James arrived at his brother Paul’s house to catch up and drop off some treats, which he often brought to spoil him.
Paul, a doctor at the local hospital, spent most of his time at work. James, on the other hand, lived in the countryside, running a small farm and finding happiness—though only as much as a man could, abandoned by his wife with two one-year-old sons.
He had delivered produce to local markets and stopped by to stock Paul’s fridge. Lisa, Paul’s wife, and their little niece Emily greeted James warmly. They barely convinced him to stay for at least half an hour to have tea, especially since Paul was due home any minute.
Soon enough, Paul arrived, and the whole family gathered around the table.
— Who’s looking after the boys? — Lisa asked James.
— With Aunt Tess, our neighbor. She helps out when I need to step away.
— Got it. Any word from Susan? — Lisa shook her head. — I can’t imagine abandoning your own kids. How long has she been gone?
— Three months. Well, never mind her. How about you two? How’s work? — James turned to his brother.
— Same old, same old, — Paul said, pouring him more tea before suddenly smiling. — Actually, not quite. You won’t believe this, but we admitted a woman with multiple bruises. Nothing serious, she’s healed now. But she’s got almost total memory loss. Can’t remember anyone, not even her own name. We put out a few notices, but no one’s come forward. And it’s time to discharge her—she can’t live at the hospital forever.
— Wow! — Lisa stared at her husband, astonished. — How old is she?
— Around our age, give or take a year or two.
— How’d she end up with you? — Found on the roadside at night. An elderly couple was driving home, saw her lying there. I got the sense she was thrown out of a moving car.
— Brave folks, that couple, — Lisa said, impressed. — Not everyone would stop, especially in a situation like that. Alright, you two chat. Emily and I are heading to the backyard to the playground.
Once they left, Paul, who had been deep in thought, turned to his brother:
— Listen, why don’t you take her in? Let her recover in the countryside. She could help with the boys.
— Are you out of your mind?
— Why not? I’m not saying marry her. Though, she’s definitely my type. If it weren’t for Lisa, I’d be all over her.
— Oh, come on… That’s ridiculous!
— Ridiculous? I’m telling you, take her in, you won’t regret it! Want to meet her right now? Come on, let’s go! You can give me a ride.
— If she doesn’t remember her name, what do you call her?
— Victoria. We tried calling her different names, and Victoria felt familiar to her. So that’s what we went with, — Paul explained as they drove to the hospital.
— You know, if I were you, I’d feel for her, — Paul pressed, knowing his brother’s kind heart. — She’s a vulnerable woman who could end up in trouble again. With you, she’d be safe—you’re built like a tank. Just think about it. I’m not pushing, it’s your call.
But as soon as they saw a short, slightly plump, but very charming woman on the hospital pathway, Paul exclaimed:
— Victoria! Good afternoon! Look who I brought—your husband, James.
James nearly choked in shock:
— Have you lost it? — he hissed at his brother. — What kind of joke is this?
But Victoria had already approached, peering into his eyes with intensity:
— Is that true? — Her eyes held so much longing and worry that James slowly nodded. She leaned against his shoulder and said:
— Take me away from here. I want to go home.
— Perfect, — Paul chimed in. — Off you go. The kids are waiting.
— Kids? I have kids? — Her eyes widened in amazement.
— Yes, two boys. Alex and Ben. Twins, — Paul said, nudging them toward the car. — Go on, I’ll bring the paperwork tomorrow.
— Don’t you dare show up! — James hissed, furious at both his brother’s lie and his own complicity. — I’ll kill you!
Paul laughed: — You won’t! Alright, lovebirds, I’ve given my blessing—now get out of here!
Several times on the drive, James wanted to confess the truth, but Victoria was so thrilled about having a home again and asked about the boys with such warmth that he couldn’t bring himself to do it. He stayed silent, dreading what would happen when the truth came out.
Victoria, meanwhile, was thinking about how she’d need to adjust to everything, hoping familiar surroundings might jog her memory.
She truly remembered nothing—not that she was born into a wealthy family, nor that three years ago she married a successful businessman named Victor. Nor that her husband was to blame for her misfortune.
Victoria—her real name indeed—was desperate for children but struggled to conceive. When she finally did, she was overjoyed, eager to share the news with Victor. He returned home soon after, but only to announce he was leaving her.
— I love another woman. She’s pregnant with my son. My parents forced me to marry you. I’ve only ever loved her. We’ll get divorced quickly. No kids, so…
— There are kids, — she interrupted. — I’m pregnant! And you’re despicable! You and your mistress!
Suddenly, she felt a sharp pain in her lower abdomen. Victor called an ambulance. Days later, he was driving her home. They sat in silence until he said he’d already packed his things. Victoria began to cry. They argued fiercely. She demanded he stop the car, but he ignored her. In desperation, she cracked the door open, thinking he’d slow down. A gust of wind flung it wide, and she fell out.
Victor didn’t realize what happened at first. Then he slammed on the brakes and ran to her. She lay motionless, a small pool of blood forming by her head. Terrified, he fled, assuming she was dead.
He drove home, grabbed his things, and went on the run, hoping no one would suspect him. He lived in another state for a while, expecting to be hunted down. But as time passed and no one came, he returned to his mistress, still unaware of what became of his wife.
Meanwhile, Victoria was living with James and his sons. She was heartbroken that her memory hadn’t returned, but in just a few days, she grew so attached to the boys that she already saw herself as their mother.
She and James lived like close friends. He supported her in everything, ensuring her comfort, and she reciprocated. Victoria loved cooking, finding joy in kitchen chores. She had fully recovered and felt great.
Her only concern was that James showed no romantic interest in her. Months passed, and they lived like a true family. One evening, after putting the boys to bed, Victoria approached James, placing her hands on his shoulders.
— Don’t you miss me yet? Or have I upset you somehow? — She sat beside him, resting her head on his shoulder.
James clenched his jaw. He’d been fighting his feelings for a long time, but he couldn’t deepen the lie. He gently took her hands and said:
— Listen, Victoria, I need to tell you something.
But she pressed a finger to his lips, took his hand, and led him along. All the barriers James had built crumbled instantly, and Victoria, as if waiting for this moment, embraced and kissed him.
From then on, they were a true couple, happy and in love. One day, as Victoria played with the boys in the garden, a woman appeared on the path leading from the gate to the house. She approached Victoria, tilting her head arrogantly:
— Who are you? What are you doing here with my sons? Alex, Ben, come to me! — But the boys hid behind Victoria.
James stepped out at the sound of her voice and froze. It was his real wife, Susan.
— What are you doing here? — he demanded. — Who asked you to come? Get out!
— In case you forgot, this is my house and my kids. And you’re still my husband. We never got divorced, remember?
— James? What’s she talking about? — Victoria stood and approached him.
— So you lied to me? This whole time?
— Victoria, I’ll explain everything!
— Explain. Now. — He stepped toward Susan, led her out the gate, and locked it, ignoring her shouts. He returned to the house.
— Victoria, — he began, taking her hand. — Listen, I’ll tell you everything, but you need to know I love you. I love you like I’ve never loved anyone!
James sighed and started his story. Victoria listened in silence. He continued:
— Paul said you were probably thrown from a car, and I thought…
— What did you say? Say that again! — That you were probably thrown from a car, — James repeated, anxiously studying her face. Victoria’s gaze wandered. She remembered everything.
— Yes. It was my husband. Victor. The baby! — She clutched her stomach. — I lost the baby! — She paled and began to collapse.
Terrified, James called an ambulance. Victoria was back in a hospital bed, with a remorseful James and his brother Paul, who had just arrived, standing nearby.
— What’s wrong with me? — She looked at the doctor.
— You’re fine. Victoria, you’re pregnant!
— That’s impossible! I know I lost the baby.
— Then God took pity on you and gave you another. Take care of this one! Well, I’ll leave you now.
— You go too, — Victoria said to James. — I need to be alone. Don’t wait for me. Go home, the boys need you.
James left. He was sure he could earn her forgiveness, but she needed space now. When he returned that evening, Victoria was gone from the hospital.
James was alone again. Worse, the boys kept asking for their mother, and he didn’t know what to tell them.
A month later, a car pulled up to James’s house, and Victoria stepped out. James was away, delivering produce. The boys and Aunt Tess were home. Victoria sent Tess home and took care of the household—feeding the boys, playing with them, putting them to bed, and starting the laundry.
James returned, walking dejectedly toward the house. He’d tracked down Victoria’s old home that day, hoping to beg for forgiveness, but neighbors said the house was sold and she’d moved away. He thought he’d lost her forever.
But then the porch door swung open, and Victoria, his beloved Victoria, stepped out to meet him. He rushed to her, swept her into his arms, talking, kissing, and hugging her while she laughed happily.
She later explained she’d gone back to her old home to sell it and divorce Victor. It all worked out—Victor didn’t resist after she threatened legal action. The house was always hers, so selling it was easy. Now she was back with her family, never to leave again.
Soon, James and Victoria welcomed a daughter, and the happy parents couldn’t stop marveling at their children. They knew everything would be alright from then on.
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