The world began to return to Katya gradually, as if through a thick fog. The first glimpse of reality was the snowy white ceiling overhead, blurry and indistinct. Sounds emerged one after another: the rhythmic clicking of medical devices, muffled conversations, the rustle of clothing.
«Where am I?» – the thought slowly pushed its way through the depths of oblivion. Memories tossed fragments of recollections: a car accident, wet asphalt, dazzling headlights…
An attempt to move was met with a sharp pain all over the body. A moan escaped on its own, drawing someone’s attention.
«You’re awake! Doctor, hurry!» – a female voice trembled with urgency.
With difficulty focusing her gaze, Katya made out familiar features: Valentina Petrovna, her mother-in-law, usually strict and unapproachable, now looked extraordinarily pale and haggard. Her eyes reddened with tears.
«Katya, dear…» – she said softly, something she had never done before.
In the three years of living together with her elder son Andrey, her relationship with Valentina Petrovna had never worked out. The mother-in-law constantly emphasized the “simplicity” of her daughter-in-law, her excessive independence, and her lack of “proper” manners.
A doctor and nurse entered the room. The doctor cheerfully examined the patient: «Our beauty is back! How are you feeling?»
Dryness in her mouth prevented Katya from answering immediately, and an attempt to speak triggered a coughing fit. The nurse helped her take a few swallows of water.
«I feel terrible,» Katya whispered.
«That is natural after what you’ve been through: multiple injuries, internal bleeding, a severe concussion. You’re very lucky, Ekaterina Alekseevna. Four days in critical condition – just a little longer and the outcome could have been entirely different.»
Now everything fell into place: a rainy evening, loss of control, dazzling oncoming headlights, that dreadful impact…
«And where… is Andrey?» – Katya asked with effort, noticing for the first time her husband’s absence.
An unnatural pause hung in the air. The doctor, nurse, and Valentina Petrovna exchanged meaningful looks.
«Doctor, may we ask you to leave us for a little while?» – the mother-in-law requested.
«Just briefly; she needs rest,» the doctor warned.
When the door closed, Valentina Petrovna sank to the edge of the bed. Her face revealed an inner struggle.
«Katya, I need to tell you something…»
She fell silent for a moment, gathering her courage.
«Andrey is with Vera Nikolaeva right now. They’ve been seeing each other for six months. He was going to talk to you… before the accident.»
Katya froze, unwilling to believe what she heard.
«Are you joking?» she barely whispered.
«I never joke about these matters,» Valentina Petrovna sighed. «You know… I must admit I was wrong. All these years I have been unjust to you. Extremely unjust.»
Katya stared at her mother-in-law in disbelief, unable to process what she’d just heard. Her thoughts tangled, and Valentina Petrovna’s words did not coalesce into any logical chain.
«I actively contributed to your breakup,» continued Valentina Petrovna, her voice filled with sincere remorse. «I instilled in my son the idea that you were incompatible, arranged meetings with other women… I did everything I could to destroy your union.»
Suddenly, all the oddities of recent months – her husband’s coldness, his late returns, his mysterious, hushed conversations – began to make sense. A lump formed in her throat.
«Why?» Katya asked, her voice barely audible.
Valentina Petrovna lowered her gaze. «Because I was a foolish old woman,» she whispered. «I believed I knew what Andrey needed better than anyone. I refused to see your true qualities.»
«What qualities exactly?» Katya asked bitterly.
«You’re strong, honest, and loving,» her mother-in-law answered without hesitation, lifting her eyes. «When I was told about your condition… I stayed by your bedside these four days, praying for your recovery. Just to have the chance to ask for forgiveness.»
The sting of betrayal intermingled with the bewilderment caused by her mother-in-law’s confession.
«And where is Andrey?» Katya finally managed to say.
«He was here on the first day,» Valentina Petrovna sighed. «But he was constantly distracted by that woman. Eventually, he left, saying he couldn’t bear to be ‘torn apart.’»
«He can’t be torn apart…» Katya repeated in a hollow echo. «When his wife is fighting for her life.»
«I am not excusing him,» her mother-in-law shook her head. «After everything happened, I realized the utter baseness of both my behavior and his actions.»
Closing her eyes, Katya felt the final connection to her past life breaking. Strangely, along with the pain came a feeling of relief – as if an unbearable weight had vanished.
«You know,» she said after a minute, «I had felt something was wrong for the last six months. But I kept persuading myself…»
«Don’t be silly,» her mother-in-law gently interrupted. «You believed in family – and that is worthy of respect.»
For the first time in three years, Katya saw before her not a haughty figure but a simply exhausted, repentant person.
«What now?» she asked, feeling an inner emptiness.
«You will recover,» Valentina Petrovna stated firmly. «And I will help you, if you allow it.»
«Why?»
«I am in your debt,» her mother-in-law replied simply. «And… I realized that you mean a great deal to me. You are far better than my son deserves.»
Katya laughed – light and genuine, for the first time in a long while.
«I would have never imagined that I’d be here discussing Andrey with you. And that you would stand by me.»
«Neither would I,» Valentina Petrovna smiled. «Life is full of surprises.»
In the distance, the voices of nurses leading patients out for a walk could be heard…
A month later, Katya sat in the hospital garden, basking in the autumn sun. Her rehabilitation was progressing well, although the emotional wounds healed slower than the physical ones.
«Is it not cold?» Valentina Petrovna offered a thermos of tea.
«Thank you,» Katya smiled, accepting the gift.
Their relationship had transformed completely. The mother-in-law visited her daily, brought home-cooked food, books, and helped with exercises. They held long conversations, uncovering new facets in each other.
«Andrey called today,» Valentina Petrovna cautiously noted.
«And what did he want?» Katya asked calmly.
«To ask about your condition. He says he wants to meet.»
Unscrewing the thermos, Katya said thoughtfully, «A month ago I would have cried at the thought of talking to him… But now, I simply don’t care. Strange, isn’t it?»
«No,» her mother-in-law shook her head. «That means you are truly healing.»
Watching the swirling leaves, Katya smiled.
«By the way, things didn’t work out with Vera for him,» Valentina Petrovna added. «She found a wealthy businessman. Now Andrey admits his mistakes and asks for a second chance…»
«And what do you think?» Katya turned to her.
After a pause, her mother-in-law said, «My son is a fool. He does not deserve a second chance. But the decision is yours.»
Katya laughed — light and sincere, after such a long time.
«I would have never thought that I’d end up sitting here, discussing Andrey with you. And that you would take my side.»
«Neither would I,» Valentina Petrovna smiled. «Life is full of surprises.»
In the distance, the voices of nurses escorting patients out for a stroll were heard…
«I have decided to move back to my hometown after being discharged,» Katya suddenly announced. «To start everything anew.»
«I understand,» Valentina Petrovna nodded sadly. «Too much here is connected to the past.»
«There’s something else,» Katya turned to her. «Would you like to accompany me? At least for a while. It’s wonderful there — quiet, peaceful, and surrounded by nature…»
Valentina Petrovna was taken aback by such an unexpected proposal.
«You… really think so?»
«Absolutely,» Katya confirmed. «I will need help initially. And I feel it would do you good to have a change of scenery as well.»
«And your son?»
«He’s old enough to manage on his own,» Katya smiled.
Through her tears, Valentina Petrovna laughed: «You know, sometimes the most difficult trials become the beginning of something bright.»
Katya silently agreed as she watched the autumn leaves. Sometimes one must lose everything to gain the true values. The destruction of the old makes room to build something more solid and meaningful.
«I will come with you,» Valentina Petrovna suddenly decided. «At least for the first while.»
They exchanged smiles — two women whose fates had unexpectedly intertwined. The future was uncertain, but that did not frighten them now.
«By the way,» Katya recalled, «I still haven’t learned… who found me after the accident?»
«I did,» her mother-in-law answered simply. «Something troubled me that evening. Not being able to reach either of you, I went along your route…»
The story continues in the same vein, preserving the main events but with different phrasing and narrative structure.
The sun was setting, tinting the sky with warm hues. The two women sat side by side, their bond deeper than formal relations. Ahead lay a period of inner growth and, later, new opportunities.
«It’s time to go back,» Valentina Petrovna said, standing up. «The doctor warned us about spending too much time outside.»
«Just a minute longer,» Katya requested, admiring the sunset. «I want to remember this moment.»
That moment, when the past let go and the future shone with new promise.
Valentina Petrovna silently agreed and sat back down. They watched as the day gave way to the evening.
«You know,» Katya broke the silence, «it’s strange, but I’m grateful to fate for that accident.»
«I understand,» her mother-in-law nodded. «Sometimes a fall is necessary to learn how to soar.»
«True,» Katya smiled.
The evening softly enveloped the garden, bringing peace. Tomorrow would be a new day, a step toward recovery and a new life. And they would face it together.
