Hungry, with a child in her arms, she decided to ask a stranger for money. What he handed her made the woman’s hair stand on end.

When the nurse swung open the heavy doors of the maternity hospital and said to the young woman, «Go with God, girl,» her voice was steady, almost caring. But her gaze, that icy gaze, as if she were looking not at a person, but at statistics. Well, another girl, unmet by anyone, no flowers, no balloons.

And others, over there, bringing champagne, thanks, candies. And this one, clearly a single mother. Why do they even have kids! Can’t provide for themselves or the child, thought the nurse, watching the skinny girl clumsily carrying the bundle with the baby.

Emma, that was the name of that very young mom, slowly walked out of the hospital, looking around. Outside, spring was blooming, generously scattering the lilac scent. Somewhere nearby, families were bursting with happiness, greeting newborns, and some men, trying their best not to cry, held their tiny miracles in their arms.

But no one came for Emma. She stood on the porch and tried to figure out where her taxi had gone, the one ordered an hour ago. It was past three in the afternoon, and now almost four, but the car was nowhere in sight.

Maybe I made a mistake, or the dispatcher. Chaotic thoughts raced through her head. But what really tormented her was one simple fact—she had nowhere to go.

Behind her, the door slammed loudly, and a noisy group came out onto the porch. One of the women in a bright dress and with a huge bouquet was effusively thanking someone for the excellent service, another was enthusiastically explaining something to the new father, who was glowing with happiness. Emma felt out of place in this celebration of life.

Just a couple of months ago, she couldn’t have imagined being in such a situation. A year ago, she was an ordinary student. Studying, making plans, dreaming.

And now… Emma pressed the bundle with her daughter closer to her chest, as if trying to protect her from the cruel reality. Tears treacherously welled up, but she held back. No, not now.

She couldn’t break down now, only… Emma had come to this city from a small town. After high school, she didn’t go anywhere because she couldn’t leave her grandmother, who had raised her. Her parents died when Emma was ten.

But Grandma Valerie always believed in her granddaughter. «You’re smart, the city is waiting for you. Study, dear, break out of poverty too.»

And when her grandmother passed away, Emma fulfilled her dream by enrolling in university. She studied brilliantly, received a scholarship as an orphan. It seemed like life was starting to improve.

And then, in her junior year, she met him. Ethan. Five years older, confident, charismatic, working at a solid company.

He turned her head so quickly that she didn’t even notice how she moved from the dorm to his apartment. Back then, it seemed like the love of her life. Ethan said the right things, cared, hugged her as if he wanted to protect her from the whole world.

But as soon as she mentioned marriage, he changed the subject: «Why? A piece of paper won’t change anything, okay.» And yet Emma believed. Once she got her diploma, they would get married, start a family, be happy.

Then she found out she was pregnant. At first, euphoria—now everything would definitely be different. Now he would be with me forever.

But Ethan took the news strangely. «What?» «Pregnancy.» «Well, we need to do something about it.»

«Decide quickly,» he said dryly over the phone, as if talking about choosing pizza for dinner. Emma couldn’t believe her ears. «Ethan, I can’t…

I have negative Rh factor, if now, there won’t be children later,» her voice trembled. «But he just shrugged, then decide for yourself.» «But I’m not getting involved, okay.»

Since then, Ethan called rarely. Didn’t ask about the child. Emma still hoped he would come back, change his mind.

«He loved me. How can you just forget everything we had?» She convinced herself. But reality turned out to be cruel.

When Emma was already in her eighth month of pregnancy, Ethan’s mother showed up. Patricia Miller looked at her with such contempt that the girl got scared. «Did you really think my son would marry you? What a naive country bumpkin.

He has a different life now. He’s marrying the boss’s daughter. It’s beneficial.»

«And you, you’re nobody here,» those words sounded like a sentence. Emma didn’t believe it. She called Ethan.

«Is it true?» she asked, and heard «yes» in response. «And stop calling me, okay.» The world collapsed.

That evening, Emma could barely stand from pain and hurt. She ended up in the hospital with the threat of premature labor. The doctors calmed her, and one elderly doctor said, «Why should your child pay for the father’s mistakes?» «It’s not her fault.»

Those words imprinted in her mind. «I’ll survive. I’ll manage.»

For her sake, she decided. And now, standing on the hospital porch, Emma felt just as lost as then. Time passed, but the taxi still wasn’t there.

«Where is it?» she thought nervously. As if confirming her thoughts, the baby started fussing, demanding attention. «Quiet, my little one, mommy will figure something out,» whispered Emma, looking at the noisy crowd having fun nearby.

But for now, she could only think about what would happen tomorrow. Or maybe not tomorrow, but right now. Emma finally waited for the taxi.

A black, slightly beat-up car screeched to a halt at the curb. The driver, a scrawny man in his fifties, didn’t even get out to help with the things. He just waved toward the trunk, like, handle it yourself.

The young mom, still holding her daughter tightly to her chest, somehow placed her simple belongings and sat in the back seat. The driver didn’t even glance her way, starting to complain about traffic and the weather. Emma was silent…