Svetlana sat on a bench outside the maternity hospital. Her heart was heavy with the realization of the mistake she had made. Perhaps it would have been better to leave the baby here for the state to take care of. But there was no other choice left — her partner had disappeared without a trace once he learned of the pregnancy. It later turned out he was a married man, looking only for some side amusement.

She couldn’t abandon her child. Now, because of her indecision, the baby risked being without warmth and food. Svetlana, through tears, looked at the tiny nose peeking out from under the blanket.

Svetlana lost her parents early. Their house burned down six months after their death; the firefighters assured it was due to old wiring. The only option left was to go to her father’s sister. However, the aunt received her coldly; she already had three children of her own.

Svetlana found a job and hoped for the best. Then she met Saveliy — a handsome young man with a fancy car. When her aunt learned of the romance, she demanded that Svetlana leave her house. Saveliy helped her find a room in a dormitory, but now even that roof over her head was lost.

Svetlana wiped her tears, trying to gather her thoughts. What to do next?

There was a noise behind the bushes — two nurses came out to smoke.

«Gal, did you see how today Tamara Ivanovna’s husband picked her up?» asked one.

«Of course. I feel sorry for her, such a good doctor. But nobody is insured against that. She lost a child and can no longer have children, yet she delivers babies every day.»

«I don’t know how I would handle it. But she’s an excellent doctor and a wonderful person.»

«Yes, they had waited so long for this pregnancy. They are already over forty. And the house they built…»

Svetlana looked at her son and whispered, «Forgive me. I hope everything turns out as I planned.»

She headed to the church to think over her decision. Inside, she silently cried for almost an hour and only left when the baby began to fuss. Finding a secluded spot, she decided to take a walk.

In the park, she watched the ducks, but she couldn’t stay there long. There were too many families with children around. She realized she wouldn’t be able to walk with her son or teach him to play ball. Her life seemed to be over, but her heart and soul remained with the child.

It was getting dark. Svetlana stood in front of a new house with a green roof. The windows were lit, but no one was visible inside. She gently kissed the baby on the nose and walked to the house, choking with sobs and pain.

On the spacious porch, she carefully placed a box she had found at the dump. Inside, she laid the infant, who immediately began to cry. Svetlana tightly shut her eyes, and his cry echoed in her heart.

She pressed the doorbell and held the button for a long time, then quickly ran away. Hiding behind a tree, she listened to the baby’s cry. A loud male voice came from the house:

«Tamara, come here, quickly!»

Svetlana clenched the sleeve of her jacket, suppressing the desire to scream and run to the baby.

A woman appeared at the doorstep, who gently picked up the baby.

«Tolya, come into the house quickly. Get inside!»

The door closed, and the baby’s cry dissolved into silence.

Exhausted, Svetlana sat down on the cold ground by the tree trunk. She didn’t know how much time had passed until she woke up. Opening her eyes, she saw that it had gotten dark. Svetlana headed to the city’s edge — there was nothing left for her here. Her documents were in her pocket, though they now seemed useless.

An hour later, she reached the highway, and half an hour later, a truck picked her up. The driver, an elderly man, was heading north, and she said she needed to go there too.

«Matvey, how happy I am to see you!» exclaimed a woman when her son got out of the car and warmly hugged her.

«Mom, stop sitting in the heat. You know about your blood pressure,» said Matvey.

«Ah, stop that nonsense! Where’s my sunshine?»

A young woman got out of the car, holding a toddler. The boy was about two years old; his eyes were still sleepy, but as soon as he saw his grandmother, he immediately perked up:

«Ba!»

«Come to me, my joy!» Tamara Ivanovna opened her arms wide.

The daughter-in-law handed her the grandson and playfully remarked: «You’re staying with him for two days, and we can relax a bit with Matvey.»

Tamara Ivanovna laughed: «Rest well! You have the weekend, and I have the chance to see my grandson once a month.»

Matvey winked: «Mom, we’ll definitely rest. I brought fishing rods, planning to teach Vera how to fish. How’s our river? Hasn’t it dried up?»

«Fishing?» Vera snorted. «There haven’t been fish there for a long time. And you, instead of spending time with your mom, plan to hang out by the water! Better help with the preserves. I remember how we used to make compotes and jams with your mother…»

Matvey theatrically sighed: «Ah, caught me! Alright, I’ll fix the fence. It’s about time. By the way, Pashka called yesterday, wondering how we’re doing here.»

The day flew by unnoticed, and Matvey slyly smiled, never revealing the main thing: they came not just for the weekend, but for a three-week vacation. After his father’s death, his mother changed significantly, although she tried to hide her sorrows.

Matvey had long settled in another city, continuing his mother’s business and becoming a renowned doctor. He supervised the most complex operations and deliveries. He started right here before receiving an offer to work in a new perinatal center.

Vera, an accountant at the same center, became his life partner. Despite their desire to visit relatives often, Matvey’s tight schedule made it difficult. But now they decided to take a vacation to help his mother and take care of household matters.

The next evening, the family decided to have a barbecue. Andryusha, their son, happily played in the sandbox with toy cars. Matvey and his childhood friend Pashka planned the roof repair, then discussed work on Pavel’s house. The latter joked that a good plan is already half the success, and a reason for a toast.

Tamara Ivanovna, busy in the kitchen, pretended to be angry at the men, but her face glowed with happiness. Gathering the whole family was a rarity.

«Mom, we have news for you,» Matvey broke the silence.

«What news, son?» she asked curiously.

«Wait, first I need to check your reaction,» he grinned, lightly tapping her with a towel. «We’re staying with you for three weeks!»

Tamara Ivanovna sat down on the bench, shocked by the news: «Why didn’t you tell me earlier? This is wonderful!»

She wiped away tears of joy. Matvey asked worriedly: «Mom, why are you crying?»

«These are tears of happiness, dear,» she replied, smiling warmly.

The family talked for a long time, discussing various topics, and didn’t notice when an unfamiliar woman appeared at the gate. Matvey got up and approached her:

«Hello! Are you coming to us? Please, come in, mom is home.»

The woman entered the yard and hesitantly approached the table: «Sorry if I’m interrupting.»

Vera examined the guest, then glanced at Tamara Ivanovna and noticed how she suddenly turned pale and clutched her heart.

«Tamara Ivanovna, what’s wrong with you?» Vera cried out, rushing to her.

Matvey and Pashka quickly seated her in the house, measured her blood pressure, and gave her a sedative.

When Tamara Ivanovna had somewhat recovered, Matvey went back outside:

«Where’s that woman?» he asked, looking around.

Vera looked at her husband: «She disappeared as soon as Tamara Ivanovna felt better. I don’t understand who she could be. Maybe an acquaintance of your mom?»

«Perhaps one of our distant relatives,» Matvey guessed.

Pavel and Vera exchanged surprised glances.

«How can you be so sure she’s a relative?» asked Vera. «Although… her features do seem familiar. Look in the mirror! If I didn’t know your story, I’d think you were mother and son,» she mused thoughtfully.

Matvey turned to Pasha, puzzled: «Yes, strikingly similar. I swear,» he added.

Matvey sat down on the bench, lost in thought: «What could all this mean? Could she be related to my biological parents? But why have I never seen her before?»

At that moment, Tamara Ivanovna’s voice rang out: «No, Matvey, she’s not our relative… to us and your father. But for you… Yes, she is your real mother.»

Matvey turned pale, and Vera squeezed his hand tightly: «Who?» she whispered.

Tamara Ivanovna sighed deeply: «I’ve been hiding this from you for a long time. All these years, I hoped she wouldn’t appear again… Didn’t understand why she did what she did. But I couldn’t find the strength to start this conversation.»

She began her story: how they had dreamed of a child, but fate was cruel to them. Losing their own baby was a real tragedy for her. But one evening, a doorbell brought a note: «Please give him what I can’t. Give him happiness.»

«Back then, when we had means and authority in the town, we took it as a sign from above. We had to change jobs and move to another district to avoid unnecessary questions. Over time, everyone forgot, and everyone thought you were our own son. I love you with all my heart; you’ve always been the most precious person to me. But Svetlana… She didn’t leave you just like that. It wasn’t her choice, believe me. Half a year ago, she found me, told her story. It wasn’t her fault.

«Mom, do you want me to meet her?» Matvey asked after a long pause.

Vera placed her hand on her husband’s shoulder: «I think it’s necessary. Otherwise, this mystery will haunt you.»

«But where do I look for her?» Matvey wondered.

Pasha, approaching the gate, noted: «She’s there, standing by the tree and crying.»

Matvey stood up, unsure what to say to this woman who once left him. His thoughts were confused: he had grown up with a loving mother and father, now deceased. These images seemed solid, but now everything was crumbling. Nevertheless, his legs carried him to her.

«Hello. We need to talk,» he said uncertainly.

The woman looked up in fright, then timidly touched his shoulder: «I don’t want anything from you, Matvey. Just listen to me…»

Three years passed. Matvey was again in the yard, where every free moment was spent surrounded by family.

«Mom! Where is everyone? Round up the grandkids!» he shouted cheerily.

Andrey ran out of the car, followed by Vera with a little daughter in her arms. Svetlana and Tamara Ivanovna ran out to meet them.

«Oh, my God! We’ve been on the lookout all day, and still we were late!» laughed Tamara Ivanovna.

Svetlana had bought a house nearby, and their relationship had warmed. Initial caution was replaced by sincere friendship. Now they enjoyed the grandchildren together and discussed family matters. In the evenings, both women shared stories: Tamara with memories of Matvey’s childhood, and Svetlana with her trials.

Now they had formed a special, but strong family. Matvey often joked: «Who would have thought—I, a doctor helping women become mothers, ended up with two mothers, and my children with three grandmothers! Life is full of surprises.»