“No, I don’t want to breed poverty,” the husband declared sharply and walked out on his pregnant wife. It turned out he had another woman. And poor Helen had no idea about anything.
On that ill-fated day, her world crumbled. Calm family happiness suddenly turned into betrayal. Her heart shattered into pieces, and the pain made it hard to breathe.
Edward returned late and reacted irritably to his wife’s questions.
— Darling, I called you all evening, but you didn’t answer? What happened? How can you do that? You know I worry. Dinner got cold again. I’ll have to reheat it for the third time.
— Thanks, no need. I grabbed a bite at work, — Edward replied coldly, walked into the living room, and looked in surprise at the beautifully set table.
— And what’s this all about? It doesn’t seem like a holiday today, — Edward grumbled and looked questioningly at his wife.
— Sit down, I have wonderful news for you.
— No time, I need to go now.
— Where? Are you serious? I don’t understand what’s going on. What bit you?
Tears glistened in confused Helen’s eyes. But that only angered her husband. He frowned and said rudely:
— You’re probably a complete fool. Or just pretending not to understand. Isn’t it clear? I don’t love you. I have another woman.
— Another how? Are you mocking me, trying to ruin my mood?
— Helen, I’m leaving. Really leaving for another woman.
— No, I don’t want to believe it. You can’t abandon us! — the woman cried out in despair.
— What do you mean us? — asked the surprised husband.
— I recently found out I’m expecting a child. I set the table, waited for you eagerly. Wanted to delight you with such wonderful news. — Helen helplessly sank into the armchair and sobbed.
— Delight? What should I be delighted about? This cheap salad on the table? Sausage and potatoes? No thanks, sorry. Sit at a beggar’s table and rejoice? No, that’s not for me. I don’t want to breed poverty. I’m tired of living like this, goodbye.
In a fit of anger, Edward sharply yanked the tablecloth, and the plates fell to the floor with a clang. Then the enraged man pulled a huge suitcase from the closet and began stuffing things into it. She sat curled up in a ball, her body shaking with sobs. Accepting the cruel reality was hard. It seemed like she would wake up any moment and everything would be as before: a tender loving husband, a calm home atmosphere.
— Edward, I’m begging you, explain what’s going on. What did I do wrong? How is this woman better? Why are you treating me like this?
— We have nothing more to talk about. I’m leaving. — Edward slung the suitcase over his shoulder and quickly darted out into the hallway.
Helen rushed to the door, wanting to run after him. But suddenly she stopped and sat right on the floor. She was starting to have a hysterics. Sobs turned into screams, her soul was tearing apart from grief.
It took the woman a while to pull herself together. At night she couldn’t sleep, just lay there thinking. And daytime was no easier. The emptied apartment was oppressive, it seemed like even the walls were closing in. Appetite completely disappeared. That’s how a week passed. Helen could no longer cry, probably had cried all her tears. In the evenings she sat, stared out the window, and sadly indulged in memories. In her memory, that day when she met Edward came alive in all its colors. She wasn’t planning to meet anyone then. Just got tired and sat down to rest on a bench. And suddenly a cheerful charming guy sat down next to her. Looked at her attentively, introduced himself, and said he had long dreamed of a wife like her.
— Proposing right away? — Helen smiled playfully. — At least ask my name.
— I’ll call you my love. And everything before doesn’t matter anymore.
But before, Helen had nothing. She was born in a small town, lost her parents early, and was raised by her grandfather. For the elderly lonely man, his granddaughter was the meaning of life. He prayed to God for only one thing — to live long enough to raise her. And God heard those prayers. Grandfather John seemed ageless, felt well, worked. The girl grew up cheerful and smart. Delighted her grandpa with good grades, helped around the house, and never whimpered.
Next door lived a scandalous retiree Mrs. Ellison. Once, seeing cheerful Helen on the bench, the woman sat down next to her and spoke insinuatingly.
— Hello, Helen dear. You’ve grown up. How old are you? Thirteen already? And you’re looking more and more like your mom. What a beauty she was! And she ruined herself because of your rascal father.
— I don’t understand what you’re talking about? — Helen replied frightened.
— What, you don’t know? Grandpa John didn’t tell you. Your mom was sent to prison for murder. And she killed Nicholas, your father.
— It can’t be, — for a moment Helen froze in shock, — tell me more.
— Nicholas was from a rich family. Used to getting everything he wanted. And he liked your mom. But she didn’t reciprocate. So one evening he decided to use force.
Resisting, Pauline killed the rapist.
— Who told you that? — asked Helen, pale with horror.
— Everyone knows about it. And what’s the big deal? She wasn’t a criminal, she was defending her honor!
The frightened girl ran home and started questioning her grandpa. The poor man groaned and took some valerian drops.
— Yes, granddaughter, that’s how it was. No point hiding it now. Pauline died during childbirth. I took you right away. I’ll sit a bit and go sort things out with Mrs. Ellison. Upset the child, old witch!
Learning the sad truth, Helen became different, more thoughtful, calm, and withdrawn. Didn’t want to be friends with boys, avoided noisy companies. Walked alone and grieved. Time passed, the girl finished school and moved to another city to study. Soon another misfortune happened in her life — her beloved grandpa died of a heart attack. And she had no one else in this world.
Men liked Helen. But she closed her heart to admirers, thinking about studies and work. It continued like that until Edward appeared in her path. He was also born into a poor family. Worked a lot, set a goal for himself, and finally started his own business. Achieving success, he decided to get married. Serious and responsible man. What else do you need for happiness?
Helen admired her husband. Looked at him with adoration, tenderly hugged him, and often repeated “How lucky I am with you!”. Edward appreciated his wife’s care, spoiled her with gifts, and confessed his love every day. Life seemed cloudless. But happiness didn’t last long. Edward started having problems. His beloved business brought less and less income, soon there were losses. At first Edward held on, tried to fix the business, but it didn’t help much. The man started drinking, often snapped, nagged over trifles, started scandals.
Helen wasn’t spoiled, calmly endured lack of money, tried to comfort her husband. But her kindness irritated Edward. Quiet family life bored him. So in the evenings he often stopped by a bar. There he met Veronica — a free successful woman. That’s how his new life began, where there was no place for his wife or future child.
A little time passed, and Helen decided to talk to her husband one more time. She called and suggested meeting in the park. Edward reluctantly agreed. And there she sat alone on the bench, waiting and still hoping for something. Around — young moms. Some strolling with strollers, others running after mischievous kids. Isn’t that happiness? Doesn’t Edward care at all?
About twenty minutes later, a brand new SUV pulled up to the park. Two people got out — a man in an expensive suit and a slender tall woman. Yes, that’s Edward! Well, why didn’t he come alone? Wants to cause me more suffering? The couple approached the bench, and Helen realized that her husband’s companion was much older than him. The lady was elegant and very well-groomed. But no matter how you try, age can’t be hidden. Edward looked like just a boy next to her. Such a twist of fate — her husband turned out to be a gigolo. Helen smiled bitterly and looked at her husband with reproach.
— How did you sink to this?
— Is that all you wanted to ask? — Edward replied in an arrogant tone.
— Actually no. There are more important problems. It’s about our child. What to do next?
— That doesn’t concern me. I already said my piece.
Helen almost burst into tears but managed to hold back. Didn’t want to show weakness in front of the triumphant homewrecker.
— All clear, — she said calmly. — Well, we talked.
— By the way, about the apartment, — the husband said quietly, — if you haven’t forgotten, it’s mine. So get ready to move. Find a place and pack your things.
Helen didn’t answer anything, stood up, and silently left. Cried for a long time and decided there was no way out. Called her doctor friend and asked to schedule her for an abortion.
— Are you crazy? What abortion? Pull yourself together. You dreamed so much about this child.
— Lucy, you don’t understand? My husband left me! He doesn’t need the child. And doesn’t need me. Kicking us out of the apartment.
— So it’s serious with them. My Mike recently saw Edward with the Dairy Queen.
— With who, who? — Helen asked in bewilderment.
— That’s what they call her, this elderly widow. Inherited several dairy enterprises from her husband. Good products, business developing successfully. And she found herself a young groom. So he’s really with her. Helen, but she’s really an old hag.
— But she has money! Okay, enough about that. Back to business. Will you schedule me?
— Helen, are you sure. Maybe think some more.
— No, I’ve decided everything.
A few days later Helen went to the hospital. There were still half an hour until the doctor’s appointment, and she decided to wait in the yard. Sat, looked around, and tried not to think about what she was going to do. Suddenly a pitiful child’s cry rang out.
— Please mom, no! Mommy, I’m scared!!! Mommy, I love you so much. Please, no, please!!!
From surprise her heart jumped, Helen shivered. She looked around, but no one was nearby. Could it be a voice in her head? She instinctively covered her belly with her hands and sat frozen in fear. No strength to get up and go to the hospital.
Suddenly a young woman appeared from behind the bushes. She was leading a toddler by the hand and saying that shots aren’t scary at all.
— Just bear it for one second. You’re brave with me. And then you’ll get a gift. Choose any toy you want. Deal?
Helen sighed with relief, stood up, and went. But not to the hospital, but home.
— Don’t be afraid, my beloved baby, — she repeated all the way. — Mom is with you. And everything will be okay with us!
Several years passed. Helen’s wonderful little son was growing up. She named him John — in honor of her beloved grandfather. True, there were problems with work, and money was always short. One day Helen decided to try herself as a housekeeper in a rich house — the ad promised good pay. Johnny was already going to kindergarten, so there was time.
Helen called the number listed and was invited for an interview. At the gates a security guard met the woman and escorted her to meet the owner. This wealthy man turned out to be an elderly disabled person. He sat in his wheelchair, fully immersed in reading. But then he tore his eyes from the newspaper and looked intently at Helen. Then he wanted to speak but stopped and just stared. Something was clearly happening to the old man. The concerned security guard asked:
— Something wrong, Arthur Peterson?
— Everything’s fine, Walter. You go, we’ll talk.
Left alone with Helen, the old man said in surprise:
— But you’re not Pauline? No, you can’t be Pauline. But you look so much like her!
— My name is Helen. And my mom was named Pauline. True, she ended up in prison. Gave birth to me there and died.
— So you’re her daughter. I saw you and immediately understood that such resemblance can’t be accidental. Do you know why she was imprisoned?
— Yes, — Helen whispered sadly. — She killed a rapist, my father. Do you know something about it?
— My dear girl, there was no rape. My son Nicholas loved Pauline very much. And she loved him. They were dating, planning to marry. And suddenly tragedy struck. I went abroad for a long time. And my partner came up with a cunning plan — wanted to seize the whole business. Snuck into my house secretly and tried to steal documents. But Nicholas and Pauline noticed the thief, wanted to stop him. My son died on the spot, and the girl fainted. The criminal put the pistol in her hand and fled. As soon as the terrible news reached me, I tried to come back. But for certain reasons, which don’t matter now, they wouldn’t let me out of the country then.
The old man paused for a minute, sighed heavily, and continued his sad story.
— When I finally managed to return, I took up the case. Conducted my own investigation and punished the cunning partner. Death caught up with him. And I ended up disabled. Was unconscious for a long time, then a long rehabilitation period. When I finally could return to life, it was too late. Poor Pauline had died. And I didn’t even suspect your existence. That’s the story.
From the unexpected turn of events, Helen’s head spun. She sank into the armchair and looked questioningly at the elderly man.
— And what next, Arthur Peterson?
— Helen, granddaughter, I’m so glad I found you. I have a successful business, a big house, lots of money. But the most important thing, close people, I didn’t have. Now I have you. Move in with me.
— I also have a little son, Johnny, your great-grandson.
— What happiness in my old age! And I was about to die alone, — the old man teared up, wheeled his chair over to Helen, and took her hand.
Helen and Johnny moved in with grandpa, and they all lived very happily. A year passed like that. Working in Arthur Peterson’s company, the girl proved herself well, and was entrusted with a high position.
And so one fine day Helen was sitting in her office, sorting papers. The secretary reported that a local businessman wanted to see her — asking for financial support. Helen agreed to talk, but when the visitor entered, the girl looked intently at him and frowned.
— No, Edward, I can’t help in any way. Our firm has earned a good reputation. So we won’t work with unscrupulous partners. Goodbye!
Using the intercom button, Helen called security and asked to escort the guest. And he stared at her in amazement, not daring to believe his eyes. The security guard carefully took him by the elbow:
— Let’s go, let’s go. Do you hear me?
— Why is she here? Who is she?
— The owner’s granddaughter. Manages our company.
From surprise, Edward’s breath caught. In complete confusion, he went out to the street and clutched his head with his hands. What a mistake he had made! And now nothing could fix it.
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