"Do You Even Know Who He Is?": How a Chance Marriage to a 55-Year-Old Cook Changed 33-Year-Old Nelli's Life

A month later, the late wife's sister tried to force Nelli to waive her inheritance in exchange for money.

— I'll take the money, — Nelli said, — but give it to Matvey and Nastya. It's their mother's inheritance.

Matvey's old grandfather, upon hearing this, gave Nelli the family's alexandrite jewelry.

Soon it turned out that Nelli was pregnant.

— I'm fifty-six, — Tikhon cried. — I'm afraid I won't live to see the child grow up.

— We'll manage, — Nelli comforted him.

A girl, Vasilisa, was born. Matvey and Nastya adored their little sister. One day at the zoo, the happy family ran into Roksana — lonely, having lost everything after her father's arrest. Nelli didn't gloat.

She leaned against her husband's shoulder.

— Thank you for choosing me back then, drunk, in the bar.

— Thank you for choosing me, — Tikhon replied.

Vasilisa laughed, pointing at a peacock. It was the happiest day of Nelli's life, because happiness is when those you love are by your side.