Before her death, the mother-in-law revealed a horrifying secret to her daughter-in-law, completely turning her life upside down…
“Alyonochka, I must confess to you… I feel my time is near. You deserve to know the truth, even if you hate me for it afterward,” the mother-in-law began, clutching Alinas hand.
Alina froze. Since when had she become “Alyonochka”? Usually, her mother-in-law called her a “viper,” a “witch,” or some other cruel name. Nowsuddenlysuch tenderness. Perhaps it was true that people changed before death, recognizing their mistakes. Maybe that was what happened to Maria Viktorovna. Alina worked as a nurse at the hospital where her former mother-in-law had been admitted after a heart attack. She couldnt assess the severityshe wasnt a doctorbut whispers suggested little hope for recovery. She never saw her ex-husbandwhether he didnt visit or their paths simply didnt cross, she didnt know. There was nothing left to say, anyway. He had hurt her so deeply she couldnt bear to see him.
It all started when she was due to give birth. Her husband had shown no joy at becoming a father, grumbling that they were barely getting by and now hed have to support the family alone. Alina promised to find part-time work, but clearly, the baby was unwantedeven her mother-in-law gave her scornful glances, saying shed rushed into motherhood.
At the hospital, doctors insisted on a C-section, though there had been no prior indication. Alina tried calling Maria Viktorovna, the head of the maternity ward, hoping for an advocate. No answer. After anesthesia, she was told her baby girl had died in the womb. It was the worst moment of her lifepart of her died that day. She longed to follow her baby, who shed wanted to name Katyusha.
Her marriage collapsed. Her husband blamed her for the loss, and her mother-in-law poured salt on the wound. The divorce left Alina the villain.
And now Maria Viktorovna lay in the same hospital where Alina worked, alone and needing careher son absent, his new wife nowhere to be seen.
“Dont talk nonsense! Youll recover!” Alina tried to reassure her, but the woman only waved her off.
“Nothing will be good again… You know it… But youre a good woman. A shame I didnt see it sooner, that I supported my son when he left you. Alyonochka… the C-section wasnt random…”
Alinas heart seized. Shed long suspected something was wrong, but hearing it aloud was unbearable.
“Your baby didnt die. She was switched with a stillborn. Your daughter… my granddaughter… was given up for adoption to a wealthy family.”
A ringing filled Alinas ears as her legs buckled. She stared at the woman, no longer seeing a frail patientbut a monster. A real monster whod stolen her happiness.
“Why?” she whispered, her voice hollow.
“Andrei didnt want children. He was starting his career, full of promise. A child wouldve ruined it. He feared youd demand alimony, disrupt his focus… He convinced me to get rid of the baby, to make you believe she died. I would’ve done anything for him… But now, facing death, I carry this guilt. Can you forgive me?”
“How could you…?” Alinas voice shook, tears streaming. “Where is she?”
“In the nightstand… A notebook. The address is on the first page… But nothing can change now. Hes powerful… He wont give her up.”
“Well see about that,” Alina hissed. Hands trembling, she snatched the notebook and fled.
“Alina, forgive me” the raspy voice trailed after her.
“God will.”
She couldnt stay near that womansomeone whod shattered her soul, ruined her life. One thought pulsed in her mind: find her daughter. Five and a half yearsshed be so big now. Alive.
Blurring through the hospital, she barely registered how she excused her abrupt departure. The journey to the address passed in a haze. Now she stood before a mansions gates, knowing she couldnt just walk in and reclaim her child. It hit herthis would shatter the little girls world. She had another mother, another life. But if Alina could just see her…
A man met her on the porchhandsome, cold-eyed. From the yard, a childs laughter twisted her heart.
“Here about the nanny position?” he asked.
“Nanny?” she echoed, gaze fixed beyond him.
Sergei frowned. “Youre not?”
“Youre Sergei?” she whispered. At his nod, she continued, “I didnt come to be a nanny… I came for my daughter.”
His face paled, jaw clenching as if he wanted to crush her. But she stood firm. “Its a long story… Please, listen.” Through tears, she told him everythinghow her husband had conspired with his mother to deceive her, make her believe their child was dead.
“I wont give her to you,” he cut in sharply. “Shes all I have. Katyusha is my life.”
Katyusha…
Alina sobbed harderthat was the name shed chosen.
“Come inside,” Sergei finally said. “Ill tell you my side.”
Over tea, she learned his wife had been infertile. A call from the hospital about an abandoned baby had felt like fate. They adopted Katyusha, and their home filled with joyuntil his wife died suddenly.
“My daughter still asks when Mommy is coming home from heaven. It hurts… She doesnt wait for you.”
Alinas heart shattered. Peering through frosted glass, she saw the girlher mirror image. The urge to rush to her was nearly unbearable.
“You mentioned needing a nanny,” she said firmly.
“Not you,” Sergei said. “You wouldnt control yourself. What if you tried to take her?”
“I swear I wouldnt! I just… want to be near her.”
After two torturous days, Sergei agreedunder strict conditions. Shed sign a contract never to reveal she was Katyas mother, submit to psychological evaluation, and provide DNA proof. Without hesitation, Alina complied.
When tests confirmed the truth and the psychologist deemed her stable, she became Katyas nanny. Days later, Sergei insisted she quit the hospital and move in.
Katyusha adored her. Alina cooked, cleaned, spent every moment with heralways holding back, never calling her “my girl,” never hugging too tightly.
Months passed. Sergei softened, drawn to Alinas genuine love for Katya. He began joining them, sharing walks, conversations. Unspoken warmth grew between them, but neither dared admit it.
Then, on Alinas birthday, Sergei and Katya surprised her with cake and a small ribboned box.
“Papa told me the truth,” Katya whispered. “Youre my mama, who came down from heaven.”
Tears streamed as Alina looked at Sergei, who smiled faintly.
“But mama and papa should be married, right?” Katya pressed. “Papa wants to marry you! Say yes, Mama!”
Laughing through tears, Alina hugged her tightly, inhaling her scent.
“I will,” she whispered. “Of course I will.”
As Sergei embraced them both, Alina knewher life had found its purpose at last.
