Newborns were wailing and howling, but one little bundle of joy was silently sobbing, as if realizing he wasn’t required. Aunt Nelia, the severe sanitation worker, looked at the tiny kid with tears in her eyes, stern and feared by patients and young nurses.Then she made her way to the ward where Ann was being treated. “At the very least, take a look at your son!” she exclaimed from the threshold. Ann kept staring out the window, not moving her head.

“You will be punished by fate.” You’ll be sorry, you’ll be sorry someday. How can anyone say no to such an angel? What if you had a child without a marriage certificate? Do you think you should abandon the child? Newborns were wailing and howling, but one little bundle of joy was silently sobbing, as if realizing he wasn’t required. Aunt Nelia, the severe sanitation worker, looked at the tiny kid with tears in her eyes, stern and feared by patients and young nurses.

Then she made her way to the ward where Ann was being treated. “At the very least, take a look at your son!” she exclaimed from the threshold. Ann kept staring out the window, not moving her head. “You will be punished by fate.” You’ll be sorry, you’ll be sorry someday. How can anyone say no to such an angel? What if you had a child without a marriage certificate? Do you think you should abandon the child? Ann was unconcerned.

She gave birth distant from her house. Nobody would ever find out. She’d be released the next day. She’d forget about the pesky sanitation man and the small bundle once she’d crossed the hospital’s threshold. She’d be gorgeous and free once more. Her form was not ruined by childbirth. She wished it was evening, night, or morning… Igor was not pleased when Ann informed him that she was pregnant. He had one more year of college to go.

His father “assisted” him in getting into university by telling him not to bring girlfriends to the house while he was studying. Igor always dressed elegantly, which drew admiration and envy. He first noticed Ann in a cafe where students sometimes congregated. The cafe was located between Igor’s institution of technology and Ann’s cooperative technical school. She was the most attractive student in her class. His college admirers never got the chance to meet her.

College students, on the other hand, were a different story. A few talks were canceled. Ann went to get some coffee. There were no available seats. In the midst of the cafe, she stood with a cup of hot drink and a pastry. “A gentleman should give his seat to a lady,” she overheard someone say close. She was about to respond dismissively, as she often did. But she bit her tongue when she noticed a fashionable and gorgeous young man. He offered her his place at the table and sat himself on the edge. “Why have I never seen you at the institute?” she wondered. “I study at the technical school,” she explained.

“I see nearby schools…” That’s how they met… They were a lovely pair. The ladies moaned… An’s parents lived in a neighborhood center. She couldn’t wait to tell them about Igor. He wasn’t thrilled with the notion, however. He never invited himself to the party. He offered excuses, blaming his parents’ hectic schedule and other factors. He, on the other hand, eagerly visited Ann’s apartment, which she lived with her classmate, Ania.

Quiet and humble Ann was the polar opposite of Ania. When Igor arrived, she immediately exited the flat. She never mentioned their meetings to anyone and never asked any questions. Ania was a great student who enjoyed going to the library and having adventures in bookstores. Ann “delighted” Igor with her pregnancy during one of their sessions. “How much money do you need for an abortion?” he inquired. “I’m terrified of abortion…

Let’s make a baby. “Don’t you adore me?” “Consider the sum. I’m not going to ask twice…” She did everything she could to conceal her pregnancy. Then she admitted it to her parents. They arranged to have her give birth to acquaintances in the surrounding region. They’d say she was in poor health. What happens next? Ann returned to school in mid-September. Nobody had any suspicions. She never saw Igor again. She began working in the regional center after finishing technical school.

Alexei Ivanovich, her old instructor, fell in love with her after seeing her during one of his lectures. They had a child. She never told anyone about her dedicated son, not even her husband. She, like Igor, began to despise him. Ann reared her daughter with envy. Natali objected when she claimed she wanted to attend a university in the neighboring regional center. Her husband approved of the plan. He paid tutors and chauffeured her to her tests.

Natali enrolled in college. Ann was more interested in Natali’s guy than in her schoolwork. Ann became concerned when Natali did not return home on weekends. Alexei emphasized that she was simply concerned, as any mother would be. Ann, on the other hand, had a completely different plan… Natali fell in love during her fourth year.Daniel was employed in a bank. She informed her parents that she wished to present them to her future husband. Ann and Alexei prepared for the meeting on Saturday.

The doorbell rang shortly after noon. “Here we are,” Natali said as she crossed the threshold. “Meet Daniel.” Ann was rendered speechless: Igor walked into the house… She was hardly able to keep her cool. Aunt Nelia, a sanitation worker, said, “Your fate will punish you.” “Dad, what’s the matter with Mom?” “She seems strange,” Natali observed. “She’s just concerned.” “I’ve never seen her like this before,” Alexei said. “Mom, Dad,” Natali began, “I want to tell you something so there won’t be any questions later.”

“My adopted brother is Daniel.” Mom had left him at the maternity hospital shortly after his birth. She was such a cold-hearted woman. He was adopted by an amazing family. They liked me, and I liked them. “My parents are very proud of Daniel and believe he will one day become a very important banker,” Natali quipped. “And, for now, Dad, crack open the champagne.” “Hey, Mom, are you with us?” She had no idea how to confess her wrongdoing. Her daughter adored Daniel and would never forgive her mother.

Her husband, on the other hand, is unlikely to forgive her. Alexei poured a glass of champagne. “To you, the young and in love!” he said, raising his glass. Natali gave Daniel a peck on the cheek. Ann grasped her chest… “Don’t marry him… he…” she said to Natali in the ambulance on the way to the hospital. “She can’t talk,” the doctor said. “Her daughter loves him, and she’ll never forgive you.” Natali is unlikely to forgive her father either. “Your mother mentioned something about a brother.” It’s a good thing you’ve arrived. Go home now. It’s nearly midnight.”