Arevik had barely walked away from the office when Anna, out of breath, rushed into Hayk's office. She paused for a moment, and noticing his smile, smiled as well.
"Judging by that smile, I assume we're preparing for a wedding," Anna said enthusiastically.
"That's a bit of a wrong assumption," Hayk replied with a slight smile. "We're not preparing for a wedding, but for welcoming a new employee."
"A new employee?" Anna asked in surprise.
"To be honest, I didn't even dare to hope for more," Hayk sighed. "Working here was the only chance to become part of her life again…" He paused, then added quietly, "And not only hers."
"I see, Hayk," Anna said with a faint smirk. "Your ideas are, as always, carefully thought out. All I can do is help you from the sidelines achieve what you want."
Hayk didn't respond. He simply looked at Anna with that rare expression of confidence and hope that spoke for itself.
Arevik was walking home with a light heart. She had gone to that meeting tense, almost combative—ready to fight for her child until the very end. But Hayk's approach had changed her state of mind, even though she tried her best not to show it.
Her inner tension had begun to fade even on the way to the office. While accompanying her, Anna had explained the circumstances surrounding Hayk's return from his business trip. Arevik understood it all, but too much time had passed. For her, the personal no longer mattered—everything that had happened belonged to the past.
A month later, Arevik sat at the reception of the institution, waiting for her access card. Within minutes, the usual bustle filled the lobby. She smiled unconsciously, remembering the day she had first seen Hayk.
Not long after, he appeared.
But unlike the first time, he didn't just walk past her. He came up to her.
And from that moment on, they began working together.
Hayk did everything he could to restrain himself, trying not to let his personal feelings interfere with their work. Arevik, in turn, focused entirely on her responsibilities, doing everything to perform them flawlessly.
But when it came to the child, Hayk couldn't hold back.
He never missed a single weekend, always making time to be with him. Over time, the child grew deeply attached to him… and Hayk, in return, grew attached to the child.
Half a year passed before Hayk began trying to get closer to Arevik again. He proposed to her several times—and each time, she refused.
For Arevik, everything remained calm and under control. But she didn't want to test Hayk's patience endlessly.
And one day, when he asked her again—she said yes.
She was no longer afraid. Not because everything had become safe — but because she had learned to choose.
Hayk's joy knew no bounds.
At Arevik's request, they didn't have a grand wedding. It was quiet, held among their closest people.
They simply became a family.
Hayk bought a house—exactly the kind Arevik liked.
One day, Arevik brought the child to the institution. He was playing in the garden with Uncle Grish. Soon, Hayk came as well and, without hesitation, sat down beside him, playing in the sandbox.
Arevik stood a little apart.
The sunlight hit her eyes. She raised her hand to shield them… and looked ahead.
Hayk and the child were playing in the garden.
Right in front of her.
"Yes… the garden is my reality," Arevik said softly.
And, smiling, she walked toward them.