Before her death, her mother-in-law revealed a terrifying secret that completely upended Alinas life…
*”Alinochka, I must unburden my soul… I feel my time is near. You deserve the truth, even if it makes you hate me,”* the older woman began, clutching Alinas hand.
Alina froze. When had she ever been *”Alinochka”* to her? Usually, her mother-in-law called her *”a snake,” “a witch,”* or something worse. Yet now*”Alinochka.”* They say death changes people, making them see their mistakes. Maybe Maria Viktorovna had finally realized hers. Alina worked as a nurse in the hospital where her ex-mother-in-law had been admitted after a heart attack. She wasnt a doctor, but whispers suggested little hope for recovery. She hadnt seen her ex-husbandeither he hadnt visited, or their paths hadnt crossed. Not that they had anything to say. Hed hurt her so deeply she never wanted to see him again.
It had started when she was due to give birth. Hed grumbled about fatherhood, saying they werent stable yet and now hed have to support them alone. Alina promised to find work from home, but it seemed no one wanted the babyeven her mother-in-law had sneered that shed rushed into this.
When she went into labor, doctors insisted on a C-section despite no prior complications. Shed tried calling Maria Viktorovna, head of the maternity ward, for helpbut there was no answer. After anesthesia, she was told her daughter had died in the womb. The worst pain of her life. Shed dreamed of following her little girl, the one shed wanted to name *Katenka.* Her marriage crumbled; her husband blamed her for the loss, and his mother fueled the blame. The divorce left Alina holding all the guilt.
Now, Maria Viktorovna lay in the same hospital, aloneno son, no new wife. Unwanted.
*”Dont talk nonsense! Youll recover!”* Alina tried to reassure her, but the woman just waved her off.
*”Nothing will be alright… You know it. But youre a good woman. I regret not seeing it soonerregret supporting my son when he left you. Alinochka… That C-section wasnt random.”* Alinas heart clenched. Shed suspected somethingbut hearing it aloud was unbearable. *”Your baby didnt die. She was switched with a stillborn. Your daughter… my granddaughter… was given away for adoption.”*
A ringing filled Alinas ears. Her legs buckled; she barely stayed upright. The frail woman before her wasnt sickshe was a monster.
*”Why?”* she whispered, her voice hollow.
*”Andrei didnt want children. You knew that. He was building his career, afraid youd demand child support if he left. He needed focus. He convinced me to get rid of the baby, to make you believe shed died. I did it for himfor his success. But now… facing death… I carry this guilt. Can you forgive me?”*
*”How could you?!”* Alinas voice trembled. *”Where is she?”*
*”In the nightstand… a notebook… the address is inside.”*
Alina snatched the notebook and fled.
*”Alina, forgive me…”* Maria Viktorovna rasped behind her.
*”God may,”* she spat without looking back.
The address led to a mansion. A mantall, handsome, but coldmet her at the door.
*”Here to apply as a nanny?”* he asked.
*”Nanny?”* She barely heard him, distracted by childrens laughter in the yard.
*”Arent you?”*
*”Sergei?”* He nodded. *”Im here for my daughter.”*
His face paled, jaw tightening. He looked ready to crush herbut she didnt back down.
*”Listen to meplease.”* Tears streamed as she told him everything: how her husband had plotted with his mother, how shed believed her child dead.
*”I wont give her up,”* he cut in sharply. *”Shes my life. Katya is everything.”*
*Katya.*
Her chosen name. Alina sobbed harder.
Sergei sighed. *”Come inside. Ill tell you my side.”*
Over tea, he explained: his wife had been infertile; theyd adopted Katya, believing her mother had abandoned her. His wife died when Katya was three, leaving him heartbroken. *”She asks when her mother will return from heaven,”* he admitted, voice tight. *”She waits for hernot you.”*
Alinas heart shattered. Through the kitchen glass, she saw herher daughter. A mirror image.
*”You mentioned needing a nanny,”* she said firmly.
*”Not you,”* Sergei countered. *”You couldnt control yourself. What if you tried to take her?”*
*”I wont!”* she cried. *”I just want to be near her!”*
Two torturous days later, he agreedon conditions: shed never reveal she was Katyas mother, undergo psychological evaluation, and provide DNA proof. She signed without hesitation.
When the results confirmed the truth, Sergei introduced her as the new nanny. The happiest moment of Alinas life. Over months, she became indispensablecooking, cleaning, caring for Katya. Sergei watched her bond with the girl, his icy demeanor thawing.
Then, on Alinas birthday, Katya handed her a small box. *”Papa told me the truth,”* she whispered. *”Youre my real mama, sent from heaven.”*
Alina wept. Sergei smiled faintly.
*”But mama and papa should be married, right?”* Katya pressed. *”Papa wants to marry you! Will you say yes?”*
Laughing through tears, Alina hugged her tightly. *”Yes,”* she whispered. *”Of course.”*
As Sergei joined their embrace, Alina knewher life had finally found meaning.
