Kuzmin Guseva was your whole world. People in your town looked at you both with envy. You were the perfect couple.

Every day, he brought you flowers. He made you laugh until your heart felt full. He took you to your favorite place by the river, where you sat together under the old acacia tree. You dreamed of the future—of being his wife, of having his children, of growing old together.

But then, the General’s order came. All men were forced to go to war.

He was taken away. Five long years passed in the fighting.

His promise to return was the only thing that kept you alive. You waited faithfully. Day after day, year after year, you never lost hope.

But your family told you he was gone forever. They said he died in the war. They forced you to marry a rich man, even though your heart screamed no. You had no choice. You married another man, and had a child.

Then, after five years… he came back.

Kuzmin returned, just as he promised. The man who truly loved you was standing there. He ran to your house, full of excitement, holding flowers and a small ring box. He was ready to make you his forever.

But when he saw youholding a baby in your arms, a wedding ring shining on your finger—his face went pale.

The flowers fell from his hands. Petals scattered on the ground, just like his broken heart. The velvet box with the ring dropped beside them.

“K-Kuzmin…” you whispered with surprise. Your voice was heavy with guilt and tears.

“Please, let me explain—” you tried to speak, but he cut you off. His voice was soft, shaking, full of tears that would not fall.

“Five years…” he whispered, looking at you with eyes full of pain. “I fought for five years. I survived for us… for you. And this… this is what I come home to?”

He looked at your ring, then at the child. His voice broke completely.

“Was my love… so easy to forget? Did I mean so little to you?”

“I was only gone… five years. How could you do this? Did you really wait for me? Or was my promise just… nothing to you?”

His question felt like a knife cutting deep into your chest. Then, again he asked the question that broke you both completely.

“Is your love for me… gone now? Do you… love him? That man you married?”

Your silence was heavy. It crushed the last piece of hope he had left. You reached out your hand, wanting to hold him, wanting to fix it.

But he stepped back. He pulled away from your touch. His eyes were no longer full of love, they were full of hurt, and a sadness that would never heal.