Secrets and lies

I

,, Irina, honey, come in. '', said the elderly lady with a small smile on her face, moving away from the door and letting her in.

"Thank you," she answered, quickly hanging her coat on the hanger, before heading into the spacious living room, she knew too well.

She loved spending time here. It was peaceful and beautiful. Decorated in an old-fashioned style, but very elegant and decent.

That's why she looked through the entire room, looking at all the details, trying to remember them all, considering that she won't see them again.

,, It seems that it is quite cold outside. What can I serve you, dear? Would you like some tea, coffee...'' added the older lady, standing in the middle of the room.

That's when Irina glanced at her and realized the condition that she was in . She looked tired and weary. Her eyes were red and her undereyes were swollen, from crying, Irina assumed. Despite all this, the old woman still had a smile on her face and gave her a warm welcome.

,, No thanks. No need, I won't stay long anyway. I only came to say goodbye to you.''

The smile immediately disappeared and sadness covered her already old face. They sat in silence for a few moments, communicating with their eyes.

Until the lady got up and walked to the fireplace above which there were pictures of Irina and her late husband, looking at them for a few moments, in complete silence.

"I remember our first acquaintance and your arrival here...", she said, recalling that moment, while her eyes filled with tears.

,, Stephen was overjoyed to find a person like you. That night he told me that you are the one and that he wants a future with you. That you make him a better man and that he was ready to set the whole world on fire for you. He was ready for everything, just to have you..'', she sobbed as Irina wiped her tears in silence, her back turned. She did not dare to turn around and see all those wonderful moments recorded and immortalized in photographs.

"I didn't think this would be the last time you would come here and I would see you. '' , she admitted looking at her. After a few moments of silence, Irina answered:
"Me neither." But there's nothing keeping me here anymore, Mary. Everything in this city reminds me of him and that merciless event. I need a change. A new beginning. A new life. '' , she muttered in a whisper.

,, I understand. '', answered the older woman, not trying to hide the disappointment she felt.

"I want to thank you for everything you did for me, it meant a lot to me. I love and respect you very much, and that's why this won't be the last time we see each other . I want to keep in touch, you are a very important person in my life, almost the only one left. '', she couldn't hold back her tears anymore, she didn't have the strength.

She felt Mary sit down next to her, spreading her arms and immediately fell into her arms.
,, Oh dear, of course we will. You will forever remain my daughter -in-law, regardless of the circumstances. You are like the daughter I never had and I love you so much. '', she said now crying, caressing her hair.
She added:
,, maybe it's too early to say this, but I want you to know that you have my blessing to move on with your life. It's hard for both of us, but we have to move on with our lives. You are young and life is ahead of you. Despite all the plans you had with Stephen, you have to go ahead and fulfill them with someone else. You have to dear, for yourself and for him. He wouldn't want to see you like this. You are young, beautiful, intelligent and ambitious. Your life must not continue like this, do you understand me!?'', she raised her voice, holding the girls head in her hands, so that Irina was looking straight into her eyes, better understanding the seriousness of the situation. She nodded her head through her tears and answered:

"I know, but I don't think I will be able to... I can't imagine myself next to another man, Mary." I can't allow myself to even think about another man, it's like cheating on Stephen. I promise you one thing, which is currently my only goal in life. I will find the person responsible and take revenge on him. I'll kill him in cold blood, the same way Stephen was killed. I will inflict the same pain on him that was inflicted on us. They will pay us for all this, I swear to you..'', she shouted as tears wet her beautiful face, irritating the mascara that started to leave marks on her cheeks. Her body started shaking and she couldn't control herself.

"Irina, please..." Mary began, but the bull was interrupted by Irina's sudden standing up and hers left. She didn't want anyone to see her like that, especially not Mary, she had lost her son. She couldn't let something like this happen.

"It's time for me to go Mary, I apologize for this behavior. '', she said hurriedly putting on her coat.

,, May I know where you are going? How can I find you? '' , she grabbed her hand, preventing her from leaving.

"I will find you. Goodbye Mary, take care.,'' was the last thing she said before leaving the house. Soon from that city. From that country. From Mary's life. From her old life.