Gennady had always lived under the shadow of his parents’ expectations. At 17, he was diagnosed with a mysterious illness, and his life was dominated by endless doctor visits and treatments. His wealthy parents, Alexander and Anna Nikolaevna, spared no expense to find a cure, but Gennady’s condition remained uncertain. Despite their immense wealth, there was no solution, and he continued to struggle.

THE LIFE-CHANGING DECISION

As Gennady’s condition worsened, his mother, Anna Nikolaevna, was increasingly overprotective, constantly making decisions for him. But Gennady found solace in Lena, a simple, kind-hearted girl he met during university. They became close friends, and their relationship grew stronger over time. Despite the doubts from his parents, Gennady and Lena decided to marry.

Gennady’s parents weren’t thrilled. Anna Nikolaevna, especially, had serious reservations. “Gena, are you sure about this?” she asked, her voice laced with concern. “She’s after your money, isn’t she?”

Gennady sighed deeply, trying to remain calm. “Mom, I understand your concerns, but they’re unfounded. Arguing about this won’t help. I know what I’m doing.”

Anna Nikolaevna wasn’t convinced. “You’re a catch, Gena. Any woman would want to be with you. Don’t you see what’s at stake?”

Gennady closed his eyes, trying to block out the exhaustion from the constant tension. “Mom, what’s more important to you? Our status, or my happiness?”

Anna Nikolaevna looked helplessly at her husband, Alexander. “Sasha, why are you silent?”

Alexander, putting down his newspaper, smirked slightly. “Anya, you know the way it is with you. You always make decisions on your own, and when something goes wrong, you turn to me. Let Gena make his own choices. I think Lena is a good girl.”

Anna Nikolaevna scowled. “A good girl? In our time, no one survives without money!”

Alexander raised an eyebrow. “You weren’t always wealthy either, have you forgotten?”

Anna Nikolaevna clearly lost her composure. “Sasha, you’re irresponsible! Our son is about to ruin his life!”

“Calm down,” Alexander said, his voice surprisingly calm. “Gena’s treatment will continue. And maybe Lena will have a positive influence. What’s the problem?”

Anna Nikolaevna left the room in a huff, and Gennady turned to his father. “Thanks, Dad.”

“How are you feeling?” Alexander asked, his concern evident.

“I’m fine, don’t worry,” Gennady replied.

THE MYSTERIOUS ILLNESS

When Gennady turned 17, his health took a strange turn. No doctor could pinpoint a diagnosis. The treatments helped only partially. One well-known professor once said, “It seems as if your son has lost the ability to fight off illnesses. If this had happened a hundred years ago, I would have called it a curse. But now, there’s nothing we can do but watch.”

Alexander knew money couldn’t solve everything, but he spent vast sums on treatments at the best clinics. But one day, Gennady asked for a break. “Please, let me rest. I’ve forgotten what it feels like to be at home, to sleep in my own bed.”

Unexpectedly, his mother, who had insisted on every possible treatment method until then, agreed. “Sasha, maybe it’s time to let Gena rest? Let’s follow the doctors’ advice.”

Alexander waved his hand dismissively. He would have argued if he had seen any improvement, but there was none. Still, at home, Gennady started feeling better: his appetite returned, and he even gained a little weight.

From then on, Gennady went to the clinic twice a year for check-ups, returning home with new instructions from the doctors.

THE WEDDING AND THE GIFT

Gennady and Lena’s friendship turned into love, and after several years, Lena confessed her feelings. Gennady, feeling a new sense of strength, agreed to marry her. The wedding turned out to be much grander than he expected. His mother planned the celebration, and it seemed as if the entire town had been invited. Throughout the night, Lena kept a smile on her face, though the atmosphere was tense.

The relationship between Lena’s mother, Galina Ivanovna, and Anna Nikolaevna started off rocky. Anna Nikolaevna felt Lena’s family lacked status and wealth and saw Galina as someone who should be grateful for such a match. Galina, however, preferred to keep her distance from Gennady’s parents.

The climax of the evening came with the gift presentation. When Galina Ivanovna announced that the young couple was being given a small house inherited from her grandfather, Anna Nikolaevna couldn’t help but react. “How can you present that dilapidated shack on the edge of nowhere as a valuable gift?” she exclaimed.

Gennady looked at his mother reproachfully. “Mom, enough.”

“What’s ‘enough,’ Gena? Nothing can be fixed now!” Anna Nikolaevna snapped.

After Galina Ivanovna left, Anna immediately turned to her husband. “Did you see her? She does nothing herself, yet she acts as if she were a queen!”

A few days after the wedding, Gennady announced to his parents, “Lena and I have decided to move into the house that Galina Ivanovna gave us.”

Anna Nikolaevna was furious. “Are you out of your mind? It’s all her influence! She wants to hide you in the middle of nowhere so you’ll deteriorate faster, and she can take the inheritance!”

Alexander frowned. “Anya, what are you talking about? Have you completely lost it?”

Anna exploded. “I’m speaking sensibly! He needs constant medical supervision, and he’s planning to go to the middle of nowhere! I won’t allow it!”

“We already have the tickets,” Gennady replied calmly.

Anna’s expression changed. “Fine, don’t come to me for help anymore. Let your new family take care of you.”

“Thanks, Dad,” Gennady said quietly.

Alexander, still concerned, added, “But why there? That place is a real dump.”

Gennady smiled. “Maybe you won’t believe it, but there are healing springs there. Lena and her mother are sure it will help me. I’m not sure myself, but why not try?”

“You’re such a skeptic,” Alexander said, chuckling. “Sometimes what can’t be explained turns out to be the most effective. I wish you the best of luck.”

THE TRANSFORMATION

When Gennady and Lena arrived at the house, he was surprised by how overgrown the yard was. “It’s all wildly overgrown here!” he exclaimed.

Lena smiled. “Of course, no one’s lived here for many years. But don’t worry, a little work, and it’ll be as good as new.”

They entered the house, and to Gennady’s surprise, it was cozy and clean. After the long journey, Gennady collapsed onto the sofa and fell asleep immediately.

Lena took care of the cleaning, and Gennady helped as much as he could. To his amazement, he began to feel better. His energy returned, and his appetite grew. “I can’t believe it,” he said one evening, “but everything went in!”

Lena grinned. “I told you, miracles happen in places like this.”

Gennady raised an eyebrow. “Why are you so sure?”

“When I was a child, I used to come here often and saw many strange and amazing things.”

“Of course,” Gennady said teasingly, “and all the local boys were after you, right?”

Lena laughed. “Stop it! By the way, tomorrow’s a surprise for you!”

Gennady tried to coax her into revealing the surprise, but Lena remained tight-lipped. They fell asleep that night full of hope for what the future would bring.

A FAMILY REUNION AND A SURPRISE

Months passed, and Anna Nikolaevna’s anxiety grew. “I don’t understand how you can be so indifferent! It’s been half a year since that girl took our son away, and you haven’t done anything!” she complained to her husband, Alexander.

“Anya,” Alexander replied, “What do you want me to do? He’s married and living his own life.”

Anna stamped her foot. “A month ago, he was supposed to be admitted to the hospital, but all he does is reassure me and hang up. How can he be alright without treatment?!”

Finally, Alexander suggested, “If you’re so worried, let’s visit them. Let’s see how they’re settling in.”

Anna agreed, and they set off for the village.

As they arrived at the house, Anna gasped. “My God, what a wreck!”

Alexander laughed. “I like it. Fresh air, no trash... Oh, look, a hare!”

Anna couldn’t believe her eyes. “It’s like a nature reserve! I wouldn’t be surprised if bears roamed the streets here.”

As they approached the house, the door opened, and Gennady appeared on the porch, healthy and happy. Anna was stunned. “Gena, how you’ve grown!” she exclaimed.

Gennady hugged her tightly. “It’s all thanks to Lena. And the bees,” he added with a grin.

Lena joined them on the porch, and Anna thanked her for everything. “Thank you, dear. You did what even the best doctors couldn’t do.”

After catching up and settling in, Gennady took out a bottle of homemade mead. “Dad, here’s some mead. Real, homemade.”

Alexander laughed. “You’re acting like true hosts! You have everything right here!”

They all tasted the mead, except Lena. Anna noticed this and asked, “Still offended? You won’t even drink for our sake?”

Lena blushed. “I can’t.”

Anna turned to Gennady. “Is she sick?”

Gennady smiled. “We’re having a baby. So, Mom, get ready to be a grandmother!”

Tears filled Anna’s eyes as she hugged both Gennady and Lena. “A grandchild! I’m going to be a grandmother!”

She immediately began making plans. “I’m staying here for a couple of weeks. Let’s buy everything the baby will need. Sasha, haven’t you been promising me a new car? Well, it’s time to get it! And a big one, so I can bring everything the baby will need before he or she arrives.”

The laughter continued as Anna Nikolaevna took charge of everything. Lena hugged her. “I’ll listen to you. Gennady knows nothing about these things, and I’m a little scared.”

Anna embraced her warmly. “Don’t be afraid, I’m always here for you.”