“You must be joking,” said Tatyana, staring at Ivan Petrovich with wide-open eyes.
He shook his head:
“No, I’m not joking. But I’ll give you time to think. Because this proposal really isn’t an ordinary one. I can even guess what you’re thinking right now. Weigh it all, think it over properly—I’ll come back in a week.”
Tanya followed him with a bewildered look. The words he had just spoken wouldn’t fit into her head.
She had known Ivan Petrovich for three years already. He owned a chain of gas stations and had some other businesses. Tanya worked part-time as a cleaner at one of them. He always greeted the staff warmly, spoke kindly. Overall, he was a good man.
The pay at the gas station was decent, and there were always plenty of people wanting the job. About two months ago, after cleaning, Tanya was sitting outside—her shift was ending, and she had a little free time left.
Suddenly the service door opened, and Ivan Petrovich appeared.
“Mind if I sit?”
Tanya jumped up:
“Of course, why do you even ask?”
“And why are you jumping up? Sit, I don’t bite. Nice day today.”
She smiled and sat down again.
“Yes, in spring it always feels like the weather is good.”
“That’s because everyone’s sick of winter already.”
“Maybe you’re right.”
“I’ve been meaning to ask: why are you still working as a cleaner? Larisa offered you to become an operator. The pay’s better, the work’s easier.”
“Oh, I’d gladly do it. But I can’t because of the schedule—my daughter’s small, and she’s sick. When she’s well, the neighbor helps out. But when she has a flare-up—I have to be there myself. So Larisa and I switch shifts when needed. She always helps.”
“I see… What’s wrong with your little girl?”
“Oh, don’t ask… The doctors themselves don’t really understand. She has attacks, can’t breathe, panics, all kinds of things. And the serious tests—they’re expensive. They say maybe with age it will pass. But I can’t just wait…”
“Well, hang in there. Everything will be alright.”
Tanya thanked him. And in the evening she found out that Ivan Petrovich had given her a bonus—without explanation, just gave it.
She didn’t see him again after that. And today—he came 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—almost thirty-year-old Stas. Seven of those years he had spent in a wheelchair after an accident. Doctors did everything they could, but he never stood up again. Depression, isolation, nearly complete refusal to communicate—even with his father.
And then Ivan Petrovich had an idea: to marry his son. For real. So that he would once again have a purpose, a will to live, to fight. He wasn’t sure if it would work, but decided to try. And he thought Tanya was the perfect person for such a role.
“Tanya, you’ll live in full care. You’ll have everything. Your daughter will undergo all the tests, get treatment. I’m offering a one-year contract. After a year, you’ll leave—in any case. If Stas improves—good. If not—I’ll reward you generously.”
Tanya couldn’t utter a word—she was overwhelmed with indignation.
As if reading her thoughts, Ivan Petrovich quietly added:
“Tanya, I’m asking you—help. It’s mutually beneficial. I’m not even sure my son will ever touch you. But life will be easier—you’ll be respected, officially married. Just imagine you married not for love, but for circumstances. All I ask: don’t tell anyone about our conversation.”
“Wait, Ivan Petrovich… But your Stas—does he agree?”
The man smiled sadly:
“He says he doesn’t care. I’ll tell him I have problems—business, health… The main thing is that he’s married. Truly married. He’s always trusted me. So this is… a lie for the greater good.”
Ivan Petrovich left, and Tanya sat for a long time, numb. Inside she boiled with outrage. But his direct, honest words somewhat softened the harshness of the proposal.
And if she thought about it… What wouldn’t she do for Sonechka?
She’d do anything.
And him? He was a father too. He also loved his son.
Her shift hadn’t even ended when the phone rang:
“Tanyusha, hurry! Sonechka’s having a seizure! A strong one!”
“I’m coming! Call an ambulance!”
She arrived just as the doctors’ car drove up to the gate.
“Where have you been wandering, mother?” the doctor asked sternly.
“I was at work…”
The seizure really was severe.
“Maybe take her to the hospital?” Tanya asked timidly.
The doctor, who was visiting for the first time, waved wearily:
“What’s the point? They won’t help there. Just stress her out more. Ah, if only you could take her to the capital—to a good clinic, real specialists.”
Forty minutes later the doctors left.
Tanya picked up the phone and dialed Ivan Petrovich:
“I agree. Sonechka had another seizure.”
The next day they were leaving.
Ivan Petrovich himself came for them—with a young, neatly shaved man.
“Tanya, take only what’s necessary. We’ll buy the rest.”
She nodded.
Sonia curiously examined the big, shiny car.
Ivan Petrovich squatted in front of her:
“Like it?”
“Very much!”
“Want to sit up front? Then you’ll see everything.”
“Can I? I really want to!”
The girl looked at her mother.
“If the police see, they’ll fine us,” Tanya said strictly.
Ivan Petrovich laughed and opened the door wide:
“Hop in, Sonia! And if anyone wants to fine us—we’ll fine them instead!”
The closer they got to the house, the more nervous Tanya became.
“God, why did I agree? What if he’s strange, aggressive?..”
Ivan Petrovich noticed her worry.
“Tanya, calm down. The wedding’s a week away. You can change your mind anytime. And one more thing… Stas is a good guy, smart, but something inside him broke. You’ll see for yourself.”
Tanya got out of the car, helped her daughter out, and froze, staring at the house. It wasn’t just a building—it was a real castle. And Sonechka, unable to hold back, shouted happily:
“Mom, are we going to live like in a fairy tale now?!”
Ivan Petrovich laughed, picked the girl up in his arms:
“Like it?”
“Very much!”
Until the wedding, Tanya and Stas only met a few times—at dinners. The young man barely ate, barely spoke. He just sat there, physically present, but his mind—somewhere far away. Tanya carefully observed him. Outwardly he was handsome, but pale, as if he hadn’t seen the sun in ages. She felt: like her, he lived with pain. And she was grateful that he didn’t mention the upcoming marriage.
On the wedding day, it felt like a hundred people bustled around Tanya. The dress was delivered the night before. When she saw it, she just sank into a chair:
“How much must this cost?”
Ivan Petrovich smiled:
“Tanya, you’re too impressionable. Better not to know. But look what else I have.”
He took out a miniature copy of the wedding dress.
“Sonia, shall we try it on?”
The little girl squealed so loudly they had to cover their ears. Then came the fitting—little princess walking around the room proudly, glowing with happiness.
At some point Tanya turned and saw Stas. He stood in his doorway, watching Sonia. In his eyes—a shadow of a smile.
Tanya walked into the room. Stas was sitting in the dark. She switched on the light and began clearing the bottles from the table.
— What are you doing?
— You won’t be drinking anymore.
— And why not?
— Because I’m your wife. And I don’t like it when you drink.
Stas looked confused.
— Well, that won’t last long… Sonya is healthy now. Which means you don’t have any reason to stay with a cripple anymore.
Tanya straightened up.
— Did you mean to say — with an idiot? Stas, I thought you were strong, smart, that you could handle it. Was I really that wrong?
He lowered his head.
— I’m sorry… I guess I couldn’t handle it.
— But I’m home now. Maybe we can try again?
The year was drawing to a close. Ivan Petrovich was worried: Stas had only just begun to stand with the help of a walker. The doctors said he would soon be walking — and maybe even running again.
But Tanya… it was time for her to leave.
— Should I offer her more money? he timidly asked his wife.
At dinner, Tanya appeared with Sonya and Stas in his wheelchair.
— Dad, we have news for you, Stas said.
Ivan Petrovich tensed, glancing at Tanya.
— You’re leaving, aren’t you?
Tanya and Stas exchanged a look. She shook her head.
— Not exactly.
— Stop torturing me then!
— You’re going to be a grandfather soon. Sonya will have a little brother… or sister.
Ivan Petrovich fell silent. Then suddenly he jumped up, embraced all three of them, and began to cry. Tightly, as if he were afraid this was only a dream.
He cried — from happiness, from relief, from the feeling that his family had finally become real.
