After finishing school, Taya graduated from medical college and returned to her home village, where she had long dreamed of working as a nurse in the local clinic. The place had recently been rebuilt, stocked with new equipment. But Vera Timofeyevna, the elderly woman who had served the village as its only medic for decades, was growing frail. She had waited all these years, and when Taya arrived to take over, she sighed with relief.
“Oh, Taya love, at last! Im old now, shouldve retired years ago. But your father, John, begged me to stay until you got your diploma. Now I can hand everything over with a clear conscience.”
“Of course, Aunt Vera, Ill start right away. Rest now, but if I need helpIve no experience yetIll come to you.”
“Anytime, love. Just ask.”
So began Tayas days as the village nurse. At first, folk came just to test hersome with genuine aches, others merely wanting their blood pressure checked. But after a year, trust grew. She treated everyone with care, and the villagers warmed to her.
Then Max started visiting more oftencomplaining of a bad back, a sore knee, a cut finger. Always with him was Anna, the elderly assistant nurse whod worked there for years.
“That Max seems to find all sorts of reasons to drop by,” Anna chuckled, noticing the way the lad looked at Tayaand the way Taya looked back.
Love blossomed between them. Soon they walked hand in hand, inseparable. Before long, Max proposed, and Taya accepted with joy. She hadnt noticed that Mick, the tall, handsome tractor driver, watched her too. Once, he even tried to walk her homebut she refused sharply.
“Mick, havent you heard? Im marrying Max. The weddings soon.”
“Heard? The whole village wont shut up about it,” he scoffed. “But I fancy you too. And Im better-looking than your Max. Whats wrong with me?”
“Leave it, Mick. I love Max, and he loves me. Plenty of girls aroundfind one and be happy.”
She didnt realize how deeply shed wounded Micks pride. Nor could she have known, for her every thought was fixed on Max. The wedding came, and the whole village celebrated.
A year later, Taya gave birth to a son, Stevie. Both families adored himgrandparents, aunts, uncles. Taya stayed home with the baby while Anna managed the clinic, calling the district hospital if neededthough she sometimes rang Taya for advice.
Lost in motherhood, Taya didnt notice Max pulling awayuntil it was too late. One evening, he came home grim-faced.
“How long have you known Mick?”
“Everyone knows himhes from the village. Came in once with a cut.”
“Straight to you?”
“To the clinic. Anna treated him. Whats this about? Are you jealous?” she laughed.
“The whole village is saying Stevie isnt minethat hes Micks.”
Maxs words struck like ice.
“Have you lost your mind? What nonsense is this?”
“Johnyour own fatherwent to Mick, and he admitted it. Said you two had an affair.”
Taya reeled. Now she understood why her parents had stopped visiting. She barely left the househow could she have known?
Mick had spread the lie himself, whispering it in every ear, twisting the truth until even her in-laws turned against her.
“Your son will leave that hussy soon,” her mother-in-law hissed to John. “Fancy bringing a bastard into the family!”
Johns fists clenched. He cornered Mick.
“Is it true what theyre saying? That my grandson isnt Maxs?”
Mick shrugged. “Why would I lie? Your daughter threw herself at me. Wanted to leave her husband. But whod take a girl like that?”
John staggered back, too shocked to speak.
Days passed before Max finally packed his things and left.
“God, what have I done?” Taya sobbed, clutching Stevie. “I love him!”
Now she sat alone, watching the sunset burn over the village. Stevie dozed in his crib. She had planned to return to work soon.
“Oh, Stevie,” she whispered, tears falling. “No one wants us now.”
Only her friend Lucy still visited, bringing groceries.
“Max was wrong to believe the gossip,” Lucy sighed. “And Mickoh, Mick. Ive loved him for years, you know. He swears you chased him. I dont believe itbut who listens to me?”
“Why would he do this?”
Lucy hesitated. “Maybe because you refused him. He couldnt stand it. Now that Max is gone” She bit her lip. “If only he wanted me like that.”
“But I have a husband, Lucy! Mick hasnt even come near me since Max left. Everyones turned awayeven my parents. There was never anything between us, I swear.”
“I believe you. But you must talk to Mick. I triedhe just brushed me off.”
Taya knew she had tobut how? What would people say?
Then, two days later, Lucy came running.
“Quick, someones sick! I called an ambulance, but the roads are floodedthey might not come!”
Taya hurried, leaving Stevie with a neighbor.
When they reached Micks cottage, she froze.
“I wont go in there.”
“Please,” Lucy begged. “If he dies, II couldnt bear it!”
Taya set her jaw. “Only if he admits the truth.”
Lucy nodded desperately.
Inside, Mick lay pale, poisoned by drink. Taya worked swiftlyflushing his stomach, setting an IV. By dawn, the worst had passed.
Two days later, word spread: Mick was leaving the village for good. He stood by the bus stop, rucksack on his back, villagers gathering around.
“Forgive me,” he said hoarsely. “I loved Tayabut she turned me down. In anger, I lied about her. I thought if Max left, I could have her. But it was madness. There was never anything between us.”
John arrived just then, fists clenched.
“Forgive me too, John. I shamed your daughter. I cant stay here now.”
Only Lucy wept as he boarded the bus.
“Good riddance,” Tayas mother-in-law spat.
In time, the gossip faded. Tayas parents came, begging forgiveness. Then her in-laws. Even Max returned.
But the hurt lingered. It took months before Taya could trust again, before she smiled as she treated her patientswho, despite everything, had never stopped loving her.
