His Mother Told Him to ‘Get Rid of Her’—A Year Later, He Regretted It (2 of 3)

The ride to the village was silent. “You’ll feel better here,” he said as he left her in the creaky old house. “Will you come back?” she asked. He didn’t answer.

But death never came.

Months later, a young paramedic named Ilya arrived in the village. He checked on her daily, tending to her with quiet kindness. She hadn’t asked to be saved — but something in her began to resist giving up. Slowly, she stood. Then stepped outside. Then walked to the store. People stared in disbelief.

A year later, Artyom returned — not to see her, but to claim her property. Instead, he found her on the porch, pink-cheeked, tea in hand.

“Are you… alive?” he stammered.

“Yes,” she said calmly. “Surprised?”

His silence was answer enough. She told him she’d survived not because of him, but in spite of him — thanks to the man who came every evening without expecting anything in return. Then she sent him away.

Fate, however, had other plans. A notary arrived days later with shocking news: her estranged father had died, leaving her a city apartment and a large sum of money. She hadn’t seen him in years — and now he was gone, along with secrets she didn’t yet understand.

Back in the city, she confirmed everything. She was no longer the abandoned wife in a drafty shack — she was free. Then, in a marketplace, she saw Artyom again. He stood with a pregnant woman. “Did you think I’d stay dead to the world?” she asked coldly.

Life with Ilya grew into something steady and warm. He never pushed, never pried — just stayed. But one winter evening, a letter arrived warning her that Ilya might not be who he claimed. Curiosity gnawed at her until she searched his office and found her own medical files, financial documents, even her father’s will.

When she confronted him, he admitted the truth: he had been sent to watch her, part of a scheme involving her inheritance. But somewhere along the way, he’d chosen her over the plan.