Elina sat upright, the stroller was next to her, and Marek was opposite, leaning slightly forward, as if he was afraid of losing sight of her. His hands were shaking, but he tried to keep his face calm.
“I was a coward,” he began hoarsely. — That day I was more scared than ever before. No wedding, no future. Himself. Responsibility. I ran away because I thought I couldn’t make it.
Elina tightened her fingers on the armrest of the bench.
— And you thought my humiliation was a lesser price than your fear?
He lowered his head.
– There are no excuses for this. I see. But seeing you now… with them…” he motioned to the cart, his voice breaking, “I understand what I’ve lost.”
The little ones moved, one of them cried. Elina leaned over, took out the pacifier and soothed the baby. She did it so confidently and gently that Marek couldn’t look away.
“You did it,” he said quietly. – Alone.
“I had no choice,” she replied firmly. — Every day was a struggle. I didn’t wait for help or support. And now, Mark, you have arrived. Why should I trust you?
He looked at her, and there was no old confidence in his eyes – only exhaustion and genuine guilt.
— I don’t want to take your children away or force you to do anything. I just want a chance to be by your side. Maybe not for you, but for them.
Elina sighed. She saw that he had changed. But the memory of that day, the cold stares of the guests, the broken dreams still haunted me.
– Do you know their names? she asked suddenly.
“No,” he whispered.
“These are Lina, Mateo and Sofia,” she said. -Your children. But that doesn’t mean you have a right to their life right away. This right must be earned.
The words hit him harder than the reproach. He nodded.
– Then tell me how. What should I do?
She was silent for a long time. Then she looked up.
– Start small. They don’t know you. You are a stranger to them. If you want, come sometime. Sit next to me. But without big promises and beautiful words. I know the price of words too well.
Marek felt a tightness in his chest – both pain and a strange hope.
– I agree. I will do whatever it takes.
They sat in silence. The violinist moved to the melody of “Ave Maria”, the wind stirred the leaves.
“You know,” Elina said suddenly, “I’ve learned to forgive. But not for you. For myself and the children. You can’t live clinging to pain. But forgiveness is not going back. Do you understand the difference?
“Yes,” he nodded. — I don’t expect us to be together again. I just want… to have the right to be next to them when they take their first steps, when they say their first words.
Elina looked at him carefully. There was no old love in her eyes, but there was no hatred either. There was caution.
“Let’s see how you do,” she said finally. — But remember: I won’t forgive them for one more disappearance.
Marek got up, but he didn’t go to her, but to the stroller. Carefully, with trepidation as if he was afraid to disturb his sleep, he looked at the little ones. A quiet, unknown smile appeared on his lips.
“They’re wonderful,” he whispered. – Thank you for them.
Elina looked at him and for the first time in many years she felt that the past could not be forgotten, but let go. Maybe not for him – for the future.
She got up, took the cart and said:
– We have to go back now. If you want to see them again – come to the park at the same time tomorrow.
Mark froze, then nodded.
– I will be.
Elina left, the babies panted quietly under the blankets. There was no lightness in her heart, but there was a feeling – as if the door she had closed forever had been slightly opened. Now everything depended not only on her.
And Marek, looking after her, realized for the first time in many years: he had a chance. But she was too fragile to lose again.