Lena was always the quiet, responsible girl. Her teachers admired her, her parents proudly showed off her grades, and she dreamed of becoming an architect. She would spend hours sketching imaginary buildings, designing streets, and envisioning whole cities. She had a plan for her life — precise, ambitious, hopeful.

Then she met Dima.

He was from a neighboring class — tall, confident, with a calm smile and intense eyes. They spent hours walking through parks, talking about the future: university, travel, a cozy shared apartment. Lena believed in their love. She believed it would last forever.

But everything fell apart after graduation night.

Two Lines That Changed Everything
It was early July. Lena had been feeling tired, dizzy, and off for days. A pregnancy test confirmed the impossible: two lines. She was seventeen, scared, and completely unprepared.

When she told Dima, he went silent. Then he said they’d “figure something out.” Two days later, he vanished. He stopped answering calls. She found out later he’d left the country with his family and enrolled in a university in another city. He disappeared from her life — just like that.

Rejection at Home
Telling her parents was worse than she imagined. Her father exploded in rage, calling her a disgrace. Her mother cried silently, refusing to look her in the eye. After a few cold, unbearable days, they gave her a choice:

— Abort the child. Or leave this house.

Lena chose her child.

So, on a rainy morning, with a small suitcase in hand, she stepped out into the unknown.

Starting From Nothing
At first, a kind elderly neighbor offered her a couch. Later, she found shelter through a support center for young mothers. It was there she gave birth to her son — a fragile, tiny boy she named Artyom. He became her world, her reason to keep going.

She worked as a cleaner in a daycare. Took night courses. Slept very little. But she never complained. She fought — for her child, for her dignity, for her future. She enrolled in an architecture college, and after years of juggling work, motherhood, and studies, she graduated top of her class.

A Place to Call Home
By the age of 25, Lena managed to buy a small apartment with the help of a modest loan. She designed the interior herself — clean, minimalist, full of light and warmth. On one wall were her design sketches; on another, Artyom’s school diplomas. There were books, plants, a small desk by the window where her son did homework.

She was working as a freelance architect with several clients, respected for her creativity and professionalism.

Artyom, now a bright and well-mannered boy, excelled in school. He loved chess, math, and had dreams of becoming an engineer.

No one could guess how far Lena had come — or how alone her journey had been.

The Doorbell Rings
One crisp autumn evening, the doorbell rang.

On the video intercom, Lena saw two familiar faces — older now, more tired, worn by time. Her parents.

— Can we come in? — her mother asked, barely audible.

Lena hesitated. But Artyom, now a teenager, stepped beside her and said:

— Mom, are those grandma and grandpa?

She took a breath.
And opened the door.

The Moment That Changed Everything
They stepped into a warm, tidy home. The smell of fresh pastries lingered. A tea set was on the table. Artyom greeted them politely and offered them tea.

The walls were lined with signs of a full, rich life: architectural models, sketches, awards. Her mother’s eyes welled with tears. Her father stood frozen, overwhelmed by silence.

— We didn’t know how to come back, — her mother whispered. — We’re sorry.

Lena didn’t speak. She didn’t need to. Her life, her son, her peace — it all spoke for itself.

A Second Chance
From that day on, her parents started visiting more often. At first awkwardly. Then with ease. Her father took Artyom for walks. Her mother brought homemade food. Slowly, they rebuilt what they had destroyed.

Lena didn’t forget. But she forgave. Not for them — for herself. Because forgiveness doesn’t erase the past, but it releases its hold.