Mary was a modest, ordinary woman from an educated family. Her mother worked for many years as a general practitioner in a hospital, while her father was a university professor teaching modern geology. Due to his profession, he frequently went on business trips and expeditions, exploring various terrains and searching for valuable minerals. Thanks to this, the family was financially comfortable. They lived well and could afford many things.
Mary grew up in a complete and loving family. She had everything she could wish for. If she wanted a beautiful dress, her parents would buy it immediately. If she desired a bag like her friend Olivia’s, her wish was promptly fulfilled. Despite this indulgent parenting, Mary wasn’t spoiled. She didn’t abuse her requests and devoted all her free time to studying. As a result, she graduated high school with a gold medal. She entered university effortlessly, without any favoritism, and graduated with honors. People described her as promising, hardworking, and talented. While this flattered her ego, it didn’t truly make her happy.
— You know, Paula, my life feels so dull, bland, monotonous, and predictable. I’ve graduated university, I’ll work for a bit, secure a good position, marry some professor, and basically repeat my mom’s life, — she said to her friend, lying upside down on the couch.
— Uh-huh. And what’s wrong with that? Everything’s going smoothly, — her friend replied with a wink.
— That’s exactly what’s wrong. I want an explosion of emotions. I want someone extraordinary, vibrant to burst into my life… to make my head spin… to bring some chaos. That’s what makes life interesting.
— Honestly, Mary, you’re just spoiled. Most people would kill for that kind of stability. My life’s a rollercoaster. You think that’s easy?
Both sighed sadly, each lost in her own thoughts…
The gray days dragged on. Each one mirrored the last. Nothing happened in Mary’s life. She got a job as an accountant, but lately, even that didn’t bring her joy. After some time, she decided she urgently needed adventure. Gathering her courage, she approached her father.
— Dad, your job is so fascinating. Could I join you on your next expedition?
— Funny you mention it after all these years. I thought you’d ask sooner, — her father said with a smile.
— So, you’ll take me?
— Of course. There’s one in a couple of days. If your boss lets you take time off, you can prepare for the trip. But I warn you, it’ll be tough. We’re doing geological surveys with no modern comforts—just field conditions.
— That sounds amazing! — the young woman exclaimed, jumping with excitement.
A couple of days later, they set off on the expedition. The journey was long. Mary managed to sleep during the trip. On the train, she met the entire work crew, including a geophysicist named George. He was a tall, handsome young man with enormous hands.
“Those hands,” Mary thought. “If he hugs you, he’d envelop you from head to toe.”
But he turned out to be kind and cheerful. During the trip, he played the guitar and sang, his voice one of the most beautiful Mary had ever heard. She watched him, her eyes smiling.
Upon arriving, they changed, ate, and geared up for the journey. The area was cold, and they’d be working in field conditions. The portable camp was set up, and in the morning, the group of geologists set out.
At first, Mary found everything they did fascinating. Then, it grew tedious as nothing exciting happened. The geologists mapped the terrain, made calculations for describing the landscape, and left markers and red flags to identify optimal drilling sites. In the evenings, they warmed themselves by campfires, sang songs, and shared stories about strange tracks, invisible wolves, mysterious abandoned structures, and ghostly female figures luring tourists and geologists into gorges or off cliffs.
Mary remembered George talking about Bigfoot, describing it so vividly that she almost wanted to see it herself.
Then there were dances. They danced to ethnic tunes, holding each other close.
— So, no regrets about coming? Our work’s pretty dull and monotonous, isn’t it? Nothing exciting happens, — he teased, looking into Mary’s eyes.
— No regrets. Monotonous is my job. Yours is interesting. Plus, the change of scenery, fresh air, meeting new people… maybe even spotting a Yeti, — she replied.
George just laughed. Mary looked at him, and her heart began to thaw.
The rest of the time blurred for Mary. One day, she fell into icy mountain water, soaking her feet. By evening, she had a high fever. All she could recall was George’s face, checking on her constantly. He brought her hot tea with cookies and placed a cold compress on her forehead. On the last day of the expedition, Mary started to recover. She smiled again and ate her buckwheat with appetite. When George came in, he sat quietly, watching her. Then he took her hand.
— I’m so glad you’re feeling better. I want to give you something, — he said, pulling a pendant with a cord from his pocket and placing it around Mary’s neck.
— What is it?
— It’s a mountain crystal. They say it brings luck and fortune to its owner, but only if their intentions are pure.
— That’s so sweet. Thank you.
George looked at Mary once more, kissed her forehead, and left. She never saw him again after that. Yet she so desperately wanted to.
A week after she and her father returned from the expedition, life went back to normal. Mary returned to work after her short vacation, and her father went back to the university. One evening, her mother decided to have a talk. She set the table, bought a cake, and sat Mary down, saying she wanted to discuss something.
— Sweetie, you know how much your dad and I love you, — she began.
— I know, Mom.
— We’re always worried about you. You’re already 30, and you don’t seem to have any plans to start a family.
— Mom, I know where this is going. But I haven’t met anyone worthwhile.
— Surely there’s someone you like.
— Well, I liked Dad’s colleague George, but what’s the point? He hasn’t called once since the trip.
— George Carson? He won’t call. He’s a good, kind man from a well-off family. But he’s married. That’s why he’s silent.
Mary hadn’t expected to hear that. She thought there was a spark between them. He felt so familiar, so dear. But apparently, she was wrong. Her heart grew heavy and restless.
— Forget him. I have a better idea. My boss has a son, Fred. A smart, promising young man. She speaks highly of him. He recently bought a new car and runs a small business. I want you to meet him this Friday evening.
— Mom, are you playing matchmaker now? I didn’t ask for this. Why?
— Because youth is fleeting. It’s time to think about stability and marriage.
Mary sighed heavily. She wasn’t keen on meeting someone, especially not through her mom’s recommendation. But out of respect, she agreed.
Yet George lingered in her thoughts.
A few days before meeting her mom’s protégé, Mary stopped by her favorite café on Maple Street, where she loved sipping cappuccino with foam and eating fresh pastries. She walked in cheerfully, placed her order, and was heading to her table when she bumped into George. He was carrying a tray with coffee, which spilled on his white sweater as the tray fell.
— George! I didn’t expect to see you here, — Mary said, trying to wipe the stain with a wet napkin.
— Hey. I live nearby on Oak Avenue. How are you? What’s new? — His tone showed he wasn’t upset about the ruined sweater.
— Same old: work, home, work. Just stopped by for coffee.
— Same here. Let me buy you a coffee, — he offered unexpectedly, giving her that playful look.
— I think I should be treating you. I’m the one who ruined your sweater.
They both laughed, sat down, ordered more coffee and pastries, and chatted like old friends. After a while, they glanced at their watches and started to leave.
— Here’s my number. If you want, we could meet up sometime. Maybe grab a coffee, — George said suddenly.
— I don’t think so. You’re married.
George lowered his eyes.
— You don’t understand. It’s complicated. No time to explain now. Next time we meet, I’ll tell you everything, — he said, draping Mary’s coat over her shoulders and taking her phone number.
— Alright. You sure know how to create intrigue, — Mary replied with a smile.
They left the café and went their separate ways. Mary stole a glance at George, who kept turning back to look at her.
But George never called. Mary waited for days. By Friday, she couldn’t hold back and dialed his number. To her surprise, the phone was off.
— Weird. Maybe things really are complicated. He’s married, after all, — she thought, smiling sadly.
The next evening, she met Fred. He arrived in a sleek red car with a bouquet of roses. Surprised, Mary got in, and amidst the excited cheers of her colleagues, they drove around the city. Fred turned out to be surprisingly charismatic. There was plenty to talk about. He knew how to court a woman and make her feel special. So Mary started dating Fred. He took her to restaurants, museums, and nightclubs, showering her with expensive gifts. He courted her beautifully and persistently. Before her birthday, he confessed his love. On Valentine’s Day, he gave her an engagement ring and proposed. Everything happened so fast that Mary barely had time to process it. All she knew was that she couldn’t forget George. He hadn’t shown up, hadn’t called, and his phone remained off. In despair, Mary thought long and hard and accepted Fred’s proposal.
— So, what did you tell him? — her mother asked.
— I said yes. We’re getting married, Mom.
Her parents were thrilled. Mary, however, wasn’t sure how to feel. She had feelings for Fred, but they were different from what she felt for George. Fred and Mary got married and moved into his spacious apartment on Elm Street. They made plans for the future. Mary knew this was for the best, but a bitter feeling lingered in her heart.
Three years passed.
Mary and Fred were busy with work. They settled into a routine. He traveled for business trips and stayed late at work more often. She got a promotion but spent evenings alone. She started thinking about having a child and mentioned it to Fred. He supported the idea. For a week, they tried to make it happen, timing it for conception. Mary was already anticipating their growing family when something unexpected happened…
One day, Mary received an anonymous text:
“You act like you have a perfect family, but it’s all fake. Your husband is cheating. He has a one-year-old daughter.”
The message shocked Mary. That evening, when Fred came home, she showed it to him.
— Fred, is this true? You have a daughter? Have you been cheating for a year? — Mary asked, her voice trembling.
— Sweetie, please calm down. It’s not what you think.
— Then what is it?
— It’s true. I have a one-year-old daughter. Her mother is Valentina from the loan department. Her father’s a banker. I needed it for business, to secure loans. They wouldn’t give them otherwise. I didn’t want us to have a kid yet. It just happened. An accident.
— An accident? You cheated on me for a year, maybe more, by accident? — Mary’s legs buckled, and she sat down to keep from falling.
— Yes. She means nothing to me. It was just business.
— I understand, — Mary said, walking into the next room.
She cried all night and, in the morning, packed her things and returned to her parents’ house on Birch Lane.
A few days later, she filed for divorce, unable to forgive Fred’s betrayal. It turned out he had other women besides Valentina, each seduced for some selfish gain. Valentina herself told Mary this, requesting a heart-to-heart meeting with Fred’s wife. After the divorce, Mary struggled to recover. She cried a lot, developed migraines, and fell into depression.
One day, she decided to lift her spirits and go out. Instead of heading home after work, she went to the café where she used to enjoy delicious pastries. At the entrance, she saw a man with no legs, playing the guitar, singing beautifully, and begging for money. His voice sounded familiar. Mary stopped and looked closely at the homeless man. Peering at his face, darkened by dirt and soot, she froze. It was George.
— George, — she called out, her voice trembling.
He looked at her and silently turned away.
— You’re mistaken, lady, — he finally muttered, whistled, waved to someone, and quickly gathered his belongings.
A three-year-old boy appeared from around the corner, helping the man into a wheelchair. Watching this, Mary couldn’t hold back. She took off the crystal pendant George had given her and placed it in his alms box.
— I’m not mistaken. George. It’s you. Pure intentions, remember?
He looked into her eyes and smiled.
— I didn’t think you’d still keep it.
Then he told her he’d married for convenience at his parents’ insistence. He didn’t love his wife but couldn’t defy his parents. Then he met Mary and fell in love. But being married, he couldn’t secretly date her, though he desperately wanted to. He couldn’t betray someone who’d touched his soul. That last evening, he thought it over and didn’t call. Later, while driving with his parents, a drunk driver in an SUV crashed into them. George’s car was crushed, his legs mangled and amputated. His parents didn’t survive. His wife took all his money and left him, leaving only their son.
— I have nothing. Just my son. So I’m homeless.
Hearing this, Mary broke down in tears. She hugged George. He took her hands in his, and they held on for a long time. Then she took him and his son to her home. A year later, she gave birth to their daughter, Anna. They started a consulting firm and lived as a big, loving family. The mountain crystal that brought them back together was framed under glass and hung on their home’s wall.
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