Victoria Elizabeth wearily watched the scenery change outside the taxi window, thinking that as soon as she got home, she would take a shower and rest.
Flights always exhausted her; she was generally afraid of flying, but business demands required speed, which meant sacrificing something for the company’s success, to which she had devoted half her life. As soon as she entered the house, she realized her son was home.
– Nathan! I’m back!
– Hey, Mom, – the twenty-year-old young man came out and hugged Victoria, but he was clearly embarrassed and glanced back nervously.
– You’re not alone? – his mother guessed.
– No.
– I see. And how’s Olivia doing?
– It’s not Olivia, Mom. I love another girl, her name’s Emily.
Victoria sat in an armchair and looked closely at her son.
– Do you understand what you’re saying? Olivia is from a good family; you have great prospects with her. And who is this Emily? Judging by the fact that I’ve never heard her name in our circles, is she poor?
– Yes. And she was born in a small town.
– It just gets worse. Why do you need a small-town simpleton? Just to sleep with her? Do you realize that can lead to children? And that girls like your Emily often trap suitors like you for exactly that reason.
– Mom, you don’t know her.
– And I don’t want to know her. I’m going upstairs to rest, and you’re going to take her home or wherever she lives. And don’t say anything to me, got it? I’m not going to listen to your nonsense. Nothing good comes from mismatched relationships. You’re a future doctor with such opportunities ahead, and what do you want? To put a yoke around your neck? That’s all I have to say.
Nathan turned sharply and left. As Victoria climbed to her room, she heard muffled whispers: Nathan and Emily were arguing about something. Victoria smiled and thought:
– You won’t get anywhere, girl, and you’ll never have my son.
She woke up late in the evening and went downstairs to grab a bite and talk to her son again. But he wasn’t there. The woman shrugged; well, he must be hanging out at a club. Better that than with his small-town girl.
However, Nathan didn’t return the next day or the days after. His phone was unreachable, and Victoria finally realized things weren’t as simple as she thought. In the morning, she went to the medical academy where Nathan studied and had him called out of class.
– What’s with this behavior? – she began.
– Mom, I’m in the middle of a lecture, and I don’t want to miss it, even for a talk with you.
– Oh, really? Well, let me disappoint you; you’re going to have to talk to me. Why aren’t you coming home?
– Because I moved out. You kicked Emily out, so I left with her.
– So that’s it. What a scheming girl she turned out to be, – Victoria fumed. – I didn’t expect that. Where are you living?
– At her place.
– With her parents, who are probably drunks?
– Mom, she doesn’t have parents. Emily grew up in foster care, and she lives in a house she inherited.
Now Victoria was truly frightened.
– Foster care! My God, Nathan! Don’t you understand anything? How long have you known her?
– Almost a year. We met when she was earning money washing car windows.
– Shameful! What a disgrace!
– There’s nothing shameful about it. She survived the best she could.
– Oh, really? And you want that? Not to live, but to survive? Fine. I’ll make sure of it. As of today, all your accounts are frozen. You can both go wash windows for a living. Where do you live? In some small town? Perfect!
I’ll let you keep the car. But here’s a secret: it needs gas constantly! And that’s very expensive. Will you switch to the bus? Go ahead. Let’s see how long you last! I’m telling you, your cards are empty as of today!
– Fine by me! And one more thing: Emily is pregnant with my child, got it? And she’s going to have it! We’ve also applied to get married.
Completely at a loss, Victoria tried to say something, but Nathan returned to the classroom, closing the door behind him. She stood there for a moment, then headed for the exit.
For the first time in her life, she didn’t know what to do and was utterly devastated by the news. Victoria felt overwhelming weakness and sat on the nearest bench. Had all her plans collapsed? Shattered by the ambitions of some girl.
But Nathan? She had raised him herself, taught him to be discerning in everything. How could this happen? Her phone rang. Victoria glanced at the caller ID and answered:
– Yes, Olivia, hello! How are you?
– Not good, Victoria Elizabeth. Nathan has completely forgotten about me, and I love him so much. – Sobs came through the phone.
– Olivia, my dear, don’t cry. Calm down. Everything will be fine.
– What’s going on? I don’t understand.
– Oh, Olivia, neither do I. You see, he’s gotten involved with some Emily. She’s from foster care, so she’s a cunning opportunist. They’re so good at playing on pity. I got angry at him for it, and, imagine, he moved out to live with her. I don’t know what to do, Olivia, for the first time in my life, I don’t know.
They talked a bit more, and Victoria headed to the office. Work helped distract her from heavy thoughts, but as evening came, it all flooded back. Dull, joyless days dragged on. Victoria was hurt that her son had chosen some girl over her, not visiting or calling.
Over the next three months, she cried so much and tore her heart apart so many times that one day she couldn’t take it anymore. Finding Emily’s address, she drove to see her and Nathan to talk on the spot.
The bright sun stung her eyes. The car hummed quietly on the gravel road, which was empty, and Victoria sank back into her thoughts. Suddenly, the steering wheel jerked from her hands, the car spun, and, unable to control it, she veered off the road and crashed into a tree.
Victoria hit her head and lost consciousness. She came to when she felt strong hands pulling her from the car and laying her on the ground. Opening her eyes, she saw a man in work clothes sitting on the grass, with her head resting on his lap.
Victoria tried to get up, but dizziness and nausea stopped her.
– Are you okay? Where does it hurt? Any fractures? – the stranger asked with concern.
– No, just my head… – Victoria’s voice was faint. – Do you have a phone? Let’s call an ambulance. I would’ve called with mine, but I left it at home.
– No ambulance…
– Then here’s what we’ll do. – Without finishing, the man went to the wrecked car, grabbed Victoria’s documents and belongings, and took them somewhere. He returned, easily lifted her into his arms, and placed her in his old pickup truck.
– I’ll take you to my place; it’s close, just a mile away in a small village. From there, I’ll call some guys to tow your car. They work at an auto shop and can fix it. The damage isn’t too bad.
Victoria felt awful and gratefully agreed.
David, as the man was called, quickly drove her to his home, carried her inside, and laid her on the couch. All evening, he showed such care and attention that, for the first time in her life, Victoria felt weak and vulnerable, like a little girl. And it was so pleasant and unfamiliar.
Victoria had always considered herself tough. She was married for convenience and never knew true love. Her husband, Nathan’s father, cheated constantly, cared neither for the business nor the family, and she had to carry everything herself. In the end, he died in a crash while driving with another mistress.
Her thoughts were interrupted by David. He brought a cup of hearty broth and sat beside her until she drank it.
– David, did you make this yourself? It’s delicious!
– I did. I live alone.
– Never married?
– I was. But she left me. Now she’s married to some businessman, living in Canada.
– Any kids?
– We didn’t have any.
– You don’t like talking about yourself, do you?
– Not really. There’s nothing interesting in my life. I drive a garbage truck, live like everyone else. Funny, right?
– No, – Victoria replied seriously. – My life is the funny one. – And suddenly, driven by some impulse, she told David everything about herself, her husband, her son.
– That’s what he did, – she said quietly, finishing her story about Nathan.
– Victoria, you need to let him go. He’s a man now and acting like one. You should be proud of him.
– And me? What about me?
– With you, it’s clear and simple. – David took her hand, then pulled her close, lifted her face, and kissed her lips. Victoria melted into long-forgotten feelings.
That night, Victoria barely slept, but in the morning, she felt wonderful. She got up when an incredible aroma filled her room. She walked to the kitchen and saw David making pancakes.
– David, you’re a wizard! – He smiled back at her.
The day flew by like an hour, and as dusk fell, they still couldn’t get enough of each other. Who would’ve thought that this garbage truck driver would make the iron-willed Victoria lose her head over love and happiness?
Victoria spent the entire weekend at David’s house, and only on Monday, at work, did she remember she hadn’t made it to her son’s. But it no longer mattered. David was right; she needed to let Nathan live as he wanted, and she wouldn’t interfere anymore. But a month later, Nathan returned on his own.
– Mom, I’m back. You won’t kick me out? – he smiled sadly.
– What happened, son? I unfroze your accounts.
– Yeah, I saw, thanks. But that’s not important!
– Where’s Emily?
– Don’t talk about her. She lied to me. She’s pregnant, but not with my child.
– Son…
Victoria suddenly realized that being right about Emily brought her no joy. Her son, Nathan, was so upset; the light had gone out of his eyes.
– Mom, I’m going to my room.
– Of course, go…
Victoria hugged her son, kissed him like when he was a child, and asked what he wanted for dinner.
– I don’t care…
For days, Victoria tried to pull Nathan out of his depression, but then something happened that plunged her into despair. Lately, she’d been feeling unwell, even skipping work. When morning nausea became constant, she rushed to the pharmacy in a panic. The tests confirmed she was pregnant.
For Victoria, this wasn’t just a blow; it was a shock. She didn’t know what to do, and at her next meeting with David, burning with shame, she confessed what had happened.
– My darling, Vicky! – David scooped her into his arms. – I love you, you hear me, I love you!
The next day, a happy Victoria decided to host a family dinner to introduce her son to her future husband. She was busy in the kitchen when the doorbell rang. On the doorstep stood a beautiful girl in a loose dress that didn’t hide her pregnant belly.
– Emily? – Victoria guessed, and suddenly the girl, sobbing, threw herself at her, choking on tears, saying she loved Nathan and didn’t understand why he left.
– There, there, calm down and tell me everything, – Victoria said, handing her a glass of water.
– I don’t understand it myself, – Emily sighed. – Some Olivia called Nathan and told him I’m pregnant with someone else’s child. That she knows some guy who was supposedly with me. But it’s not true; Nathan was my first and only. I’m ready for any DNA test, a hundred times over. – She cried again.
– Then I went to the store, and some guy came up to me, started hugging me, got on his knees, made a whole scene. I turned to leave and saw Nathan. He was standing there watching us, then turned, got in his car, and drove off. That guy laughed and left too. I waited for Nathan, wanted to explain everything, but he never came back. I don’t know what to do. I’m not guilty. And I love him so much.
Victoria calmed the girl, took her upstairs, and let her rest in her room. Meanwhile, Nathan arrived, followed closely by David. Victoria introduced them and said she had news.
– But first, we’ll wait for one more guest. For now, let me make a call to a certain someone.
– Hello! Olivia, hi, dear. Tell me, is Nathan coming home thanks to you?
– Yes, – the girl gushed, unaware Nathan could hear her. – I had to play him a bit, but at least he’s done with that small-town girl for good.
– I see. Thank you, – Victoria cut the call and grabbed her son, who was heading for the door.
At that moment, Emily slowly came downstairs, and everyone looked at her. Nathan walked over and hugged her, and she, unable to hold back, burst into tears again.
When the emotions settled, Victoria raised a toast to a big, happy family and suddenly blushed.
– Mom? – Nathan smiled, raising an eyebrow. – Am I getting not just a son, but a brother too? – She nodded and shyly leaned against David’s shoulder.
– And what about your stance on mismatched relationships? Has it changed?
– Yes. And more than that, David and I are moving to his place, and we’re leaving this house to you.
– And work?
– Family, son, now only family, – Victoria said and laughed. Now she knew what true happiness was…
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