A Quiet Evening Interrupted
Antonina, a retired paramedic, relaxed in her familiar armchair, softly stroking her cat Vasily, who lay nestled in her lap as an old movie played.
The peace of the night was suddenly broken by urgent knocking—first at the window, then at the gate. Her dog Toshka barked harshly, then went quiet.
Braving the deep snow, Antonina rushed to the gate—and froze. A young woman stood there, shaking in the freezing night, barefoot and clad only in a flimsy nightgown and shawl. Heavily pregnant and visibly weak, she clung to the fence.
“Please don’t send me away,” the girl begged through trembling lips. “They want to steal my baby.”
Without hesitation, Antonina draped her old sheepskin coat around the girl and led her inside.
A Medic’s Touch
Years of training kicked in. Antonina heated water, gently cleaned the girl’s frozen feet, rubbed them with alcohol to boost blood flow, bundled her in blankets, and gave her hot tea with raspberry jam.
The girl whispered a faint “Thank you” before falling into deep sleep.
The Next Morning
As she flipped pancakes in the kitchen, Antonina eyed her guest with quiet resolve.
In a calm but firm tone, she said, “Alright, runaway. Wash up and eat. That little one inside you needs food. After breakfast, you’ll tell me everything.”
Fed and rested, the girl introduced herself as Nastya. She was an orphan—raised in state care after losing her grandmother at age five. After finishing school, she was given a small apartment and began studying at a teacher’s college.
At a student party, she met Sasha—a wealthy man a decade older, with a luxurious house nearby and a powerful father. Despite his many admirers, he chose Nastya, showering her with attention. She quickly fell for him and moved in.
From Romance to Abuse
But after she became pregnant, Sasha changed. He became cruel, often drunk, and increasingly violent. Two weeks ago, he brought another woman home and openly flaunted their affair. When Nastya tried to leave, he beat her and locked her in a room, threatening to take her baby once it was born.
“I wouldn’t see my son again,” she whispered tearfully. “He kept me like a prisoner. Last night, the maid took pity on me and left the door unlocked. That’s how I got away…”
Antonina wrapped her in a hug. “You’re not alone anymore,” she said gently. “My son Grigory is with the police. He’ll be home soon. Tell him everything.”
A Cynical Cop Returns
That evening, Grigory returned home, still bitter over his recent divorce. His ex-wife had left him for a wealthy man, tired of his long hours and modest pay. Now back in his childhood home, Grisha had little faith in love.
He called out to his mother and was met with the smell of breakfast—and the sight of a stranger. Recognizing Nastya from local alerts, he listened intently as she recounted her ordeal. Furious, he promised to protect her.
Justice for Nastya
Grisha soon uncovered that Sasha’s father, Alexander Malyavin, was a shady businessman under long-standing suspicion. Authorities had never been able to make charges stick.
Determined, Grisha spent the next month gathering evidence. Then, ignoring the protests of Malyavin’s assistant, he stormed into the office and laid everything out.
“If your son doesn’t stay away from Nastya,” he warned, “this evidence goes public. And trust me—you won’t want that.”
Then he rushed home with news.
“It’s over, Nastya,” he said with a smile. “You’re safe. Tomorrow, you can return to your apartment. It’s all handled.”
Nastya, overwhelmed, dropped the pie she was carrying and threw her arms around him, sobbing with relief.
A New Beginning
In time, life found its rhythm. Nastya gave birth to a healthy son, Syoma, and settled back into her apartment. A new chapter had begun—free, safe, and full of promise.
