Director Adam Nowacki stood up slowly, as if his every move burdened him with the weight of the entire world. There was not only concern in his eyes, but also something more… something that resembled long-hidden regret.
The last time he saw this face was almost twenty years ago. Back then she was young, full of dreams, illuminated by the splendor of life. Now – tired, damaged, homeless.
It was her. Lena.
No one present knew this story. Even the youngest nurses had no idea that once, a long time ago, Dr. Nowacki had a fiancée. A girl from a poor family who one day disappeared without a trace. They said she ran away, that she left. But the truth was different – and right now she was looking into his eyes.
Adam didn’t say a word. He just turned to the head midwife.
— Danuta, prepare a separate room for her. Give your best. Monitor the condition of the fetus. And… no one is allowed to touch her without my order. You understand?
Danuta opened her mouth as if to protest, but seeing his face, she nodded and hurried away.
Lena was too weak to speak. But when she opened her eyes for a moment and looked at him, something familiar flashed in them – an echo of an old feeling. Then she fell back on the pillow, as if her body could finally rest.
Adam sat by her bed for a long time. He held in his hand the same hand that he had once been unable to hold. Thousands of questions were swirling in his head. Why didn’t she come back? Where has she been all these years? And will the child she is carrying really have to deal with loneliness?
But the most important question rang louder and louder in his mind:
Is there really still a chance to repair what was once irretrievably lost?
