Anton had always treated himself the boss of his life. While others were plodding through textbooks, Anton was already busy with business. Sometimes he was reselling cars, other times he was collecting computers to order. It was then that he met Albina. She was a humble honor student, studying a foreign language.
They became lovers. Then, they got married. Soon their firstborn, Dimka, was born. Albina threw herself wholeheartedly into motherhood. A couple of years later, a daughter, Lenochka, arrived. Taking care of two little ones wasted all her time and energy. Albina wanted to hire a nanny.
But Anton rejected it.
Children should be cared for by their mother. Anton said that he was investing everything in developing his business. Meanwhile, he’d buy a big TV, or a car for himself, or go out with friends. And when Albina required a hairdryer, her husband said that her old one was just good.
Time passed away. The children grew up and started school. Albina began to feel lonely and tired. If Albina asked him to go somewhere, Anton would say he was busy while he always found time to meet with his friends.
— We’d better get divorce, — Anton blurted out. — I’m tired of this whole family game. I have my own life. And I need freedom.
— Break up? — Albina said. — What about the children? What about me?
— Well, you’ll be fine, — Anton shrugged. — You’re a mother, after all. You’ll handle somehow.
That very evening, Anton moved out, pick up all his things. Albina couldn’t believe that her comfortable life had destr0yed overnight. She began to find a job. She had to leave the children with a neighbor.
With great difficulty, she handled to get a job as a cleaner at a shopping mall.
It wasn’t the job Albina had wanted, She had to take on extra shifts at night. Albina was ripped between work and home. And then she would be busted in the evenings.
— Mommy, why are you always at work? — little Lena asked. — I miss you so much.
— I’m sorry, sweetheart, — Albina sighed. — I need to earn money to buy us food and clothes.
— And what about Daddy? He earns a lot. Why doesn’t he help us?
Albina didn’t know what to say. Anton had seemingly disappeared from their lives.
Albina barely controlled to get time off from work and went to the office. There, she was in for a sh0ck. It happened that grandfather had been quietly buying shares of various companies throughout his life. And now he had left his entire inheritance to his beloved granddaughter.
Albina couldn’t believe her ears.
She remembered how grandfather always said, “Save your pennies, granddaughter. They’ll come in handy someday.” Now shae understood it.
Albina decided to use the money shrewdly.
She entered in professional development courses to return to her field. And part of the funds was invested in a small business. She opened a café in their neighborhood.
She was happy in working in the dining area sometimes—it helps her feel better the café’s atmosphere and chat with the patrons.
Albina naturally turned to welcome the new guests—and froze. He is Anton. Next to him was a young, striking blonde. She approached the table the couple had chosen.
— Good afternoon. What would you like to order? — Albina said.
Anton looked up from the menu and stared at his ex-wife in sh0ck:
— Albina? Are you working here as a waitress?
— Yes, I work here, — the woman replied calmly. — So, what will you have?
— Two cappuccinos and croissants, — Anton said. — Look at you, down on your luck. I thought you were still working as a cleaner. – he smirked.
— Your order will be ready in a few minutes, — she said.
When Albina brought the order, Anton couldn’t continue commenting again:
— You’re doing pretty well. Maybe serving coffee really is your calling?
Albina said nothing.
— Albina! How are you? So, shall we discuss our proposal? Are you free now?
Albina smiled:
— Well, as you can see, I’m working a bit on the side.
The second man laughed.
— You, as usual. In your situation, everyone is in offices, and here you are, out among the people.
Albina said:
— Enjoy your meal.
Anton sat there, mouth agape.
— So you’re the owner? — he finally managed to ask.
Albina smiled:
— Yes, this is my cafe’. Enjoy. If you need anything, you can ask the waitress Lena.
And Albina came into the office. She could experience her ex-husband’s surprised gaze on her back. It was obvious that she had finally let go of the past.
I Married My Father’s Friend – I Was Stunned When I Saw What He Started Doing on Our Wedding Night
I Married My Father’s Friend – I Was Stunned When I Saw What He Started Doing on Our Wedding Night
Amber had given up on love but sparks fly when she meets her father’s old friend, Steve, at a BBQ. As their whirlwind romance leads to marriage, everything seems perfect. But on their wedding night, Amber discovers Steve has an unsettling secret that changes everything.
I pulled up to my parents’ house and stared at the line of cars parked across the lawn.
“What’s this all about?” I muttered, already bracing myself for whatever family surprise was waiting inside.
A woman in her car | Source: Midjourney
I grabbed my purse, locked the car, and headed toward the house, hoping it was nothing too chaotic.
As soon as I opened the door, the smell of grilled meat hit me, along with the sound of my dad’s booming laugh. I walked into the living room and peeked out the back window.
Of course, Dad was hosting some kind of impromptu BBQ. The whole backyard was filled with people, most of them from his auto repair shop.
People at a BBQ | Source: Pexels
“Amber!” Dad’s voice cut through my thoughts as he flipped a burger with that same apron he’s had for years. “C’mon, grab a drink and join us. It’s just the guys from work.”
I tried not to groan. “Looks like the whole town’s here,” I mumbled, slipping off my shoes.
Before I could join in the familiar, chaotic atmosphere, the doorbell rang. Dad tossed the spatula down and wiped his hands on his apron.
A man walking into a house | Source: Midjourney
“That must be Steve,” he said, almost to himself. He glanced at me as he reached for the doorknob. “You haven’t met him yet, right?”
Before I could even answer, Dad had already flung the door open.
“Steve!” he boomed, giving the guy a solid clap on the back. “Come on in, you’re just in time. Oh, and meet my daughter, Amber.”
I looked up, and my heart skipped a beat.
A man standing on a doorstep | Source: Midjourney
Steve was tall and a little rough around the edges in a ruggedly handsome way, with graying hair and eyes that somehow managed to be both warm and deep. He smiled at me, and I felt this strange flutter in my chest that I wasn’t prepared for.
“Nice to meet you, Amber,” he said, offering his hand.
His voice was calm and steady. I shook his hand, a little self-conscious about how I must look after driving for hours.
“Nice to meet you, too.”
A woman | Source: Midjourney
From that point on, I couldn’t stop glancing at him. He was the kind of man who made everyone around him comfortable, always listening more than talking. I tried to focus on the conversations around me, but every time our eyes met, I felt this pull.
It was ridiculous. I hadn’t even been thinking about love or relationships for ages. Not after everything I’d been through.
I’d pretty much given up on finding “the one” and was more focused on work and family. But something about Steve made me want to reconsider, even though I wasn’t ready to admit it.
A thoughtful woman | Source: Midjourney
As the day wound down, I finally said my goodbyes and headed to my car. Of course, when I tried to start it, the engine sputtered and died.
“Great,” I groaned, slumping back in my seat. I considered going back inside to ask Dad for help, but before I could, there was a knock on my window.
It was Steve.
“Car trouble?” he asked, smiling as if this kind of thing happened every day.
A smiling man | Source: Midjourney
I sighed. “Yeah, it’s not starting. I was just going to get my dad, but…”
“Don’t worry about it. Let me take a look,” he offered, already rolling up his sleeves.
I watched him work, his hands moving with practiced ease. Within a few minutes, my car roared back to life. I hadn’t even realized I was holding my breath until I exhaled.
A car engine | Source: Pexels
“There you go,” he said, wiping his hands on a rag. “Should be good now.”
I smiled, genuinely grateful. “Thanks, Steve. I guess I owe you one.”
He shrugged and gave me a look that made my stomach flip. “How about dinner? We can call it even.”
I froze for a second. Dinner? Was he asking me out?
A smiling man | Source: Midjourney
I felt that familiar flicker of doubt, the little voice in the back of my head reminding me of all the reasons I shouldn’t say yes. But something in Steve’s eyes made me want to take the chance.
“Yeah, dinner sounds good.”
And just like that, I agreed. I never would’ve imagined then that Steve was exactly the man I needed to heal my wounded heart… or how deeply he’d hurt me, either.
A woman | Source: Midjourney
Six months later, I stood in front of the mirror in my childhood bedroom, staring at myself in a wedding dress. It was surreal, honestly. After everything I’d been through, I didn’t think this day would ever come.
I was 39 years old, and I’d given up on the whole fairy tale, but here I was — about to marry Steve.
The wedding was small, just close family and a few friends, exactly what we wanted.
A wedding venue | Source: Pexels
I remember standing at the altar, looking into Steve’s eyes, and feeling this overwhelming sense of calm. For the first time in a long time, I wasn’t second-guessing anything.
“I do,” I whispered, barely able to keep the tears from spilling over.
“I do,” Steve said back, his voice thick with emotion.
And just like that, we were husband and wife.
A newlywed couple | Source: Pexels
That night, after all the congratulations and hugs, we finally got some alone time. Steve’s house, our house now, was quiet, the rooms still unfamiliar to me. I slipped into the bathroom to change into something more comfortable, my heart full and light.
But the minute I slipped back into the bedroom, I was greeted by a shocking sight.
Steve was sitting on the edge of the bed, his back to me, talking softly to someone… a someone who wasn’t there!
A man speaking to someone | Source: Midjourney
My heart skipped a beat.
“I wanted you to see this, Stace. Today was perfect… I just wish you could’ve been here.” His voice was soft, full of emotion.
I stood frozen in the doorway, trying to make sense of what I was hearing.
“Steve?” My voice sounded small, unsure.
He turned around slowly, guilt flickering across his face.
A startled man | Source: Midjourney
“Amber, I—”
I stepped closer, the air between us thick with unspoken words. “Who… who were you talking to?”
He took a deep breath, his shoulders slumping. “I was talking to Stacy. My daughter.”
I stared at him, the weight of his words slowly sinking in. He’d told me he’d had a daughter. I knew she had died. But I didn’t know about… this.
A concerned woman | Source: Midjourney
“She died in a car accident, with her mom,” he continued, his voice strained. “But sometimes I talk to her. I know it sounds crazy, but I just… I feel like she’s still here with me. Especially today. I wanted her to know about you. I wanted her to see how happy I am.”
I didn’t know what to say. My chest felt tight and I couldn’t quite catch my breath. Steve’s grief was raw, a living thing between us, and it made everything feel heavy.
But I didn’t feel scared. I didn’t feel angry. Just… so sad. Sad for him, for everything he’d lost, and the way he’d been carrying it all alone. His grief hurt me as though it were my own.
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