“How much do you want? Don’t be shy. I’m ready to pay a decent sum, just to make you leave my son alone. You don’t need much, right? Just enough to treat your friends to dinner, rent a place for a couple of months, and start a new life — if that’s really your goal. My family name doesn’t need a bride from the trash. Leave on your own, and I’ll pay you. We can come to an agreement. Besides… I’ve already found a suitable girl for him — from a good family, not some homeless woman. And I never thought that Sasha still had this trait — bringing homeless animals home… and people too.”
That was what Yulia Borisovna — the future mother-in-law — said. Galina silently looked at her, unable to say a word. She was shaken by such a “generous” offer.
“You’re offering me money to leave Sasha? But we love each other…” she finally said.
“Love? Come on! You can tell him fairy tales all you want, but I know what women are really like. You just set your sights on a rich man and now you’re sucking everything you can from him. Have you been living with him for three months? And he hasn’t sent me a single penny — he only spends on you!”
“That’s his decision. I haven’t asked him for anything.”
“Oh, sure, you just sit there silently and he somehow guesses what you need. I know this trick — I started the same way. Only you’re aiming in the wrong direction, princess of the garbage bin. I raised my son not for him to tie his life to someone like you. Look at yourself in the mirror! You’re not right for each other. And I want to settle this peacefully before he makes a fatal mistake and regrets it later.”
“Have I done anything bad to you?” Galina asked, feeling the wave of anger directed at her.
“Yes, you have! You’ve shamed me in front of everyone. My son is going to marry a woman he picked up from the trash! It’s a disgrace!”
“But then why did you yourself tell people how Sasha and I met?”
Galina remembered that day when she was enthusiastically rummaging through a garbage bin, not realizing that meeting would change her life. At that time, she wasn’t thinking about anything else.
“Miss, do you need help? Maybe something to warm you up? Would you like my jacket?”
She was stunned by such attention. No one had ever offered her help in life. Everyone either demanded something or used her. But here — care. She looked into his green eyes — bright like two emeralds — and shyly looked away. Yes, she looked awful: disheveled, in dirty clothes, with dark circles under her eyes.
“You’re very beautiful. If you want, you can come with me, take a shower, I’ll give you warm clothes. They will be big on you, but at least you’ll be warm.”
“No, thank you, I can’t accept your help,” Galina shook her head.
“I won’t harm you. I just want to help. Take the jacket. Come with me, I’ll feed you a hot dinner, and you can leave. I can’t leave you like this.”
Putting on Alexander’s jacket, Galina realized how cold she was. Her hands trembled, fingers went numb. She didn’t even notice how long she had stood by the bin. What exactly made her agree — she didn’t know. Maybe it was a voice of trust she had long forgotten.
Alexander was sure that such a young and beautiful girl shouldn’t live this way. He offered her work and shelter:
“Stay with me. There’s a free room. I’ll help you find something to do, and then you can rent your own place.”
“Sorry, but I can’t,” Galina shook her head. She quickly made up a story: “They’ll be looking for me. I help an old lady and need to bring her food.”
“Let me help carry it?”
“No, I can’t. Thanks for your help, but better not. Not everyone there is kind.”
“Then let’s meet tomorrow evening. At six o’clock. There’s a clock at the bus stop.”
Galina hesitated but for the first time in a long while decided to trust. The next day she came dressed in the clothes Alexander gave her. He immediately took her to a pizzeria, fed her, and again spoke about help.
“I don’t know why, but I feel I must help you. If I don’t, I’ll blame myself for the rest of my life. Lina, please stay. I see you’re not like that. You deserve more, and I’ll help you.”
“And if nothing works out? You’ll be disappointed, kick me out like a dog, and I’ll be left alone?”
Alexander darkened.
“I would never do that. I promise. I’ll help you, even if it takes longer than I think.”
She agreed. The more time they spent together, the more Galina was convinced of his sincerity. When feelings arose between them, she didn’t even notice. She loved him with all her soul. Recently he proposed, but she asked for time to think. She couldn’t say “yes” because she was afraid that, once he learned the truth about her, he’d accuse her of lying and everything would fall apart. She tested him, learned what kind of man he really was, but hid much herself. And now, faced with the open hostility of her future mother-in-law, Galina felt even greater fear.
“What, lost your tongue? Decided not to answer? How much do you want to disappear from my son’s life? Don’t overdo it with the amount — I might not pay. I have ways to get rid of you without money. Believe me.”
“I won’t ask for anything. Alexander is an adult. Love can’t be bought or sold. I truly love him with all my heart. And if he decides to part with me — then so be it.”
“What are you even talking about?” Alexander entered the room.
How did he come home from work so quietly? Galina shuddered at the sound of his voice. Yulia Borisovna suddenly went pale and tried to justify herself:
“I just wanted to check if she’d leave you or not…”
“I heard everything from the beginning, Mom. This isn’t a ‘check,’ it’s a real insult. Why do you say such harsh things to my beloved woman? I love Galina. She is my choice. If you’re ashamed of me in front of someone — say you raised an unworthy son. But don’t you dare offend my fiancée. Although Lina hasn’t said ‘yes’ to me yet.”
Galina’s heart warmed at how he called her “Lina.” Now she understood: she couldn’t wait any longer. If she wanted to keep this relationship, she had to tell the truth right now.
“Sash, I’m not offended. It’s okay.”
“But I don’t think everything is okay at all. Mom has no right to treat you like trash. You’re just as much a person as we are. And the fact that you were a bit less lucky in life…”
“Sash, I have to confess… I’ve been lying to you all this time.”
Alexander turned pale. Yulia Borisovna grew wary, watching Galina who was staring into the distance.
“Please don’t tell me you listened to your mother and now think you’re not worthy to be my fiancée,” Alexander pleaded.
He loved Galya madly. He had never met a woman with whom he felt so comfortable and easy.
“It’s not that. I already said you’re an adult man. It’s up to you whether to forgive me or leave. I’m not who I pretended to be. The day we met, I lost an important paper with a phone number. I thought I threw it away with the trash bag, so I ran out of the house in a robe and old slippers. I looked for my bag for a long time and, when I found it, rummaged through it several times. That number was very important to me. I was desperate, and then I heard your voice — like waking me from a sleep. I looked awful, but you called me beautiful. Didn’t judge me or turn away but reached out your hand to help. I found it hard to trust men after past betrayals. I was afraid to abuse your kindness, but I couldn’t resist the desire to spend time with you. To be sure of your sincerity, I kept up the act. I had to take a leave from work and delegate my duties to my deputy to be around more often. I couldn’t find the right moment to tell the truth. I’m not homeless or poor, Sash. I have my own business — small but growing. Before, I always relied only on myself, but with you, I felt the care I long awaited. You became my support, the man of my dreams. Realizing I was deceiving you made me feel sick. That’s why I didn’t say ‘yes’ right away. I wanted to confess everything first, then accept your proposal. I tested you, I challenged you. After many painful disappointments, I feared new relationships, but with you, it was different. Only now do I feel like a traitor. Can you forgive me?”
“You have your own business? What do you do?” Yulia Borisovna interrupted, unable to hide her curiosity.
Alexander shot a stern look at his mother and turned back to Galina. He took her hands, looking into her eyes. Galina trembled all over. Alexander was upset but didn’t want to lose his beloved.
“What else have you lied to me about?”
“Nothing else. Everything I told you about my childhood and current life is true. The only lie was that I’m not homeless. I just wanted to see if someone could love me truly, without interest in my wealth.”
“In that case, I can’t be angry with you about that. Of course, it hurts you didn’t trust me from the start, but I understand you. You didn’t mean to hurt me with lies — you were drowning in them yourself. Let’s agree: no more secrets between us?”
Galina smiled. They looked at each other, and it seemed they were about to kiss. But Yulia Borisovna cleared her throat, reminding them of herself:
“Galya, well, that’s a different matter! If you’re well off and not trying to take advantage of my son, I’m not against your relationship!”
Galina smiled reservedly, noting how quickly the woman had changed her opinion. Now she knew how her future mother-in-law really felt about her — and would be careful.
“Mom, please go home. Lina and I need to talk. And we’ll talk to you later about your attempt to buy me off to break up our relationship,” Alexander said, not hiding his irritation.
He didn’t cut ties with his mother, but their communication became much colder. Alexander and Galina got married. They were happy. Over time, he began helping her with the business. Their relationship grew stronger through overcoming difficulties, and their love became deeper and more sincere.