Running late for her abortion appointment, the woman realized she had left her documents in the car…

I can. And I will, if you interfere with my life. Alex tried to take her hand, but she pulled away.

Paula, I love you. If you loved, you wouldn’t have left for another. Alex, it’s over between us.

And what about the child? How will you raise him alone? Not alone. I’m adopting a boy from the orphanage. What? Alex couldn’t believe his ears.

Have you gone mad? No. I’ve finally found my senses. Alex, leave.

And don’t come back. She turned and walked to the exit. Alex caught up with her in the parking lot.

Paula, wait. Give me a chance. Give us a chance.

We had no chance from the moment you left for Ingrid. Goodbye, Alex. She got in the car and drove away without looking back.

In the rearview mirror, she saw Alex standing in the middle of the parking lot, confused and depressed. At home, Paula sat by the window for a long time, thinking about the meeting with her ex-husband. Strangely, she felt neither pain nor joy from his return.

Only relief that this chapter of her life was finally closed. Time passed, Paula got used to the new rhythm of life. Work, collecting documents for adoption, regular visits to Mike, doctor’s appointments for pregnancy.

Her belly was already noticeably rounded, the term was 20 weeks. The documents for adoption were almost ready. Only the last commissions remained and waiting for the decision.

Paula tried not to think about the possibility of refusal. Mike had become dear to her, and the thought that he would stay in the orphanage was unbearable. The boy had also changed during this time.

He became more open, started smiling, even made friends with some children in the orphanage. Regular meetings with Paula gave him what he had been deprived of all his life—the feeling that he was needed by someone. «Paula,» he said during one of the visits, «is your child moving already?» «Yes, for several weeks.»

«Do you want to feel?» Mike carefully placed his palm on her belly. At that moment, the child kicked, and the boy surprisedly pulled his hand away. «He’s strong?» «Of course.»

«And soon he’ll be born?» «And can I play with him?» «Of course.» «You’ll be his big brother?» Mike’s eyes lit up. The word «brother» was new to him—in the orphanage, he had no relatives.

«And what will you name him?» «I don’t know yet.» «Do you have a suggestion?» «Maybe Nicholas?» «Like my grandpa?» «Grandpa?» «Well, yes.» Paula nodded.

She remembered Nina’s father—a strict but fair man who worked as an engineer at a factory. «Nicholas is a good name.» I’ll think about it.

That same day, returning home from the orphanage, Paula ran into the new colleague at the hospital that the chief physician had mentioned. Eugene Coleman turned out to be a man about 38, tall, with gray eyes and a calm character. «Paula?» he addressed her in the corridor.

«My name is Eugene Coleman. Dr. Stephens said you’d introduce me to the methods of your department.» Of course, Paula smiled.

«Tomorrow I have an operation, you can assist.» «With pleasure. The operation went excellently.»

Eugene proved to be an experienced surgeon with a steady hand and quick reaction. After the operation, they drank coffee in the doctors’ room and discussed technique features. «You work excellently,» Eugene said.

«In New York, I’ve seen many surgeons, but ones like you are few. Thank you.» «And why did you move from New York to our city?» «Tired of the big city.»

«Wanted to work in a calmer environment.» «And personal circumstances.» «Divorced recently.

Wanted to start life from a clean slate.» Paula realized they had a lot in common. They both went through relationship breakups, both sought new meanings in life.

Over the next weeks, they often worked together. Eugene was not only an excellent surgeon but also an interesting conversationalist. He talked about his work in New York, about complex cases he encountered.

Paula talked about her plans—about the child, adopting Mike. «You’re an amazing woman,» Eugene said one day. «Not everyone would decide on adoption, especially while pregnant.

Circumstances aligned so that I had no choice,» Paula answered. «This boy needs a family, and I need him. Can I meet him somehow? Want to go with me to the orphanage? If you don’t mind.»

The next day, they went to Mike together. The boy was initially wary seeing an unfamiliar man, but Eugene quickly found common ground with him. He told several interesting stories from his practice, showed simple coin tricks he knew from childhood.

«Uncle Gene is kind,» Mike said to Paula when Eugene stepped away to talk to the caregiver. «He’s a good person.» «How do you know?» «I feel it.»

«He has a bright aura.» «Aura?» «Well, yes.» «I see a glow around people.»..