunned. Their fights suddenly seemed so different now.
“I was such a… Maksim, I’m sorry.”
“There’s nothing to forgive. Thank you for this month. But I’ll be honest — it didn’t make things easier. It made everything harder.”
“Why?”
“Because now I can’t imagine life without you.”
“But Maksim, I’m pregnant with another man’s child.”
“I didn’t catch that last part. What does that have to do with anything? Do you really think your child could ever be a stranger to me?”
“Okay, enough with the drama. When are you heading back to the city?”
Alina didn’t answer. He turned, surprised. She was smiling.
“Alina? What is it?”
“You know what, Maksim? Nothing’s changed. I still want to smack you so you’ll come to your senses. And if you don’t kiss me right now, I swear I’ll throw something at you.”
Maksim stepped forward cautiously. He remembered that scene from the movie The Girls, where the hero kisses the girl and immediately braces for a slap. That’s exactly how he felt. But the slap never came. Alina wrapped her arms around his neck and said seriously:
“Don’t ever let me go again. I’m completely helpless without you.”