It was an ordinary weekend, a gorgeous summer day. The Miller family was having breakfast on the terrace of their small but incredibly cozy and well-appointed suburban home. The head of the household, Robert, was sipping aromatic brewed coffee with steaming, fluffy pancakes and reading the morning paper. The lady of the house, Sarah, was eating oatmeal, while their beloved daughter, twenty-year-old Chloe, sipped apple juice and listlessly picked at her plate with a spoon. Her mother glanced at her child; she didn't like the moody face or the dark circles under her eyes, and she began her usual lecture:
"Chloe, honey, eat a proper breakfast for once. You're living on juice alone. You've thinned out so much with these diets of yours—you're looking like a ghost! You'll end up getting sick. Take a pancake, or at least have a couple of spoonfuls of oatmeal."
The girl scoffed.
"Mom! Stop treating me like a baby! I'm an adult—look, I have a wedding right around the corner! I'm not eating your buttery oatmeal; I won't fit into my dress! God forbid Ethan stops loving me. He only likes thin girls!"
Sarah threw up her hands.
"Oh, sweetheart, you're so head-over-heels for this Ethan of yours that you don't notice a thing! You shouldn't rush into this wedding. You've only been dating for three months—is that really enough time? Your father and I, on the other hand, have been together since high school..."
Chloe made a face.
"Oh, Mom, don't start that old record again. I've heard it a hundred times! It sounds so boring—dating for that many years! You'd get sick of each other a dozen times over! My Ethan is so handsome, he looks like that famous actor, Chris Evans, and he runs his own creative business. I'm so lucky. All the girls in my program are jealous. He's not some snot-nosed classmate; he's a real businessman!"
Sarah began to grow angry.
"Chloe, listen to me for once. Your father is in business too, but it's all simple and straightforward—he sells office equipment. Everything's aboveboard, no tricks. But what exactly does your fiancé do? Tell me, specifically, what does he do? It all seems so shady and unclear! It's just glitter and show. He fills people's heads with nonsense, and they're fools enough to pay him for it. Ugh, it's all so sleazy!"
Chloe, with tears welling in her eyes, shot back:
"You just don't understand anything! He runs trainings and coaching sessions—he helps people find their path in life, improve their self-esteem. He has a full house every week, by the way, and some really wealthy people come to his intensives! Plus, he deals in cryptocurrency. It's super popular and promising right now! We live in a world of cutting-edge technology, but you're still judging everything by old standards. To you, business is just selling tomatoes at a market stall! Nobody makes money that way anymore! Dad, you say something to Mom!"
Robert glanced lovingly at his two dear women and said peaceably:
"Ladies, don't fight! Sarah, why are you picking on the girl? Personally, I liked Ethan. He's sharp, ambitious, he knows what's current. Things really have changed a lot. Young people know how to make money in completely different ways now. Judging by his car and his clothes, he's not living paycheck to paycheck. Our Chloe loves him—let them get married."
Sarah fell silent and pursed her lips. To herself, she thought: "Fine, I'll figure out a way to test you, future son-in-law!"
After breakfast, their daughter flitted off to meet her boyfriend.
***
Chloe was simply head over heels for her fiancé. Ethan courted her so beautifully, always coming up with something interesting. Today, for instance, they'd agreed to go to a lake outside town to swim and sunbathe. Chloe tossed a towel, sunscreen, and sunglasses into her beach bag, suspecting nothing. But when Ethan drove her there, she gasped. The guy had set up a truly heavenly spot! He'd laid out a blanket, pulled chilled drinks and fruit from a basket, and even ice cream! From the trunk, he hauled out a giant inflatable two-person float with special pockets on the sides for their glasses. The couple took their cocktails and drifted down the river. It was so romantic: the splash of cool, refreshing water, the breeze, her beloved by her side—Chloe was simply blissful. It seemed to her that it would always be this way: easy and magical. It couldn't be any other way—they were young, they loved each other, and their whole life lay ahead of them.
***
Meanwhile, Sarah and her husband stayed home that day. With Robert's demanding work schedule, days off were rare, and the couple treasured every moment they spent together. They sat embraced on the terrace for a long time, reminiscing about their own high school and college years. And they had plenty to remember—Chloe's parents had been inseparable since their own school days. Sarah had grown up in a somewhat poor family. Her father was a shop teacher, and her mother was a cleaner at a roadside diner. They both earned barely enough to scrape by. Her mother wore the same worn-out coat and leaky boots for ten years, and her father scrimped on everything. On the table, there was almost always fried potatoes, macaroni with pickled vegetables, sausage and treats only on major holidays. But her parents were good, hardworking people. Her mother picked up odd jobs whenever she could; they made do. They constantly economized on themselves, but always tried to buy their only daughter new clothes, even if cheap, so she wouldn't stand out. Her mother was a good seamstress, and if she managed to buy an inexpensive cut of fabric, Sarah would often run around in summer in dresses and sundresses her mother had made.
Their daughter loved her parents dearly and tried not to fuss or ask for toys and new things, understanding how hard it was for them. The girl saw how her family struggled, and from a young age, she decided she would become a top student, get a good degree, move to the city, and never repeat her parents' fate. That became her goal, and she pursued it relentlessly from the first grade. So she made her parents proud with her grades and certificates. She excelled in school and was a source of pride for the teachers, though not very popular with her peers, who considered her a boring nerd.
There was one other outcast in the class, a boy named Robert. He came from a troubled family; he was raised by his elderly grandmother, while his neglectful parents were always off on drinking binges. They didn't care where their son was or whether he had eaten—their only goal was to find a cheap bottle of vodka and get drunk. So the boy was shy, wore hand-me-downs, and barely managed to get by in school. The other boys constantly picked on him, teased him for being poor, and also mocked him because he had a severe lisp. He couldn't even pronounce his own name properly. When the teacher called him to the blackboard, the class would snicker and shout, "Oh, here we go! Miller, spit out your porridge before you answer, or else we won't understand a word!" Because of the constant taunting, Robert was silent and withdrawn, hardly speaking to anyone. He often skipped class and ran away from school.
One day during break, the class teacher came up to Sarah and asked her: "Sarah, my dear, you're our head girl and top student. I have a big favor to ask. Could you take Robert Miller under your wing? I know there's potential in him—I can feel it. He could study well, but you see how it is. No one looks after him, and he gets bullied. Maybe you can help him catch up. I'm afraid he won't pass his exams and will be held back a year. I feel sorry for him."
The girl wasn't thrilled with the proposal—she had no desire to deal with this pimply-faced quiet kid—but as a responsible and dutiful person, she couldn't refuse her teacher and promised to help. That same day, after class, she approached the boy and said briskly:
"All right, Robert. Mrs. Johnson asked me to help you with math and literature, so whether you like it or not, you're coming to my place to study. I'll help you as best I can. Otherwise, you'll be held back a year, and your bullies will just be happy."
The boy looked at her intently and asked softly, "If you promise not to make fun of me, I'll come."
And so they became friends. Sarah threw herself into the task so energetically that by the end of the year, Robert had gone from a C student to a solid B, surprising everyone. It turned out he was actually smart and bright—he was just incredibly embarrassed by his speech impediment and his poverty. But Sarah encouraged him to fight back:
"Robert, don't give up! I brought some special books from the library. We'll do exercises to help fix your speech. Who knows, it might work! And stop mumbling. Don't be afraid of that jerk Jackson! He only looks tough—he's just a fat bully. It doesn't matter whether you beat him or not, the important thing is to stand your ground and not give in! Show him you're not scared and push back! You're a strong guy! And as for clothes, we'll figure something out. Money's tight in my family too, but my mom's a great seamstress. If you can get some fabric, she can make you a couple of shirts that'll look just as good as store-bought ones. And we'll find you some shoes at the weekend sale. I manage, you see! I don't shop at fancy boutiques either."
The boy suddenly took her hand and looked at her warmly: "Thank you, Sarah. You're my one true friend! You're the only one who understands me, who isn't ashamed of me. You're always looking out for me. My parents haven't wanted me for years! It's so unfair! And Grandma is too old now; she can't take care of me by herself. They should never have had me."
The girl cheered him up: "Hey, don't be down on yourself! School will end soon. Let's apply to college together—it'll be easier that way. I don't really get along with the other girls either. I know they think I'm a bore. What am I supposed to talk to them about? Fancy clothes, designer jeans that I don't have? Or where they went on vacation while I was picking strawberries with my mom to help the family? They'd just laugh at me. But with you, I feel easy and calm. You're like me. I've seen you hauling boxes at the market in the evenings to earn some money. We're cut from the same cloth. We need to stick together. I try to take things with humor. So I didn't go to the beach this year—big deal! I got just as tan anyway. So you should ignore them all and believe in yourself! We'll get through this."
Thanks to Sarah's care and attention, the boy started to lisp much less. He even managed to stand up to the class bully, Jackson! He overcame his fear and grabbed the aggressive kid by the collar, shouting loudly: "You touch me or Sarah again, and I'll beat you up! Got that?"
Jackson was taken aback but backed down. And most importantly, Robert finished school without a single C! In math, literature, and physics, he even got As. He could solve any equation or problem effortlessly. Now his classmates would only smirk at Sarah and Robert as they passed, whispering: "Sitting in a tree! K-I-S-S-I-N-G! Two boring nerds found each other!"
But the two of them ignored it and kept their eyes on their goals.
***
Chloe's parents had long since come to consider Robert part of the family. Despite their own financial struggles, they never minded giving him a bowl of soup or a plate of potatoes, and he never left their home hungry. On the contrary, Sarah's mother encouraged the boy and praised his academic achievements, understanding how much it meant to him—especially since his own miserable parents couldn't have cared less about their son's fate. And Sarah's father was glad his daughter was safe; she wasn't out running around at night, she was always with someone responsible, so they always welcomed Robert.
***
College came next—a tough time in a big city with no financial support. Other kids' parents sent them money and huge bags of food, but they had nothing. It was during this period that Robert discovered his entrepreneurial streak. He so badly wanted to ease his girlfriend's—now his fiancée's—burden that he started doing a little trading. On weekends, he'd go to the wholesale market, buy popular student items in bulk, and then sell them at a small markup. The profit was modest, but it was enough to cover food and clothes for both of them.
Sarah wasn't idle either. She tutored, wrote essays and papers for less-diligent students for a fee, and also got heavily involved in the drama club. She loved doing makeup, acting in student productions, and performing at concerts. It was her favorite hobby, her escape—she threw herself completely into each role.
So they walked through life hand in hand, never apart for a moment. They had a modest wedding after finally receiving their diplomas—a shared victory! After university, they lived in a family dormitory for a while. Robert went into business, found success, and over time they bought an apartment, then a house, a car, and raised their daughter. Sarah dedicated herself to her family, only continuing to tutor as a hobby. Chloe grew up clever and bright, did well in school, and got into a prestigious university on her own. Her parents adored her and doted on her endlessly.
Life flew by like a single instant. Over the years, Sarah had become so intertwined with her husband that they could anticipate each other's moods and thoughts, truly functioning as one. She never once regretted living her life with Robert. You couldn't find a more devoted and faithful husband anywhere. Even in their youth, they never had stormy passions or fiery declarations; they simply fit together like two pieces of a single puzzle. They shared one internal world, from their school days to the present.
But on the question of their daughter's marriage, their views had, for the first time, diverged drastically. Sarah didn't fully understand why she so disliked her future son-in-law. But she had taken an immediate dislike to him—Ethan wouldn't look her in the eye, he was evasive, clearly hiding something. And their daughter was wearing blinders! Well, she was a foolish girl in love, but her husband was being just as foolish! He had sided with their daughter and was eagerly helping plan the wedding. He'd already picked out a restaurant and finalized the menu. For some reason, he saw in Ethan a potential successor and hoped his son-in-law would gradually take over the business.
But Sarah wasn't about to give up so easily—it wasn't in her nature. She set to work. Time was running short; only a month remained until the wedding. She borrowed theatrical makeup from friends at the drama studio, a long black wig, green contact lenses, and a special dental appliance that changed the shape of her face and her speech. She bought a long, colorful robe. After three hours of work, in place of the well-groomed, fair-haired forty-five-year-old woman stood an old fortune-teller, the spitting image. Sarah had also been researching online. She found the legal address of the company where Ethan supposedly worked—a place with the mysterious name "Path to You." But everything there was shrouded in shadows. Their intensives and trainings were held in various rented spaces around town, while the company's listed address was in an industrial park on the outskirts. Sarah drove there decisively, concocting a story on the way about how she was feeling down and needed to boost her self-esteem. All the services were paid; she had to bring a considerable amount of money. It all felt less like a serious organization and more like a scam.
As she walked down the hallway in disguise, she saw a radiant young woman—around Chloe's age—in a very short dress fly out of an office, followed by a gleeful Ethan. They embraced and started kissing passionately, cooing to each other and oblivious to the world around them. Ethan was whispering sweet nothings, while the young woman giggled with delight. The blood rushed to Sarah's head.
"You scoundrel! So you're cheating on my daughter? You good-for-nothing! Your wedding is right around the corner, and you're carrying on here! Just wait! So this is what my future son-in-law does at work!"
Pretending to walk past, shuffling her feet loudly like an elderly person, Sarah suddenly stopped, looked Ethan in the eye, and said hoarsely:
"Greetings, good sir! I see great happiness awaits you! You have an interesting fate! Let me tell your fortune—you won't regret it. What was, what will be—I'll tell you all!"
Ethan was taken aback: "Who are you, and who are you here to see? How did you even get in?"
Sarah answered confidently: "I'm a seer, Madame Zara. You haven't heard of me? I decided to sign up for your trainings. I help others, give my all, but my own life is a mess! I've lost all hope. Maybe you can help me? I've heard good things about your organization—people find meaning in life. They say you're top specialists. So, what do you say? Do you want to know what awaits you? I won't even take money—I'll tell you everything, as if you were my own flesh and blood."
Ethan was intrigued, especially since the young woman beside him was watching with wide eyes and obvious interest. He waved his hand: "Sure! I don't believe in fortune-telling, but it'll be interesting to hear what you have to say! At least I'll get a laugh."
The woman could barely restrain herself. She was furious, like a tigress, and thought: "Oh, you'll laugh all right."
She took his hand, rolled her eyes as a proper fortune-teller would, stayed silent for a long moment, then suddenly declared: "You're getting married soon—but not to this one. To a different girl. Her name is Chloe. She's wealthy; her parents have money. You've already booked the restaurant. Chloe loves you—oh, how she loves you! But she's not your destiny. You don't want her. There will be no happiness for you together. That's what I see."
Ethan's face changed, and he shouted: "Who are you, old woman? How do you know all this?"
He suddenly gave her a strange look. Her appearance seemed somehow familiar. He lunged at her and tore off her wig. Sarah spat out the dental appliance, shed her heavy robe, and declared triumphantly:
"Well, caught you, future son-in-law? Not only is your company a sham—I've checked it all out; you're just swindling people for money—but you're also cheating on my daughter with this woman? Have you lost all decency?"
The young woman standing next to him burst into tears and slapped Ethan hard across the face: "You bastard! So you've been singing about love to me every day, but you're engaged to someone else? You'll pay for this! I know better than anyone that all your trainings are just a con. And now everyone else will know too. I'll make sure of it! Maybe this will teach you to mess with girls' heads!"
She ran off in tears. Ethan stood in embarrassed silence, rubbing his stinging cheek, and started to weakly make excuses: "You've got it all wrong. I love Chloe—honestly. That was nothing, it didn't mean anything. I'm sorry."
Sarah said coldly: "Get out of our lives. There won't be a wedding, is that clear? You'll tell Chloe yourself, and no lies! I don't ever want to see you again. And you should be grateful I'm not reporting your shady dealings to the proper authorities."
With no other choice, Ethan had to confess his infidelity to Chloe. The wedding was called off. Though she had loved Ethan, she couldn't forgive such betrayal. It was sickening. If he was cheating and sleeping with someone else before they were even married, what would happen later? How could you start a family when the trust was gone?
***
Chloe suffered terribly. She couldn't recover from the betrayal for a long time. She had dreamed so much of a strong, close-knit family like her parents'. Of walking through life hand in hand with someone.
But time is the best healer. After graduating, she landed a job at a good private company as an economist. It was there, a year later, that she found her true love. Roman was her boss. From the very first day, he had been drawn to Chloe but had long hesitated to say anything or even hint at it. He saw how she immediately shut down any attempts by male colleagues to get to know her. She was always thoughtful and a little sad, but also very responsible and diligent. Roman was ten years older than Chloe. He had inherited his business from his father and managed it skillfully. His personal life, however, had never worked out. He dreamed of finding someone like his mother—someone who could run a household, be a friend, and be a lover. But he kept running into women who were only interested in money, demanding gifts and fancy restaurants. The years passed; his parents had passed away, and Roman lived alone in a huge mansion, save for a cleaning lady and his fluffy cat, Simon. Sometimes he didn't even want to go home—there was no one waiting for him.
But Chloe turned everything upside down in his heart. It was her serious, always slightly sad gray eyes that had burrowed deep into his soul. Whenever she brought reports for him to sign, his heart would skip a beat! He could barely breathe; nothing like this had ever happened to Roman before. He probably never would have dared approach the unapproachable beauty if not for one incident.
Roman suddenly fell very ill—a severe case of strep throat. He didn't even have the strength to go get medicine. He called the doctor to his home, that was it. His fever was sky-high, and his whole body ached. At the end of the workday, his secretary, Linda, walked into the office and asked: "Girls, our director is sick. He'll be out for a while. Could one of you stop by his house to drop off some documents for him to sign? I know it's my responsibility, but I have to pick up my child from kindergarten. Can anyone help out?"
Then the normally quiet Chloe suddenly said softly: "I can. It's on my way anyway. Give me the address."
Chloe herself didn't know why she volunteered to help. She just wanted to. It was not at all on her way; she had lied and would have to drive across town to the countryside.
Actually, Roman was quite attractive to Chloe, not just as her boss. He was fair, balanced, never took his frustrations out on his employees, and treated even the cleaning lady with respect, calling her his "cleanliness fairy." So when she heard about her boss's illness, she felt a strong urge to visit him and help if she could.
Chloe took a taxi to his house. The mansion was impressive and immaculately kept. She rang the bell, knocked, but no one answered. She called his phone, but there was no response. Alarmed, Chloe pushed the heavy door, and it opened. She entered and started walking through the rooms, calling out: "Roman! Are you here? It's Chloe Miller. Linda asked me to bring some documents for you to sign. No one answered."
Suddenly, she heard a weak moan. She rushed upstairs. In the bedroom, sprawled across a huge bed, lay the director, sweating and delirious. He was clearly in a fever. Various pills and bottles were scattered on the nightstand. Frightened, Chloe touched his forehead; it was blazing hot. She dropped the folder of documents and her bag on the floor and rushed to his aid.
She made vinegar-and-water compresses for him, the way her mother used to do when she was a child, and wiped him down, stripping him to his underwear. She found a fever-reducing syrup and practically forced it down his throat. She repeated it three hours later. She couldn't leave her boss in this state, so she called her mother, explained the situation, and Sarah sent their family doctor to Roman's address. The doctor examined him, gave him a shot of antibiotics and more fever reducer, and left with a treatment plan. He assured Chloe that the patient would feel better in a few hours. She stayed to watch over him.
By early morning, Roman finally felt better. He woke up and couldn't believe his eyes. In the armchair beside his bed, Chloe was dozing, her face worried and tense. He had thought the conversations with her during the night were dreams. His throat and chest were still very sore, and he could barely speak: "Chloe! My dear! How did you get here? This is a miracle! I never dared to dream of such happiness."
She immediately perked up: "Oh, you're awake! Thank goodness! Linda sent me yesterday with documents for you to sign. I arrived, and you were unconscious! I was so scared! I called my mom, and she sent our family doctor. He told me to stay and watch over you until you were better. So I've been guarding your sleep! Well, since you're feeling better, I should probably go. Oh, I made you some chicken soup—it's in the kitchen. Please eat something warm. And here's the doctor's prescription. If you want, I can run and get it."
Roman couldn't take his eyes off her: "Thank you, Chloe! You're my savior! And I'm not eating that soup without you. So let's have breakfast together!"
Chloe was flustered but agreed. She was suddenly starving after everything that had happened. The two ate together, chatted amiably, and soon slipped into a more informal way of speaking. As she was leaving, Chloe shyly said: "Get better. If you want, I can come by tomorrow after work?"
Roman answered joyfully: "I dream of you never leaving this house and becoming its mistress! I like you very much, Chloe. I'll be waiting."
And so their relationship began. Roman was nothing like the passionate, intense Ethan. He radiated strength, confidence, and calm; with him, she truly felt like she was behind a stone wall.
A year later, they got married. Chloe moved into his country mansion. Some time after, she discovered she was pregnant. Her husband and parents were overjoyed—they had long dreamed of grandchildren—though Chloe was a bit daunted when she found out she was having twins. But thank God, the pregnancy went smoothly, and she carried them to term. Her feet swelled badly, and by the end she could barely see around her huge belly.
The time for the birth approached. Roman, ever the responsible father-to-be, had thought of everything. At the elite maternity hospital, a comfortable private suite awaited her, and a top obstetrician was on call to deliver the babies. Roman had already set up the nursery, bought a fancy expensive stroller and a lovely crib, and all the necessary first baby things. He no longer stayed late at work; he flew home, gave her foot massages, and rubbed her belly, trying to ease her discomfort.
But then, just at the wrong moment, her husband had to go out of town for a few days on a business trip. A very lucrative deal was in the works, promising a big payoff if signed. The director couldn't trust it to anyone else and decided to go himself. Roman was terribly worried.
"Chloe, my love, why don't you check into the maternity hospital today, just to be safe? I know you still have three weeks, but still. It's winter, and I won't be here. What will you do alone? They have a TV in the room, a shower, and doctors on staff around the clock. I'd feel so much better. Especially since we're having two—it's a big deal."
His wife embraced him, stretching awkwardly around her huge belly, and reassured him: "Don't worry, everything will be fine. I feel great. My stomach doesn't hurt. I'm eating for three; I'll pop soon like a balloon. You'll be back the day after tomorrow. I don't want to go to the hospital—home is so nice. I'll watch my favorite movies, sleep on the couch. You know how hard it is for me to find a comfortable position that doesn't make the babies start a dance party inside. And besides, my mom promised to come by tomorrow. If anything happens, she can even stay the night. So go and take care of your business! I made you some sandwiches and coffee—they're in the kitchen. Take them with you in case you get hungry on the road."
Roman knelt, kissed her belly, pressed his ear to it, and whispered: "Bye-bye, little ones! Daddy will be home soon. Stay quiet in there!"
Chloe laughed; she was so touched by her husband's tender care.
She saw him off and decided to rest. She settled comfortably against her pillows and put on a melodrama. But then her phone rang. It was her old college friend, Lily. Chloe was happy to hear from her, and they started chatting away. Lily marveled: "Wow! You've really done well for yourself! You married well, and now you're having twins! Not like that ex of yours, Ethan. What a loser!"
Something stirred in Chloe's heart. "What about him? I haven't run into him once since we broke up."
Lily was eager to share the gossip: "His company went bust, like a soap bubble. Not only that, but he got tied up in lawsuits. For a while, he was drinking heavily, but then he got himself together. Now he drives a little delivery truck, delivering mail around town. He lives with his sick mother. I heard she has a heart condition and needs surgery. But he doesn't have the money. That's the story. Well, who's to blame? He ruined his own life! He shouldn't have been running around on you."
Chloe felt a sudden pang of sadness: "I guess so, but I still feel sorry for him. Your first love is the strongest, no matter what. Well, Lily, it was good to hear from you. Bye!"
Chloe got up, walked to the window, and gasped. Just an hour ago, it had been calm and sunny; now a fierce blizzard was raging, and she couldn't see a thing.
"What about my love? God, let him make it there safely! If anything happens to him, I couldn't bear it," she prayed.
She grabbed her phone and frantically tried to call her husband. She needed to hear his voice, to calm down knowing he was all right. But she only got "subscriber unavailable." She grew more and more anxious, pacing the room, working herself into a state. The road in such a storm! With all this worry, her stomach began to hurt, and she found it hard to breathe. Her back ached fiercely; contractions were starting. Then suddenly, she felt a warm gush down her legs. Terrified, she realized her water had broken. She dialed her husband over and over, but he was still unreachable. Panicking, she called her mother. She cried out, her voice strange and wild:
"Mom! My water broke! I'm going into labor! Roman just left for his business trip two hours ago! I can't reach him—he must not have any reception on the road! He begged me to go to the hospital today! He had a feeling! And I was so stupid, I didn't listen! Mom, I'm scared! What should I do?"
Sarah tried to calm her daughter while her own heart sank: "Don't panic! I'm calling an ambulance! They'll be there soon!"
Then she called her daughter back: "The ambulance is on its way! Pull yourself together! How do you feel? Are the contractions frequent? Your father and I are leaving too! We might get there just as fast! Hold on, breathe deeply! We're right here! Everything will be fine! Get your insurance card and all your documents ready!"
Chloe sobbed with fear and pain, wailing: "Mommy, come quickly! I'm scared! Am I going to die? Did you see the snowstorm out there? What if the ambulance can't get through? Oww! It hurts so much!"
Sarah ran around the house shouting to her husband: "Robert, quick, go start the car! Chloe is in labor! Roman is away! We have to go right now! I've already called an ambulance!"
Robert raced off like a jet to the garage. But he saw what the weather was like outside and ran back in: "We won't get past the driveway! The storm is terrible! Oh Lord, everything's happening at once! We have to do something!"
Sarah threw on some clothes and ran out to the yard. The snow was blowing so hard she couldn't see a foot in front of her. She grabbed a huge shovel and started frantically clearing a path: "I'll clear the road myself, I'll walk if I have to, but I'll help my daughter! Help me—stop fussing! Our daughter's in trouble! This is all my fault! We should have made her go to the hospital with Roman! Or at least I should have gone to her today instead of tomorrow! Then she wouldn't be alone!"
They worked together, clearing a path from their property and loading the shovels into the car, knowing they'd likely need them again.
***
Meanwhile, Chloe writhed in pain, praying the ambulance would arrive in time to get her to the hospital. Finally, she heard a car honking outside. With the last of her strength, she dressed and crawled to the door, bent double with pain. She let the paramedics in and collapsed on the steps: "Oh, God! Ahhh! Help me! I'm dying!"
The paramedic didn't hesitate. He rushed to the woman in labor and, with the help of an orderly, carried her to the bed. He laid down a sheet and tried to calm her: "Okay, take it easy! What's your name? How old are you? How far along are you? How often are the contractions? When did your water break? Don't panic—I'm here. I'll help you. Everything's going to be fine. Breathe out, good, now breathe out again. Now calm down and answer my questions."
Chloe gathered herself and told him everything. The doctor examined her and shook his head: "Okay, you're at four centimeters. Labor is progressing quickly. You're going to deliver here—we won't make it to the hospital, that's for sure. Why did you wait so long? You should have been at the hospital by now."
Seeing the woman's terrified, almost frantic eyes, he calmed her again: "I'll say it again: everything is going according to plan. There are no complications. Just listen to me, don't get hysterical, and together we'll get through this. Okay, Irene, get everything ready. Bring the kit. Chloe, where can we get some clean sheets and boiled water? There, there, don't cry. Breathe out, again, breathe out. Good, hold my hand! Think about the babies—they're having a hard time too. You need to help them come into the world. There you go, good girl. Now, again: breathe in, breathe out, and push!"
Everything went surprisingly smoothly. Within an hour, Chloe gave birth to two babies, a boy and a girl, one after the other, just minutes apart. One cried out immediately, but the doctor worked on the second for a long time, clearing his airways, shaking him, rubbing him down. Finally, the little one let out a weak wail. The paramedic exhaled: "Whew, you gave me a scare, little man! Chloe, stop crying! Everything's fine! You delivered, and the babies are alive and healthy! The little boy is a bit weak, though. We need to go to the hospital anyway, for you and the babies to be checked out. I did what I could. Now, where are the diapers and baby things? Do you have anything?"
Chloe grabbed the paramedic's hand: "Thank you! Thank you so much! I don't know how to thank you! You're a lifesaver. If it weren't for you… I have everything ready for them. It's all in that dresser drawer. Please, wrap them warmly—it's so cold out."
Just then, her phone rang. It was Roman: "Chloe! My love! What happened? The reception on the road was terrible! How are you? I saw all your missed calls!"
Chloe burst into tears again: "I gave birth—a boy and a girl! It started early, at home! Thank God the ambulance got here. The paramedic, his name is Alan, delivered the babies. They're taking me to the hospital now."
Roman nearly shouted: "Oh my God! I told you to check in early! I should have insisted you go! Hold on! I'm dropping everything and coming back! I'll be there tomorrow! To hell with the business! Thank you, sweetheart, for the babies! I can't believe I'm a father! Put the paramedic on—I'll tell him which hospital to take you to. I already made arrangements; they're expecting you."
Chloe was carried out on a stretcher into the ambulance, and they drove off. The nurse held the babies. Finally, Chloe could breathe a sigh of relief. The worst was over. Soon she and the babies would be in a comfortable room, the boy would be checked out—everything would be fine.
Her mother called: "Sweetheart! How are you? Where are you? I've been calling and calling! Sometimes the line's dead, sometimes it's busy! I'm losing my mind! Your father and I are trying to dig ourselves out—we can't even get to the main road! It's chaos out here! I don't know how we'll get to you all the way out there!"
Chloe answered: "Mom! I've already given birth! You're a grandmother! Congratulations to Dad too! The paramedic delivered them. They're taking me and the babies to the hospital. The little boy is weak. So you and Dad go straight there! Write down the address: 6 Oak Street, Maternity Wing."
Sarah wiped the snow from her face and burst into tears so loudly that Robert nearly had a heart attack and dropped his shovel, fearing the worst: "What is it? Tell me! What's wrong with Chloe?"
Sarah threw herself at her husband, knocking him into the snow: "She had the babies! You're a grandfather! Thank God! A boy and a girl! She said the girl is fine, but the boy is weak. They're taking her to the hospital on Oak Street by ambulance! Thank God! It's all over! Let's go to the hospital on Oak Street, quick! That's where they're taking her!"
Robert was overjoyed. He squeezed his wife so hard she could barely breathe and kissed her over and over.
Unbelievable! Just yesterday, it felt like he was a college student himself, and now he was a grandfather! Two grandchildren at once! His poor daughter! He couldn't imagine how she had managed all this alone.
But as it turned out, there was still more to come.
***
On the way to the hospital, the ambulance got stuck in a snowdrift. The roads hadn't been cleared. The driver and paramedics spent a whole hour trying to free the vehicle themselves. They sweated and exhausted themselves, but the wheels only dug deeper. They had to turn off the engine, as it was overheating. The driver tried to contact dispatch to report the emergency, while a terrified Chloe called her mother and Roman to tell them what had happened. Roman frantically tried to arrange a tow truck or a snowplow. He was beside himself with worry, blaming himself for leaving her alone. He knew the birth was close! What kind of man was he to leave her like that?
Sarah and her husband, having barely recovered from their joy, were now in a panic again. They kept asking the paramedic exactly where they were stuck, trying to figure out how to help their daughter. The ambulance was getting cold. Chloe began to shiver. She clutched her babies to her heart; they just blinked and moved their little lips. She started to panic: "Are they going to get us out soon? What if they don't? What will happen to me and the babies? The doctor said my son is weak! We'll freeze out here! Is there any gas left? Can we heat the cabin? Why am I so unlucky? It's one thing after another, all on the same day! My husband told me to go to the hospital, but no, I didn't listen!"
Three hours passed. It was dark outside. Still no help. Even the usually calm paramedic started to get nervous. He was on the radio, cursing, frustrated by the indifference of the city services and officials. They had reported their situation everywhere!
Then, in the middle of the road, they saw headlights. A small van was approaching. The ambulance driver waved frantically for help. A young man got out, wearing a heavy hooded jacket. He listened to the situation and immediately began helping to push the ambulance. They tried pushing it forward, backward, but nothing worked. Realizing they wouldn't get it out that way, he attached a tow rope from his van to the ambulance and began slowly pulling. They struggled for another half hour, but finally, they managed to haul the ambulance out. The van driver didn't abandon them. He towed them all the way to the maternity hospital, since the ambulance had run out of gas. Through his window, the man saw the medics rush out, and the woman with the babies was wheeled inside. Only then did he wave and drive away. It was late by then.
The man was Ethan. Yes, Chloe's former fiancé. By a twist of fate, he had been the one driving along that empty, snowy road in his old delivery van, returning home after delivering mail and packages.
Ethan had no idea who was in the ambulance; he helped simply out of kindness—he felt sorry for the woman in labor and the babies caught in such a terrible situation. He caught a severe cold, got soaking wet, and collapsed into bed utterly exhausted. That night, he developed a high fever. His elderly mother couldn't bring it down on her own. The next day, he ended up in the hospital himself—he had pneumonia and would have to stay for a while.
***
Chloe and the babies were examined, and everything was fine. Her parents arrived, and in the morning, her beloved husband. The windowsill was covered in bouquets of flowers, and they brought Chloe all sorts of treats. The strict doctor, however, put a stop to it, confiscating the flowers and the citrus fruits, explaining what was allowed for a new mother and what was not. Everyone was relieved it had all ended well and congratulated the new mother. They took turns holding the babies and cooing over them. Chloe kept insisting: "We have to find that driver who pulled us out and thank him from the bottom of our hearts! If it weren't for him, we would have frozen out there by morning! Dad, can you help me find him? You have connections..."
But she didn't need to search. A nurse, who had overheard the conversation, said: "Oh, you don't need to look for him. He's right here, in the next wing. He was brought in last night with pneumonia. Everyone already knows about it—something like that doesn't happen every day! You're like celebrities around here now; it's just like a movie!"
Chloe immediately sat up: "Mom, Roman, can you stay with the babies? It's still an hour until the next feeding. I'll be right back. I can go through the indoor passage. If anyone asks, say I went to the bathroom, or they'll yell at me. I'm not supposed to leave the maternity wing. I just want to say thank you—that's all! He saved our lives, and now he's the one sick! He must have caught a bad cold."
Still in her hospital gown and slippers, Chloe snuck through the corridors, found out which room the man was in from the nurse, and walked in. She was stunned. It was Ethan! Her ex-fiancé, her first love.
He saw her and asked in surprise: "Chloe? I don't believe it! What are you doing here? Dressed like that?"
She sat down on a chair: "So you're the one who saved me and the babies! I can't believe it! Thank you, Ethan! From the bottom of my heart! If it weren't for you, we would have frozen out there on that snowy road! How are you? The nurse said you have pneumonia?"
Ethan waved his hand: "It's nothing. I got soaked and chilled yesterday. It'll pass. I'm already feeling a little better. I'm glad I was able to help you, Chloe. At least this makes up a little for what I did. You know, I regretted that so many times. I never was able to find a family. I kept looking for someone like you, but I never did. I honestly congratulate you on the birth of your babies. So you found your true love after all?"
Chloe replied: "Yes, Ethan, I did. I'm married to a very good, decent man. His name is Roman. I stopped being angry at you a long time ago, though it took me a while to get over your betrayal. But that's all in the past now. Water under the bridge. Get well soon! I hope you find your own true love too. Get married, start a family."
Ethan just waved it off: "I've given up on my personal life. My only goal now is to save up for my mother's surgery. She has heart problems—needs a bypass. I'm putting aside a little here and there, but I'm still not even halfway there. Anyway, that's my problem. Don't worry about it. I wish you happiness, Chloe. And please forgive me for everything."
***
Chloe returned to her room quiet and subdued. She said: "You'll never guess who was driving the van that saved us. It was Ethan. My ex-fiancé. Can you believe it? I still can't wrap my head around it. He's changed so much. He's not the person he used to be. Life has really knocked him around."
Sarah sighed: "Well, I'll be. I guess he's not completely heartless; he's capable of good deeds. Come on, Robert, let's go visit him too. We'll thank him for saving our daughter and grandchildren. And the new parents can have some time alone."
Roman felt a sudden pang of jealousy, surprising himself. With strain in his voice, he asked: "What did you two talk about for so long? I'm wildly jealous, you know! I'm not letting you go to anyone! Don't forget that! Do you still love him?"
Chloe laughed and pressed herself against her husband: "Darling, don't twist yourself up over nothing. You are my happiness—you and the babies. I don't need anyone else. I loved Ethan deeply, that's true. But that was a long time ago. It's only with you that I've understood how truly happy a woman can be only with a man who protects her. I do feel sorry for Ethan. He lives with his sick mother, trying to save up for her operation. He doesn't have a real job, and no personal life. It's his own fault, I guess, but I still feel for him."
The babies woke up, making funny faces, rooting for their mother, and crying. Roman picked up Leo and rocked him while Chloe nursed Lily. The man watched, amazed at how beautiful a woman looked while nursing her child. The baby girl smacked her lips and grunted, and Chloe glowed with joy. She wanted to cover that tiny, funny nose with kisses and never let her go.
Sarah and Robert visited Ethan, had a long talk, let go of past grudges, and forgave him. At a family council, they decided to help pay for his mother's surgery. They did so in time; the operation went well, and the elderly woman began to recover. Robert also offered Ethan a job as a manager at his company—he still had good business instincts.
Gradually, Ethan's personal life improved too. He met a simple, modest woman named Emily, who worked as a cashier at a supermarket. It was only after that conversation with Chloe that Ethan finally let her go in his heart, stopped dreaming of a reunion, and stopped looking for someone just like her. He remembered his mistakes well, so he was honest with his new girlfriend and told her everything as it was.
He happily ate Emily's borscht and pastries, and didn't even notice her extra weight or her freckles. Sometimes the two couples would walk together in the park with the children. The women quickly became friends, swapping recipes and chatting about other girl things. Emily loved children and enjoyed spending time with the babies, who smiled at her and reached out their little hands, sensing a good soul. With Emily in the picture, Roman finally relaxed and stopped being jealous of Chloe. He was proud of his big family!
Acquaintances and old friends of the Miller family were amazed: just look at that—fates intertwined so strangely! They helped the man who had once wronged their daughter and his mother, became friends, and now socialized as if nothing had happened.
But Chloe saw it differently. She believed that every person deserves a second chance. After all, we all sometimes do things we're deeply ashamed of. The important thing is to realize your mistakes, change, be able to ask for forgiveness, and be able to forgive. Simply to remain human. That was the whole secret.
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