“Alinochka, I need to open my heart to you… I feel that my end is near. You must know the truth, even if after this you hate me,” began the mother-in-law, squeezing Alina’s hand.
Alina froze. When had she become “Alinochka” to her? Usually, the mother-in-law called her “a viper,” “a witch,” or some other insulting name. And now suddenly—“Alinochka.” Apparently, it is true what they say, that a person changes before death and begins to realize their mistakes. That must have happened to Maria Viktorovna.
Alina worked as a nurse in the hospital where her former mother-in-law had been admitted with a heart attack. She could not assess the seriousness of the situation—not being a doctor—but whispers said the chances of recovery were slim. Alina never met her ex-husband there: either he did not visit his mother, or their paths simply did not cross. Besides, they had nothing to say to each other… He had once caused her such pain that she didn’t even want to see him.
It all began when it was time to give birth. Her husband was not happy about the upcoming fatherhood; he grumbled that they still weren’t on their feet financially, and now he alone would have to support the family. Alina promised to find a part-time job at home so as not to be a burden on him. But apparently, no one wanted the baby—even the mother-in-law shot sideways glances and said that Alina was rushing things.
When Alina was admitted to the hospital, the doctors decided to perform a cesarean section, although previously there had been no indications for it. She tried to call her mother-in-law, who was head of the maternity ward, hoping she would stand up for her. But Maria Viktorovna did not answer.
After the anesthesia, Alina was told that the girl had died in the womb. It was the worst news of her life. On that day, a part of her died too. She dreamed of following her baby, whom she wanted to name Katenka. Her relationship with her husband collapsed. He blamed her for not saving the child, and the mother-in-law poured oil on the fire. It all ended in divorce, and Alina was made to feel guilty.
And now Maria Viktorovna was lying in the hospital where Alina worked as a nurse, needing care. Her son was not there. Nor was his new wife. Apparently, the woman had become useless to her own family.
“Don’t talk nonsense! You will definitely get better!” Alina tried to comfort her, but she only waved her hand.
“Nothing will be good anymore… You understand that yourself… But you are a good woman. It’s a pity I didn’t see that at once and support my son when he decided to leave you. You should know, Alinochka, that the cesarean was done not without reason…” Alina’s heart clenched. She suspected something was wrong but hearing it aloud was unbearable. “And your child did not die. They swapped him with a stillborn… And your daughter, my granddaughter… your little one… was given up for adoption to a wealthy family.”
A ringing filled Alina’s ears so loudly she almost screamed. Her legs buckled, and she barely stayed standing. She looked at her mother-in-law and saw not a weak, sick woman, but a monster… a real monster who had taken away her happiness.
“Why?” Alina whispered, her voice dull as if from another world.
“Andrey didn’t want children. You knew that… He was just starting his career, showing great promise. Now he has achieved a lot, and a child would have interfered. He was afraid you would demand alimony if he decided to divorce… That you would bother his nerves, and he needed to focus on work. He convinced me to get rid of the child, give it away, and make you believe the baby died. You understand, I was ready to do anything for my son, as long as he became successful… But now, facing death, I understand what a burden I carry. Can you forgive me, Alinochka?”
“How could you…” Alina whispered, her voice trembling, her thoughts tangled like a ball of thread impossible to unravel. Tears ran down her cheeks, leaving wet traces. “Where? Where is my daughter?” she breathed out, each word seeming to cost incredible effort. The pain squeezed her throat, making it hard to breathe.
“In the nightstand… There’s a notebook… On the first page, an address…” the mother-in-law spoke with difficulty, her voice weak but bitter. “But nothing can be changed now. He… he is a very influential man. Powerful. He won’t give you your daughter…”
“We’ll see about that!” Alina ground through her teeth. Her hands trembled as she opened the nightstand and grabbed the notebook. Tearing out the page with the address, she almost ran out of the room without looking back.
“Alina, forgive me…” Maria Viktorovna’s hoarse voice reached her from behind.
“God will forgive…” Alina threw over her shoulder without turning.
She could no longer stay near this person. The one who had taken part of her soul, destroyed her life. In her head, only one thought pulsed—she must see her daughter. Five and a half years! She was already so big… Alive… Tears came again, but Alina wiped them and almost ran to the manager’s office. She said something about an urgent matter, not even remembering exactly how she explained her departure. The trip to the given address passed like a fog.
And now she stood at the gates of a huge mansion, realizing she could not just come in and take the child. Gradually, it dawned on her that for the girl herself, this would be a shock. She was already used to another life, another mother… But at least to see her… even just a glimpse…
A man met her on the porch. He was stately, good-looking, but in his eyes read a cold emptiness. From somewhere deep in the yard came the sound of a child’s laughter, and Alina’s heart clenched. It was tearing toward her daughter…
“Are you here to apply as a nanny?” the man asked, looking her over critically.
“A nanny?” Alina repeated, not taking her eyes off the yard, from which the child’s voice came.
“Isn’t that right?” He frowned slightly.
“Sergiy?” Alina asked quietly, and the man nodded. “I didn’t come as a nanny… I came for my daughter…” Sergiy suddenly paled. His face tensed, his jaw muscles moved. He looked at her as if wanting to crush, to destroy. But Alina did not retreat. “It’s a long story… Please listen…” she began to speak, tears running down her face but she didn’t stop. She told everything: how her husband, the closest person, convinced his mother to get rid of the child, how she was deceived and made to believe her daughter had died. “I didn’t know… I thought she was gone… I was so afraid… And now…”
“I won’t give you the daughter,” Sergiy abruptly interrupted her. “She is all I have. Katenka is my life.”
Katenka…
Alina sobbed even harder. That’s exactly what she wanted to name her daughter. Her legs gave way, but she held herself up. She didn’t know what to do next. Sergiy could have thrown her out, called security, the police… But he was silent, listening.
“Come inside,” he finally said. “I’ll give you tea and tell you my story…”
Alina nodded, though her heart was tearing toward where her daughter was. She wanted to see her, even just briefly.
Inside the house, sadness gripped her. She realized she would never be able to give her daughter such luxury. Her clothes, her life—it was all so far from this world. Could she make Katenka happy? Of course, she would give her all of herself, but would it be enough? From the corner of her eye, Alina noticed dollhouses, luxurious toys. Probably Katenka’s playroom.
In the kitchen, over tea, Sergiy began his story.
“My wife was infertile. We dreamed of a child, and suddenly the maternity hospital called. They said there was a girl whose mother had abandoned her. We didn’t hesitate. We immediately started the paperwork. Our home filled with happiness. We became parents. And when Katenka turned three, my wife died. A heart attack. It was… like thunder from a clear sky. I still can’t accept it, though two and a half years have passed. Katya constantly asks when mom will come back from heaven. It’s painful… She waits for her mother, but not you…”
Alina’s heart was breaking. She set down her cup and stood up. Through the frosted kitchen window, she saw a girl. It was her. Her daughter. Her copy. Alina barely restrained herself from rushing to her. But she couldn’t. She couldn’t shock the child. Katya loves her father.
“You said you needed a nanny,” Alina said firmly.
“A nanny, but not you…” Sergiy shook his head. “You won’t be able to control yourself. I can’t trust you. What if you decide to steal her?”
“Steal? No! I swear! No!” Alina almost shouted. “I came here to take her, but now I understand she has her own life. I don’t want to break her psyche, but I beg you… Let me be near her. Let me be her nanny!”
“I’ll give you an answer in two days,” Sergiy replied dryly.
Those two days were torture for Alina. She barely restrained herself from going to the police, from demanding her daughter back. But she understood: this was not the way. She had to be wiser. For Katenka’s sake.
Two days later Sergiy called. His voice was calm but slightly tense. He said he was ready to compromise, but only under certain conditions. Alina would have to sign a contract promising never to tell Katya that she was her mother. Also, she would have to undergo a psychological evaluation and take a DNA test. Only after that would Sergiy agree to hire her as a nanny. Alina agreed to everything without hesitation. Even without the tests, she knew Katya was her daughter. The girl was her exact copy. But Sergiy needed proof, formalities, to be sure he was not mistaken.
When the test results confirmed their relationship and the psychologist concluded that Alina could control her emotions, Sergiy handed her the contract. She didn’t even read it—just signed it without hesitation.
That same day, the man introduced Katya to her new nanny. That moment was the happiest in Alina’s life. At first, Sergiy allowed her to work two days on, two days off, but after a month insisted that she quit the hospital and move in with them.
“Katya likes you very much,” he said. “She is drawn to you. You will be with her constantly. It’s better for her.”
Alina even refused to take money for the job, but Sergiy insisted, citing the contract. She cleaned the house, cooked, did laundry, and spent almost all her time with Katya. Every time the girl smiled at her, Alina felt her heart tear with love. But she held back, not allowing herself too much. She couldn’t call her “my daughter,” couldn’t hug her as she wanted.
Eight months passed. Sergiy gradually began to thaw. He saw how Alina cared for Katya, how sincerely she loved her, and understood she would not take the child away from him. His heart began to warm toward this woman who had endured so much. He started talking with her more, inviting her for walks in the garden. They found common topics, shared thoughts. Unnoticed by himself, Sergiy began to have warm feelings for Alina. But he did not know how she would react to his confession.
Alina’s birthday came. All day Sergiy acted as if he knew nothing about the celebration. But in the evening, he and Katya arranged a surprise for her. They invited her for tea and cake, and the girl, shyly, handed Alina a small box with a bow.
“Daddy told me the truth,” Katya said quietly, lowering her eyes. “You are my mommy who came down to us from heaven.”
Alina froze. Her heart beat so fast she could barely breathe. Tears rolled down her cheeks. She looked at Sergiy, and he only smiled, slightly lifting the corners of his mouth.
“But mommy and daddy have to be married, right?” Katya continued, looking up at Alina with big eyes. “Daddy wants to marry you! Will you say yes, mommy?”
Alina couldn’t hold back her tears. She hugged her daughter, inhaling her child’s scent, kissing her hair, hugging her again and again. Katya seemed the most precious treasure in the world.
“I love you,” the girl whispered, smiling. “Thank you for coming down to us. But you haven’t answered yet… Will you marry daddy?”
“Katya,” Sergiy said lightly reproachful, “we rehearsed: ‘marry daddy,’ not ‘get married.’”
Alina laughed. Her laughter was caught by Sergiy and Katya. At that moment, she felt her heart overflow with happiness.
“I will,” she said, smiling through her tears. “Of course, I will.”
Sergiy joined their embrace, hugging both his little princess and the woman who had become not just a nanny, but part of their family. At that moment, Alina understood: her life had finally found meaning.
