Deciding she needed some relief, Vera packed a bag and went to stay with her mother in a neighboring town.

The test results that had so frightened Albert actually belonged to Vera’s friend, Marina. Knowing Marina was back in the city, Vera bought her favorite pastries and paid her a visit.

“Albert?” Vera froze on the threshold, unable to believe her eyes.

“Vera… Didn’t you say you were coming?” Marina appeared in a silk robe. “We’re a bit busy right now… Albert’s painting me. You’re interrupting.”

“So you two are together now?”

“Sorry, dear, but why should you be the only one who’s happy?” Marina smiled, though guilt flickered in her eyes.

Vera didn’t bother asking if Albert knew about Marina’s condition—the very illness that had once caused him to abandon his wife. They had been seeing each other behind her back, betraying her again and again.

Two weeks later, she officially got divorced. Meanwhile, Albert married Marina, seeing her as the muse who would help him succeed.

Time went on, and Vera’s career soared. Her heart opened up to someone new: Pavel, an old acquaintance, confided that he had harbored romantic feelings for her for a long time.

They got married. When Vera found out she was pregnant, she was over the moon. One weekend, while Pavel was out shopping, Albert came over.

“You knew! Why didn’t you tell me?” His voice trembled with indignation.

“I did know. But you made that choice yourself. And it turned out to be the right one for you.”

He bowed his head, realizing how deeply he’d hurt Vera. He’d hoped she might help him, but he knew that was impossible. After a few minutes of silence, Albert turned around and left. He would have to accept the consequences of his own choices.