She was walking along the road in a wedding dress. Heavy rain poured down, and in the darkness, she was barely visible. Suddenly, a car appeared on the road and, at the last moment, just avoiding hitting the girl, came to a screeching halt.
— What are you doing? Are you crazy? What are you doing out here? What if I’d hit you? — Emily jumped out of the car and rushed toward the girl, but the stranger suddenly began to collapse, and Emily barely caught her in her arms.
— Easy, easy now… come on, let’s get to the car… — The woman struggled to settle the stranger into the front seat of the car.
— My God, what is going on? — Now Emily was soaked through, shivering from the cold and nervous tension.
She pulled out a thermos with hot tea, poured some, took a few sips, then handed it to the girl:
— Here, drink this. It’ll warm you up. What’s your name?
— A-A-Anna… — the girl stammered, her teeth chattering.
— Okay. I’m Emily. Where were you going, Anna, dressed like that?
— To the river… There’s a river nearby… I need to go there…
— Why?
— I don’t want to live anymore… Emily looked at her strange new acquaintance and shook her head:
— I don’t believe you. — She started the car and pulled away. — We’re going to my place now. You’ll take a shower, change, and get some sleep. Then you can decide whether you want to live or not…
Anna looked at Emily, then turned to the window, where raindrops streamed down like rivers. Or perhaps they were tears? Her tears? Yes, that’s how she had cried on the day she became an orphan.
A ten-year-old girl stood watching as strangers shoveled dirt into two graves where her parents lay, killed in a car accident. Soon, the crowd of sympathizers began to thin, and Anna, sobbing uncontrollably, was left there with her aunt Clara, her mother’s cousin. Clara took the girl by the hand and led her toward the cemetery gate:
— Come on, you’ll stay at my place tonight, and tomorrow we’ll go…
— Where?
— Well, you see, I can’t take you in. I don’t have the means… — Clara hesitated, then added: — It’s already been decided. Starting tomorrow, you’ll live in an orphanage.
And once again, Anna shed tears, this time watching her aunt walk away. As promised, Clara took the girl to the orphanage and left her there, never visiting in the years that followed.
It’s not hard to imagine how Anna’s life unfolded after that. She was a pretty girl, and the boys constantly vied for her attention, not always politely or gallantly. Only Daniel’s protection saved Anna from further emotional scars.
He was three years older, had lived in the orphanage since birth, and commanded respect among the other kids. Even after he left the orphanage, Anna felt safe, and by then, she had learned to stand up for herself.
Daniel served in the army, returned to their hometown, and got a job as a mechanic in an auto shop. Then, on Anna’s graduation day from the orphanage, he came for her with a large bouquet of flowers.
From that day, they lived together, and a year later, Daniel started talking about marriage. He truly loved Anna, and she had grown so accustomed to him that she couldn’t imagine life without him. That is, until she met Steven.
One day, he came to the café where she worked as a waitress and asked her to bring him a bottle of expensive cognac. He sat there drinking, clearly drowning some sorrow. Anna occasionally brought him snacks. At one point, he grabbed her hand:
— Sit down!
— Excuse me?
— Sit with me. Have a drink, my treat. And tell me: what do women want?
— I’m sorry, we’re not allowed to linger at one table for too long, let alone sit. Please excuse me.
Anna walked away, but all evening, she kept glancing at this handsome, well-dressed man with sympathy. There was a hopelessness in his eyes, and she longed to hug and comfort him…
— Anna, what’s with you? I’ve been calling you forever… — Sarah approached and tugged at her friend’s sleeve.
— Sorry, I got lost in thought.
Sarah followed Anna’s gaze and turned to her in surprise:
— What? You’re falling for him? What about Daniel? He’s such a good guy…
— Oh, stop it, you silly! I’m not falling for anyone. I just feel sorry for him. As for Daniel… he’s just… ordinary…
At that moment, Anna’s phone rang. It was Daniel, as if he knew they were talking about him.
— Anna, listen, I won’t be home tonight. An old army buddy is in town, and we’re going to hang out at his place, you know, have a few drinks, reminisce about service. Take a taxi home, okay?
— Okay, Daniel.
— What’s wrong with your voice? Did something happen?
— No, everything’s fine. I’m just tired. I’ll go home and crash early.
— Alright, love. I won’t call so I don’t wake you. I’ll text, and you can reply if you’re awake. Love you.
— Love you too…
After finishing her shift, Anna stepped outside, but after a few steps toward the taxi stand, she saw the man from earlier, the one who’d been at her table. He was standing by a large black SUV, struggling to get his key into the lock. Anna thought for a moment, then approached and took the keys from him.
— You shouldn’t drive in this state. Let me call you a taxi.
He looked at her for a long moment, trying to place her, then nodded obediently:
— Alright.
Anna got into the taxi with him and asked:
— Where should I take you?
He paused, then gave an address. It was nearby, in an upscale new neighborhood where people with no financial worries lived. Anna paid the driver, asked him to wait, and helped the stranger up to his apartment.
— Well, you’re home now. Goodbye! — she said, but he suddenly grabbed her hand:
— Don’t go! I’m having such a bad day…
Anna looked into his gray eyes again and… stayed… She had never seen such a place. She wandered around as if in a museum, admiring the lavish decor, the flowers, the exquisite furniture. And the bathroom? It had a massive jacuzzi, and Anna desperately wanted to soak in hot water, relaxing in fragrant bubbles…
She returned to the living room, where the apartment’s owner sat on the couch, leaning back, relaxed. He was asleep… Anna stepped out onto the glass-walled balcony, sat in a cozy chair, and watched the twilight descend over the city.
A myriad of lights sparkled before her like colorful stars, and she felt as if she were floating above this unforgettable splendor. Anna felt like she had stepped into a strange fairy tale. She didn’t know how much time had passed… The man was still asleep, and she went to the bathroom to wash her face.
As she dried her face with a soft, pleasantly scented towel, she sensed movement behind her. Anna spun around and met the familiar gaze of those gray eyes. He reached out, turned on the water, which quickly began filling the jacuzzi, and started unbuttoning her blouse.
Passion consumed them both instantly. Anna had never felt so desired, so bold. They couldn’t get enough of each other for a long time, and afterward, exhausted, they lay together in the fragrant water, gazing at their reflection in the mirrored ceiling.
— What’s your name? — the gray-eyed man suddenly asked. She laughed:
— Anna. And yours?
— William. You know, this is a first for me…
— For me too, — she turned to him, and he kissed her swollen lips.
They had a snack, and Anna closed her eyes in bliss, savoring the delicious food on the table. Only toward morning did they fall asleep in each other’s arms, sinking into William’s enormous, soft bed.
The next day, Sarah, meeting Anna outside the café, tilted her head in surprise: something subtle had changed in her friend, and she sensed it with a woman’s intuition. Anna seemed to have matured—or rather, transformed. In one night, she had become incredibly graceful, mysterious, and somehow captivating. You couldn’t take your eyes off her.
— What happened to you? — Sarah asked.
— Me? — Anna turned her head regally and shrugged nonchalantly: — Nothing, just the usual… Let’s go work, we’re already late…
That evening, Daniel came to pick Anna up. He talked at length about how great it was to hang out with his friend, who, as it turned out, hadn’t come alone. They’d had a guys’ night at a sauna, and at noon, he saw his friends off at the train station.
— It’s a shame I didn’t introduce you to them. But they promised to come to our wedding. Anna! Anna, are you listening?
— Huh? Oh, yeah, of course… — She poked at her salad with her fork, trying not to think about William.
God, how she longed to be with him again, back in that fairy tale that had ended for her that morning. She’d left quietly while he slept. She sat in a park, wandered through a mall, then headed to work. But the whole day felt gray and pathetic… just like this apartment she shared with Daniel.
— Where are you drifting off to, Anna? What’s wrong? Tell me!
— No, Daniel, really, nothing! Sorry, I’m just so tired, I want to sleep.
— Come on, I’ll tuck you in…
Daniel made the bed himself, covered Anna, and kissed her gently.
— Daniel, not tonight, I’m exhausted…
— Alright, sleep, my love. Sweet dreams!
He turned off the light and left, leaving Anna alone with her memories. And she kept returning to thoughts of William, wanting to cry…
Soon, Daniel came back. He cleared the table, washed the dishes, and carefully, trying not to creak the old bed, lay down, afraid to disturb his beloved’s fragile sleep.
A week passed. Anna missed William; she so wanted to see him again, but he didn’t show up. The gray days blended into one another, and she began to think that what had happened would never happen again.
William appeared when she had already accepted this. He sat at her table again, placed an order, and watched her work. Anna, flushed with overwhelming emotions, approached him with a racing heart each time he called her over. Seizing a moment, William touched her hand, and a nervous shiver ran through her body.
— I want to see you, — William said. — I’ll be waiting tonight…
Anna, biting her lip in despair, walked away. Daniel had promised to pick her up as usual. What could she say to him? Don’t come? And William? What about William?
Daniel arrived twenty minutes before her shift ended. He held a bouquet of gerberas, and Anna could see how pitiful he looked. She left the café with him and immediately saw William standing nearby. He saw them too, raised an eyebrow, then tossed a bouquet of luxurious white roses at his feet and drove off, crushing the delicate buds under his merciless wheel.
Anna barely held back a scream. The quickly descending night hid the tears streaming from her eyes. Daniel didn’t see or notice anything. He was happy, didn’t hide it, and desperately wanted to become Anna’s husband soon.
One evening, he told her he had to leave for a month.
— Don’t be upset. My boss is sending me for training. They’re getting new equipment soon, and to work on it, I need to take some courses. But as soon as I’m back, we’ll have the wedding.
Anna jumped up and kissed Daniel all over his face. He thought she was thrilled to become his wife and, for the first time in a while, recognized his Anna again. That night, she was so tender with him that he went wild with pleasure. The naive guy didn’t suspect that, while caressing him, Anna was imagining someone else entirely.
Daniel left, and William still didn’t show up. Anna was beside herself with despair. She was about to go to him herself when she saw his familiar SUV flash by the window. Unable to hold back, Anna ran out to meet him, not noticing the look Sarah gave her as she left.
Now Anna lived from one meeting to the next. Seeing William every day wasn’t possible, but their nights together were so intense that the following days were spent recovering for the next rendezvous. Meanwhile, Daniel stayed on his trip for another week, and Anna decided to act. She didn’t want to part with William anymore and, one morning as they were saying goodbye, told him she was pregnant.
— What? That’s impossible! — William said confidently.
— Why not?
— Because it shouldn’t be… Anna, I’m married! I can’t have children with a mistress!
— Married? — Anna gasped. — You never told me…
— And you never asked! Why shouldn’t I have a wife when you have a husband?
— He’s not my husband! But if you don’t need me, I’ll marry Daniel, got it? And I’ll forget you! You’ll never see your son!
— Anna, I’m telling you again, if you’re pregnant by me and not him, you’ll have to get an abortion!
— I’m pregnant by you! Daniel’s been out of town for over a month! — Anna sobbed. — You made me cheat on him! And I didn’t want to!
— Didn’t want to? You didn’t want to? — William snapped.
— Get out! I said, get out of here!
— No! No, William, please! I love you, I’m sorry, I’m sorry! — Anna fell at his feet, and he lifted her, looking into her eyes:
— I can’t leave my wife, understand? I can’t… It’s not something I can explain. I feel good with you, but I won’t abandon her. I don’t have the strength or the right.
— I understand, — Anna said, freeing herself from his embrace and heading to the bedroom to get dressed.
William went to the bathroom. Anna glanced into the hallway, then quickly scrolled through his phone and found his passport in his bag.
Yes. He was married. She memorized the address from his registration and hid the document. Back home, Anna picked up her phone.
— Hello, — she said softly when a pleasant female voice answered.
— Hello, Diana. My name is Anna, and I’m your husband’s mistress.
— What? Who are you? Did you say mistress? — The woman was clearly shaken, and Anna suddenly wanted to end the call, but she pressed on.
— William and I love each other, — she said. — I don’t know what keeps him with you, but he desperately wants to end your marriage. Let him go, Diana. We’re going to have a child. Let William be happy. You don’t want to live your whole life with a man who doesn’t love you anymore.
— Don’t worry, Anna. I’ll let him go. Just tell me where and when you met. I need to be sure you’re not lying.
Anna smirked and described William’s apartment where their meetings took place, mentioned his intimate birthmarks, and added that she couldn’t recall all the dates but could name the last three. Diana began to cry and repeated:
— I’m letting William go, Anna. You’ve won… I wish you happiness…
Anna hung up and laughed. It had been so easy and simple. Now that Diana would kick William out, he’d come to her because he loved her. William didn’t come. He called. Anna hadn’t expected him to be so furious, and she froze. He hurled insults at her, and in the end, Anna broke down in tears, realizing she’d made a mistake. She also understood she’d lost William forever.
A few days later, Daniel returned, and soon Anna, in a white wedding dress, stood before the guests, smiling as she accepted their congratulations. Sarah, adjusting her maid-of-honor ribbon, was as nervous as Anna and sighed often when she thought no one was watching.
— What’s wrong, Sarah? What’s the matter? — Anna couldn’t hold back.
— No, no! Don’t worry. I’m just a little jealous…
— Well, if it’s just a little… — Anna smirked. — How much time is left?
— Fifteen minutes.
— Where’s Daniel?
— Over there, with his friends… Listen, Anna, that man you… you know, with the SUV… who is he to you?
— Nobody! — Anna shouted, unable to hold back. — It’s none of your business! Why are you prying into my life? — She stopped short, noticing the nearby guests turn and look at them in surprise.
She smiled and waved at them:
— Everything’s fine! Just nervous… — Then she turned back to Sarah:
— Why did you ask?
— Because he’s standing over there, watching you, — Sarah said, pointing somewhere.
Anna turned and saw William. He came! She’d won! He loved her after all! Ignoring Daniel walking toward her and the gathered friends, Anna headed for William. Daniel grabbed her hand:
— Come on, they’re calling us for the ceremony!
But Anna pushed him away and continued toward William. He looked at her with love in his eyes.
— I came for you… Will you leave him now?
— Yes! — Anna tore off her veil, stepped over it, and, without looking back, hurried after William, got into his car, and drove off, leaving her humiliated fiancé and everyone else stunned.
Anna thought they were going to William’s apartment, but he kept weaving through the streets, moving farther from the city center.
— Where are we going?
— To a clinic. I want a doctor to check you.
— William, — Anna gently placed her hand on his arm: — I was wrong… I’m not pregnant… I’m sorry… But we’ll have another chance, my love…
The car lurched and stopped. William gripped the steering wheel until his knuckles turned white, then started driving again. Soon they left the city. The gray sky was covered with clouds, and rain began to fall. Anna tried to talk to William several times, but he remained silent.
— William, — she pleaded, — can you at least tell me what’s going on and where we’re going?
— I’ll tell you. I wanted to get back at you. That’s why I ruined your wedding. I broke your relationship with your fiancé, just like you broke my life. How dare you call Diana? Who are you to meddle in my life? I don’t need you anymore! I hate you, now get out! Before I do something to you! Because I don’t just want to kill you, I want to tear you apart.
— William…
— Get out! — he roared, pushed her out of the car, and drove off.
And there she was, left in an unfamiliar place, far from the city, without a phone… and who could she even call? Anna walked along the road, feeling the heavy raindrops stream down her face…
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