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<\/figure>\n\n\n\n\u201cLet me introduce you. This is Lena. My wife.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For several seconds the entire street fell silent. Even the chickens stopped clucking. Then the whispers began.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some people laughed, others shook their heads, and a few openly said that the old man must have lost his senses after his wife died.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cShe\u2019s forty years younger than him!\u201d
\u201cShe must be after his money.\u201d
\u201cLet\u2019s see how long she stays.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lena heard every word. Yet she simply smiled politely and greeted everyone as if nothing unusual was happening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She walked into the yard as though she had lived there for years. The old creaking gate closed behind them, and the villagers remained by the fences for a long time, talking and speculating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But the days passed, and Lena didn\u2019t leave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The very next morning the village woke up to an unfamiliar sound. From Stepan\u2019s yard came the sharp rhythm of a hammer. Once again neighbors began peeking through their windows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stepan and Lena were repairing the roof.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The old man handed up wooden boards while Lena confidently hammered in the nails.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cJust look at that,\u201d said neighbor Maria in amazement. \u201cShe works harder than most men!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A few days later another surprising change appeared. The garden that had been abandoned for years suddenly came back to life. Lena worked from morning until evening, turning the soil, planting vegetables, and watering young seedlings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the evenings she would sit beside Stepan on the porch, quietly talking with him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And for the first time in many years, people saw the old man laughing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Still, the gossip in the village did not stop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere must be something behind this\u2026\u201d
\u201cShe\u2019s hiding something\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A week passed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then something happened that truly left everyone stunned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Early one morning a black car pulled up in front of Stepan\u2019s house. Cars like that rarely appeared in the village. Two well-dressed men stepped out and walked straight toward the gate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Neighbors immediately gathered along the road, pretending not to stare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell, now we\u2019ll learn the truth,\u201d Grandma Nina whispered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The men spoke with Stepan in the yard for a long time. Eventually one of them handed him several documents. The old man looked confused as he held the papers, while Lena stood beside him quietly holding his hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After a while, the car drove away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But the biggest surprise was still ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The next day construction workers arrived with equipment. They began replacing the roof, fixing the fence, and cleaning up the yard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The entire village was bewildered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhere did he get the money?\u201d
\u201cThis must be because of her\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A few days later, however, Stepan decided to tell everyone the truth himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One evening he walked up to the fence where several neighbors were standing. He was silent for a moment before speaking calmly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI know many of you think Lena came here for money.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
People exchanged uneasy glances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBut the truth is very different.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He looked at Lena, and there was such deep gratitude in his eyes that many suddenly lowered their gaze.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLena is a doctor. We met in the hospital last winter. I had a severe heart attack\u2026 and if she hadn\u2019t been there, I wouldn\u2019t be standing here today.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The street fell completely silent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAfter I left the hospital, she began visiting me. She brought medicine, helped around the house\u2026 And one day she told me that no person should have to spend the end of their life completely alone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lena stood quietly beside him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n