For a long time, Hayk Shalunts couldn't find a way to delicately resolve the conflict with Arevik. Once again reaching a dead end, he left everything behind and went to the garden to clear his mind. Rolling up the sleeves of his shirt, he began working the soil.
"What are you doing here, sir?" Uncle Grish asked in surprise.
"My thoughts are tangled… I needed a distraction," Hayk replied calmly.
"A familiar feeling," Grish said with a smile and joined him.
After a short pause, he added:
"Arevik used to come here too, when she was having a hard time."
Hayk took a deep breath. The words stung, but he didn't want to miss the chance to learn more.
"Did she come often?" he asked carefully.
"After she was transferred to another department — yes," Grish said with a hint of sadness.
Then, raising his eyebrows slightly, he added with a smile:
"But her sadness would disappear quickly once she started talking about her work."
"She liked working… in statistics? In Meruzhan's department?"
"I think so," Grish replied, slightly puzzled by his reaction. "At least, her eyes would always light up when she talked about it."
Hayk suddenly froze — then came alive.
"Uncle Grish… that's it! That's the solution!" he exclaimed, hugging him tightly.
"What?" Grish asked, confused.
"I found a way," Hayk said quickly and headed for the exit.
"Where are you going? You're not finished!" Grish called after him.
But seeing his smile, he simply shook his head — with warmth.
Arevik tried to remain calm, but when Hayk began presenting his proposal, she reacted with a faint, almost imperceptible enthusiasm. He noticed it — and it only encouraged him to continue.
"As I mentioned, Meruzhan has been removed from his position," Hayk began carefully. "The department was left without a head…"
He paused — her reaction to that sentence was clearly negative.
"But," he quickly corrected himself, "the department has now been divided into several directions."
Seeing her calm slightly, he continued:
"Some responsibilities have already been redistributed, but the data analysis unit still has no one in charge."
Arevik looked at him tensely. She already understood where this was going.
At first, she had been ready to refuse immediately — the moment he mentioned Meruzhan and his position. But after his clarification, she eased a little. This wasn't about replacing him.
Still… the offer was obvious.
A smaller position.
But in her field.
"I already have a job," she said sharply.
"I know," Hayk replied calmly. "But I hope I can convince you to come back."
"I was fired. Branded, essentially," Arevik said with a faint smirk. "How does an institution take back someone dismissed for irresponsibility?"
"Everything has been clarified. It can be fixed," Hayk said firmly. "Try to understand… I truly value your knowledge and your approach to work. An institution like these needs someone like you."
"So, you're offering… a practical arrangement?" she asked bluntly.
The question caught him off guard.
He paused, gathering his thoughts.
"To be honest… I have my own intentions," he said at last. "What happened was terrible. I can't change it."
He took a deep breath.
"But now I want to regain your trust. And I'm ready to start from the beginning — as your employer. Because I truly value your work."
Arevik watched him closely. There was expectation in her gaze.
He had only said half.
Hayk understood that.
And her look made one thing clear: whatever he said next would matter.
"And when I regain your trust…" he continued more quietly, "I want to have a place in your life. And in the child's life."
A brief pause.
"I'm not going to let you go."
"You sound very certain, Mr. Shalunts," Arevik replied coldly.
His certainty didn't calm her.
It unsettled her.
"No… I'm not," Hayk said quickly.
He took a few steps toward her — and immediately stopped when she stepped back.
The coldness in her eyes turned into fear.
Hayk froze. Took a deep breath, ran a hand through his hair, and looked at her.
A moment ago, his gaze had been tense.
Now it held something else — desperation.
"I assure you, Arevik… I'm not certain," he said quietly. "I've never felt this powerless."
He gave a faint, bitter smile.
"Right now, neither my pride nor my arrogance stands between us. I'm just… waiting for your decision."
He paused, then added:
"Let me be honest. My future depends on you now. Whether I live… or merely exist."
"That's not fair," Arevik said, shaken. "You're putting pressure on me."
"I'm not trying to," he replied calmly. "This is just reality."
A brief silence.
"Since the moment I held the child… I haven't been able to find peace."
"You held Vahag?" Arevik asked, surprised.
"His name is Vahag?" Hayk smiled softly. "That's a beautiful name."
He looked at her for a moment, then continued:
"I saw him at the hospital. While you were in surgery… your mother had to step out. I held him until she came back."
He's very lively… I practically had to run down the hallway to calm him."
"And tell me about it…" Arevik said, her tone softening. "I can barely manage him myself. But the moment he looks at me with those eyes… I give in."
She spoke with warmth — without noticing how her guard had dropped.
Silence followed.
She felt it first.
Her composure had cracked.
Hayk, for a moment, allowed himself relief… then became serious again.
"Hayk…" she began.
"I understand," he interrupted gently. "I don't want to rush you. I won't pressure you. I'll wait."
A pause.
"But try to understand me too… I know everything now. And I know Vahag."
"I don't want to repeat my mistakes."
Something shifted in her.
His sincerity broke through the walls she had built.
"It's late… I should go," she said quietly.
"Stay a little longer," he asked. "Let's talk a bit more."
"The child has been without me for too long," she replied calmly.
"Can we meet again?" he asked carefully.
"I think… we'll be seeing each other often here. For work," she said with a slight smile.
"For work?.." Hayk looked at her. "Can I take that as an answer?"
"Yes," she nodded. "But I expect a good salary."
This wasn't agreement. It was a way to keep control.
Hayk couldn't hide his smile.
"Of course. Whatever you say."
He hesitated for a moment, overwhelmed.
"When can you start?"
"Not immediately," Arevik said. "I need a month to leave my current job."
"And…" she paused, "I need to find a nanny."
"Of course," Hayk said seriously. "That's important. Our child must be in safe hands."
Arevik smiled faintly.
His reaction was too sincere to ignore.
She glanced at her watch.
"Hayk… it's late. I should go."
She moved toward the door.
"Can I call you later?" he asked quietly.
Arevik stopped, turned, smiled…
and left without answering.