When the elderly woman’s consciousness returned, she found herself in an unfamiliar room resembling a hospital ward. A sharp pain throbbed at her temples, as if struck by something heavy. Her memory refused to reveal where she was or how she ended up there.
Squinting her eyes shut, she tried to piece together the chain of events that led her to this place…
Anna Semyonovna resided in a modest two-room apartment that had been inherited by her late husband from the company. After his passing, she continued to live there with her son, Igor. For a long time, their relationship was warm and mutually understanding. Everything changed after Igor’s marriage—his wife, Alina, moved in with them, and tension immediately arose between the daughter-in-law and the mother-in-law.
“How can one live under such conditions?” Alina fumed. “The entire décor is nothing but antique! A complete overhaul is needed.”
Anna Semyonovna could barely contain her irritation. To her, every item held memories of her beloved husband.
“This is my home, and I have every right to decide how to live. If something doesn’t suit you—consider the door wide open,” she snapped.
Alina took her mother-in-law’s words as an act of stubbornness and decided to retaliate in kind.
The very next day, the young woman demanded that the books be removed from the shelves: “There’s so much dust here! We’re expecting a baby; do you want him to breathe that?”
She had no idea how dear those books were to their owner.
“You can wipe off the dust, but I will never allow anything to be thrown away. If you want to change the interior—wait until I leave,” Anna Semyonovna firmly stated.
The incessant conflicts exhausted Igor, and he and his wife eventually moved into a rented place. However, the mother continued to visit. One day, after informing them that a child was on the way, he asked: “Mom, we really need your support. Please try to find some common ground with Alina.”
“But she’s always dissatisfied,” replied Anna Semyonovna. “It seems as if she enjoys provoking quarrels.”
“We’ll figure something out,” her son promised. But the conflicts did not abate.
While strolling in the park, Anna Semyonovna met Vladimir—a lonely widower with no children. Their conversation turned out to be exceptionally warm and trusting. Vladimir, who had longed for close relationships, developed a deep fondness for the new acquaintance. Anna Semyonovna seemed to have rejuvenated.
Inviting her son and daughter-in-law to dinner, she introduced them to her friend: “This is my son and daughter-in-law. And this is Vladimir Ivanovich. Soon, he will be living with me.”
Vladimir added with a smile: “You could move into my one-room apartment. It’s a bit cramped, but it’s free.”
Alina exploded: “Are you seriously suggesting that we cram into that hovel while you enjoy spacious living for yourself?! Not a chance!”
With a loud clatter, she pushed her chair aside and stormed out of the room. A flushed Igor mumbled, “Sorry, it must be the hormones…” and hurried after his wife.
Anna Semyonovna was left frozen in shock and despair…
Her reflections on that evening were abruptly interrupted by another onset of headache. Where was she? How had she ended up here?
A nurse named Irina entered the ward. Without a word, she checked the patient’s temperature and pulse. “Miss, would you be so kind as to explain how I ended up here?” asked Anna Semyonovna.
The nurse’s response came in an icy tone: “Don’t you remember how you attacked an elderly woman? Such cruelty… it could have ended in tragedy.”
Anna Semyonovna was stunned. “Me? But I haven’t harmed anyone! I am of sound mind!” she exclaimed.
Silently, the nurse administered an injection and left. After a while, another resident—Elena—appeared. “Hello. Are you Anna? I’m Elena. I’ll help sort things out. This isn’t a hospital. It’s a facility for the elderly. They place those here who have become inconvenient for their relatives.”
“But I have funds, property…” Anna Semyonovna stammered. “Igor would never do something like that…”
“Everyone here is ‘ill’: dementia, mental disorders… Although most of them are completely healthy. It’s just that it suits someone’s interests.”
“But I’m healthy! I’m perfectly fine!” she cried, bursting into tears.
“Have you not noticed any strange signs? Don’t you remember what happened before you ended up here?”
Anna Semyonovna pondered. Lately, her appetite had increased—but only in Alina’s presence.
“It’s her doing. She hated me… But Igor and Vladimir will find me,” she said hopefully.
“It’s no use harboring illusions,” sighed Elena.
“I can’t stay here! I must escape!”
“Not yet. Have you seen Nurse Irina? She’s dangerous. I tried to escape once—she injected me with something, and I was paralyzed for several days…”
Anna was frightened, but she resolutely grabbed her friend’s hand: “We must get out.”
“I had a plan,” Elena whispered. “There’s a good nurse, Dasha. She wants to help, but there’s no one to call…”
“I know someone! Vladimir is a retired military man. He will help!” Anna rejoiced.
The next evening, when Darya entered the ward, the women turned to her. After ensuring their safety, Dasha handed over a phone: “You have three minutes.”
With trembling hands, Anna dialed the number. After several rings, Vladimir answered: “It’s me, Anna. I’ll explain later, but right now, help is needed. Please, trust me!”
Half an hour later, the sound of police sirens was heard. Anna rushed to the window: “They’re here! We’re saved!”
Law enforcement officers stormed the building, heading toward the head nurse. Vladimir quickly found Anna and Elena. He embraced Anna tightly: “Alina deceived me. She claimed that you were ill. Igor is away on a business trip and thinks you’re in the hospital. She insisted that you did not want any contact. How I missed you, Anna…”
Anna returned home with Vladimir and offered Elena a place to stay. When Igor learned of Alina’s actions, he was shocked.
The management and part of the staff of the institution were detained, and a criminal case was initiated. Alina was also arrested. While in detention, she gave birth to a son, whom Igor took with him. This brought immense joy to Vladimir and Anna.
Later, Igor divorced Alina through the court. Vladimir moved in with Anna, promising always to protect and love her.