time.

– So you chose him… out of desperation?

– That’s right. But I never wished your mother ill. And he never promised me anything.

Denis thought about it.

The situation was starting to become clear.

– Okay. For the sake of the children, we must formally register the marriage.

“I don’t care,” Eleanor answered softly.

“I can’t imagine my life without you.”

– Just don’t tell me you love me. I won’t believe you anyway.

So Denis married Eleanor.

Not out of passion, not out of romance, but so that the children would be born in a legal marriage.

Over time, everything changed. Eleanor gave birth to twins – a girl and a boy. For the first time in his life, Denis held his children in his arms and realized that he was ready to build a family anew for them.

That night, when the children were sleeping, Denis lay down next to his wife and said for the first time:

– Elka… I’ve loved you for a long time.

I just didn’t want to admit it to myself before.

She smiled, closing her eyes.

– I felt it. And I can’t imagine life without you anymore.