Dropped the Deadweight, Hit the Road
I'd been engaged to Ivan since we were kids.
When he went off to the military, I stayed behind—ten years of caring for his paralyzed mom, putting my whole life on pause.
By the time he came back, I was at the age where most women were settling down.
And he showed up with someone else.
Ivan laid it out, stone cold:
"Nadia's my comrade's widow. If you want to marry me, you'll have to accept her too. Most of my pay goes to her. I promised I'd take care of her. She gets first pick of everything in the house. Don't like it? Then forget about getting married."
I looked past him. Nadia stood there, tears dripping down her cheeks, playing the poor little victim.
Right then, I ended it.
No drama. No regrets.
Signed up for the Rural Teaching Support Program the same day.
Left love behind.
Threw everything I had into teaching.