Andriy paced the bright kitchen of their new Kyiv apartment like a trapped animal. His long shadow fractured across the walls Nastia had painted with such care just months before. Nastia sat at the wide table, watching in silence. She knew this mood.
Let him talk it out, or the anger would burn him from the inside. “No, you have to imagine the absurdity of it all. ” He spun to face her, eyes boiling with rage. “That hysterical woman has lost her mind.
First she floods my phone with messages — how dare I remarry, we have a shared child, how could I forget? Then she threatens I’ll never see Alisa again. And now she says: either I take the girl forever, or she writes a formal refusal and hands her to an orphanage. ”
Nastia flinched.
In six months of their seemingly perfect marriage, she’d grown used to the emotional storms of Andriy’s ex-wife. But this was a new low. “How can a mother use her own daughter as a tool for manipulation? ”
“Because she’s not right in the head.
” Andriy slammed his phone on the counter. “She was always difficult. After Alisa was born, something snapped. The doctors talked about postpartum depression, prescribed pills.
I endured five years. But when she started attacking me over nothing, throwing dishes, screaming if I was fifteen minutes late from work — I gave up. I filed for divorce. ”
He stared at his clenched hands.
“She calmed down for a while. Moved to her mother’s. I paid child support, visited regularly. But the moment she learned about our wedding, hell broke loose again.
And now this. ”
“Do you think she’d really give her daughter to an orphanage? ”
“That’s the thing — yes. When she’s in one of her rages, she’s capable of anything.
” He stood abruptly. “I have to go get Alisa. There’s no other choice. ”
“Of course.
” Nastia placed a hand on his shoulder. “We’ll manage. She’s your daughter. ”
He roughly shook her off.
“You don’t understand. I didn’t want this. We just started living for ourselves. Beautiful apartment, plans for a romantic trip to the Carpathians.
Now all of it is ruined. ” His voice turned hard. “And that’s not the worst part. Alisa is a copy of her insane mother.
Fiery red curls, stupid freckles, those green eyes that stare at me like I’m guilty of something. Every time I look at her, I see Liuda. I can’t stand it. ”
Nastia went cold.
She understood his pain, but how could a father let an innocent girl pay for her mother’s madness? That night, lying in darkness, she couldn’t sleep. Andriy had turned to the wall, radiating silent fury. She stared at the ceiling and thought about the girl — a quiet, frightened thing, like a frozen sparrow.
By morning, her decision was firm. The old car hummed along the broken road. Alisa sat in the back, pressed into the corner, clutching a worn plush rabbit. Nastia watched her through the rearview mirror.
Fiery hair fell over a pale, freckled face, and her eyes held pure animal fear. No one spoke. Andriy drove with a clenched jaw, barely looking at his daughter. He didn’t even greet his ex-wife when he took the girl — just grabbed two cheap plastic bags and shoved the child into the car.
From an open window, Liudmyla called out: “Now it’s your turn to suffer. Happy life. ”
The stuffed rabbit smelled of his mother’s perfume. For Alisa, it was the only way to hold onto safety.
“Are you hungry, sweetheart? ” Nastia turned, keeping her voice soft. “There’s a nice gas station cafe ahead. We could stop for a snack.
”
Alisa flinched, glanced at her father’s broad back, and shook her head. “We’ll eat at home,” Andriy snapped. “No need to waste money on roadside diners. ”
The girl’s lower lip trembled, but she made no sound.
Nastia quietly passed back a chocolate bar. Alisa took it like a wild bird and whispered, “Thank you. ”
When they crossed the threshold of the spacious apartment, Alisa froze, eyes wide. Nastia’s modern minimalist home suddenly seemed cold and sterile.
“Come see your new room. ” Nastia reached out her hand. Alisa hesitated, then placed her tiny palm in Nastia’s. Her fingers were ice-cold.
“Tomorrow we’ll go shopping and get everything you want. Curtains, a fluffy blanket, posters. What do you like? ”
“I love cats,” the girl whispered.
“And unicorns. ”
“Perfect. Tomorrow we hunt cats and unicorns. ” Nastia smiled, feeling her own tension ease.
They opened the bags of clothes. Nastia’s heart clenched at the shabby contents — faded shirts, stretched leggings, a dress with a torn button. Liudmyla had stopped caring for her daughter’s appearance a long time ago. “What’s this treasure?
” Nastia pulled out a worn notebook with flowers on the cover. “Those are my fairy tales. ” Alisa’s cheeks flushed. “Mama always said they were stupid.
”
“You write fairy tales yourself? That’s amazing. You’ll read them to me before bed. ”
For the first time that day, a shy smile crossed the girl’s face.
“What’s all this commotion? ” Andriy’s voice cut through the doorway, and the smile vanished. “Nastia, dinner won’t make itself. ” He turned his heavy gaze to his daughter.
“Go wash your hands. And no crying — I won’t stand for it. ”
Alisa bolted from the room. A crash echoed from the hallway — she’d knocked over a side table in her panic.
“Andriy, why are you so cruel? ” Nastia felt her own anger rise. “She’s terrified. ”
“Don’t tell me how to raise my daughter.
” He stepped closer. “If you want to play fairy godmother, fine. But I’ll discipline her my way. A child needs strictness, or you’ll have nothing but trouble in ten years.
”
Dinner was torture. Alisa stared at her plate — homemade cutlets with mashed potatoes — but only pushed them around with her fork. “Not to your taste? ” Andriy’s voice cracked like a whip.
“Maybe your mother fed you better? ”
The girl’s hands trembled. She couldn’t speak. “If it’s fine, then eat.
I don’t tolerate pickiness in my house. ”
Nastia couldn’t hold back. “That’s enough, Andriy. Give her time to settle in.
”
He shot her a poisonous look but said nothing, shoving his chair back. “May I go? ” Alisa whispered, eyes burning with unshed tears. She’d barely touched her food.
“Go,” her father said coldly. “But wash your dishes first. No mess. ”
Alisa grabbed the plate and scurried to the sink.
It slipped from her shaking hands and clattered against the basin. She froze, paralyzed with terror. “I’m sorry, I’ll clean it—”
“Go to your room, sweetheart. ” Nastia gently took the sponge.
“I’ll handle it. ”
When the girl disappeared, Nastia turned on her husband. “Why are you doing this? She’s just a child — abandoned by her mother, and now you’re pushing her toward a breakdown.
”
“I told you not to interfere in my parenting. This is my method. I need to make her into a person who can survive, not a crying mess. ”
Nastia laughed bitterly.
“You’re just dumping your hatred for Liudmyla onto her. That’s not discipline, Andriy. That’s cruelty. ”
Something in him snapped.
“What did you expect? ” he shouted. “That I’d be thrilled? Take her to parks, buy ice cream, play happy family?
That girl poisoned my life before she was even born. I married Liuda because of her condition. And now history repeats itself — a burden standing between me and a normal life. ”
Nastia recoiled.
“How dare you say that about your own daughter? ”
“I can and I will. I’m tired of your lectures. ” He grabbed his jacket and slammed out of the apartment.
Nastia stood in the silence. Soft sobs drifted from Alisa’s room. She knocked gently. “Can I come in?
”
Alisa sat on the bed, knees drawn up, the stuffed rabbit beside her. “Does Daddy hate me? ”
Nastia sat down and pulled the girl close. “No, sweetheart.
He’s just lost in himself. ”
“Do you want me to leave too? ”
“Never think that. I’m so glad you’re here.
Tomorrow we’ll have a real celebration, okay? ”
The girl nodded and, for the first time, leaned into Nastia with trust. At that moment, Nastia made a silent promise: she would protect Alisa, even if it meant standing between her and her own husband. Six months passed.
Andriy had become a knot of toxic irritation. They drove to his mother’s dacha in Malynivka — Nina Pavlivna had asked for help with the garden. “Why did we bring her? ” Andriy gritted his teeth, gripping the wheel.
“Where else would I leave her? ” Nastia answered calmly. “Let her breathe some fresh air. ”
In the back seat, Alisa shrank into herself, pretending to read.
Over these months she’d grown quieter, blooming only around Nastia. They drew together, read aloud, and started writing their own fairy tale about a red cat. But the moment Andriy appeared, she became a silent shadow. Nina Pavlivna greeted them with warmth for her son, but her face froze when Alisa stepped out of the car.
“Hello, Grandmother,” the girl whispered. “Hello. ” The older woman turned away. “Come on, there’s work to do.
”
All day, Nastia worked the garden while Alisa tried to help — weeding, carrying water. Every attempt met with cold, dismissive looks. “Watch out! ” Nina snapped when Alisa accidentally brushed a tomato bush.
“Get her out of here. She only causes damage. ”
As the sun set, Nastia swept dry leaves, dreaming of a hot shower. Then Alisa ran up to her, deathly pale, hands shaking.
“Mama, we have to leave. Right now. ”
Nastia’s heart stopped. *Mama.
The first time. *
“What happened, my love? ”
Alisa held out her old smartphone. Nastia pressed play.
Andriy and his mother sat on the veranda. The video had been filmed from around the corner. “Son, I can’t watch that girl ruin your life anymore,” Nina said, her voice dripping like a snake. “Six months and it’s only getting worse.
”
“I know. ” Andriy rubbed his face. “Nastia fusses over her like a treasure, but she disgusts me. I keep seeing Liuda’s face.
”
“Maybe there’s a way out? The one Liuda threatened you with. An orphanage. ”
Andriy laughed nervously.
“Nastia would kill me. ”
“What does Nastia have to do with it? She’s your child. You decide.
Look at you — you’ve lost weight, you’re wasting away. And the girl will be better off with qualified specialists. ”
Silence. Then Andriy, weighing each word: “You know, you’re right.
If her own mother doesn’t want her, then I certainly don’t. ” A pause. “That’s what those institutions are for. ”
The video cut off.
“Mama,” Alisa sobbed, clutching Nastia’s sleeve. “I don’t want to go to an orphanage, please. ”
Something inside Nastia broke forever. All illusions burned away, and something new, strong and unbreakable, was born.
“No one is taking you anywhere. Wait here. ”
She marched to the veranda. “You are disgusting!
”
Nina jumped. Andriy frowned. “What’s this tone? ”
“An orphanage?
Planning to get rid of your own blood? ” Nastia shook with fury. “How dare you even say such a thing. ”
“So you were eavesdropping,” Andriy spat.
“I’m filing for divorce. I’m taking Alisa with me, and I’ll legally adopt her. You’ll sign away your parental rights — that’s exactly what you want. ”
“Alisa, pack your things.
We’re leaving forever. ”
“Nastia, wait—” He reached for her wrist. “Don’t touch me. ” She pulled away with disgust.
Within minutes, they were walking down the dirt road toward the highway. A small hand gripped Nastia’s, trusting and warm. This time, Nastia knew with certainty: no one would ever hurt this child again. The taxi smelled of cheap vanilla air freshener, but to Nastia it was the scent of pure freedom.
Rain pounded the windows, washing away the filth of the evening. Alisa slept against her shoulder, clutching her worn rabbit. Nastia stared at the girl’s pale, exhausted face and felt something harden inside her — a steel core. She would never be the naive, agreeable woman who made excuses for cruelty.
Andriy had shattered her rose-colored glasses with his own hands. The next morning, Nastia packed his expensive clothes into black garbage bags. When the key clicked in the lock, she didn’t flinch. Andriy entered with a sheepish look, still trying to sound confident.
“Nastia, you overreacted yesterday. Mother was tired. I was emotional. Let’s forget these dramatic gestures and talk like adults.
”
“Your things are in the hallway. ” Her voice was ice. “Leave the keys on the table. If you don’t leave willingly, I’ll call the police and show them the video of you and your mother planning to abandon a child.
Then the same video will accidentally end up in your company’s group chat. Imagine how your colleagues will appreciate such a moral man. ”
Andriy’s face blotched red. “You’ll regret this—”
“Not as much as you will.
”
The door slammed behind him, cutting off the past forever. The next months were a legal marathon. The divorce went quickly. Terrified of public exposure, Andriy signed away his parental rights without protest.
But adoption was harder: dozens of offices, piles of documents, psychological evaluations, custody commissions. There were days when Nastia wanted to give up. Then she remembered Alisa’s green eyes full of tears on that cursed veranda, and she kept going. Almost a year later.
Golden autumn painted the trees outside their large, bright apartment. Nastia sat on the fluffy carpet in the living room while Alisa typed on a new tablet. The girl was unrecognizable. The animal fear was gone from her eyes.
Her shoulders were straight, her pale cheeks flushed with health. “Mama, listen to the ending we came up with! ” Alisa looked up, eyes dancing with happy light. They were finishing their fairy tale about the magical red cat.
“And so the great red cat finally understood that the most powerful magic in the world isn’t in a magic wand. It’s in the people who will never betray you. ”
“That’s perfect, my love. ” Nastia pulled her daughter close, breathing in the familiar scent of her hair.
Every night, tucking Alisa into bed and pulling up the blanket, Nastia watched the girl’s freckled face relax into sleep. She had once dreamed of an ordinary marriage and searched for security in a man who turned out to be weak and soulless. Instead, she had found something far more valuable: a small, red-haired child who called her “Mama” with complete trust.
And in this apartment, where fear and shouting no longer existed, they had finally found their peace.
