Venedek held his sister’s hand with shaking hands as she was wheeled into the delivery room.
Leila, take a deep breath! It’s going to be okay! – he whispered, trying to hold back tears.
Her face was covered in sweat, and it contorted painfully as she looked up at him.
You’re the best brother Heaven could send me, Venedek…’ she breathed out before the door closed in front of her.
Venedek stood helplessly as he was rushed out of the room. The sister was only 36 weeks pregnant and the doctors had decided she needed a caesarean section. But as soon as the first baby was born, Leila’s condition deteriorated dramatically….
Leyla, stay with me! Look at me, can you hear me? – shouted Venedek, but the door closed in front of him.
Minutes seemed to pass at times before one of the doctors came out and looked at him.
‘Doctor… how is she? – Venedek asked, hopeful.
The doctor lowered his head sadly.
‘I’m sorry… we did everything we could, but we couldn’t stop the bleeding. The children are alive, they are in intensive care now.
Venedek collapsed to the floor at what he heard. His sister had waited so long to hold her children in her arms. How could this have happened?
As he tried to comprehend the tragedy, a familiar, hateful voice echoed down the corridor.
Where the hell is she? You thought she was going to have children, didn’t you tell me that!
Venedek raised his head sharply, anger overwhelming him.
Leila’s ex-boyfriend, Benze, stood before him, agitated and demanding.
Where is your sister? – he shouted.
Venedek grabbed him by the collar and squinted at the wall.
Now you’re wondering what’s wrong with her? Where were you when she ended up on the street because of you? Where were you when she was fighting for her life hours ago? – he hissed. – She’s dead, Benze! She died and you weren’t even there for her!
Benze stared at him stunned, then shook his head.
Where are my children? I want to see them!
Venedek clenched his teeth and shouted at him.
Don’t you dare call them that! Get out of here! You won’t see them!
I’m leaving… but I’ll be back! You can’t keep my children away! – shouted Benze, before disappearing down the hospital corridor.
Venedek knew he couldn’t let a man like Benze raise his sister’s children. So he fought for custody in court.
At the hearing, Benze was asked to feign tears.
These are my children! How can I live without them? – he sobbed in front of the judge.
However, the judge asked him tough questions.
Did you support Leila financially during her pregnancy? Did you marry her?
Benze lowered his eyes.
No… I couldn’t afford it….
However, Venedek’s lawyer pulled out his trump card: the text messages and voice mails proved that Benze was an alcoholic and Leila was only going to marry him if he went to rehab.
The court eventually ruled in Venedek’s favour.
He was able to adopt the triplets.
Five years went by.
One day Venedek, while removing the children from kindergarten, saw a familiar figure in front of his house.
It was Benze.
Guys, come on in the house! I’ll be right there. – Venedek grinned, then assumed a fighting pose.
You again?! What are you doing here? – he shouted.
Benze looked at him confidently.
I came to pick up my children. I have a stable job, I’m ready for fatherhood!
Venedek laughed bitterly.
Really? Is that luxury car still standing in front of your house that you just bought? You think a judge would consider that responsible parenthood!
But Bente didn’t give up.
A few months later, Venedeck received a court summons.
At the court hearing, Bente’s lawyer pulled out some surprising information.
Dr Venedek… is it true that you have been diagnosed with a brain tumour? – he suddenly asked.
There was silence in the courtroom.
Venedek lowered his head.
‘Yes… it is true.
The judge sighed.
‘I’m very sorry, Dr Venedek. The court believes that the children’s best interest is to be with their biological father. You have two weeks to prepare them for transfer.
Venedek felt his heart stop beating.
As he packed the children’s things, the boys tearfully hugged him tightly.
Please don’t leave us, uncle! – they cried.
With tears in his eyes, Venedek hugged them.
Boys… if you love me, you know that I would never want to hurt you. I want you to be happy, and now your father will take care of you.
The boys bid him a heart wrenching goodbye.
But Ben
I was wrong, Venedek. I shouldn’t have fought, I should have acted.
And at that point, there was an unexpected twist:
Benze helped return the children’s belongings to the house….
And yes, the endless war ended with a new beginning for everyone.
