The husband took her to an abandoned cabin to die, but there she had an unexpected encounter

“Larisa, just a little more… Come on, dear, you can do it!”

He could barely move his legs. Each step cost him tremendous effort, as if he had weights strapped to his feet.

“I want to take a shower,” Larisa whispered, feeling her strength finally abandon her. Gleb, I can’t take it anymore! Really, I can’t!

Her husband looked at her with feigned concern, but there was a strange coldness in his eyes. How could he not have noticed that icy glow before?

“You can, darling, you’ll make it!” Look, that’s our goal: the little house!

Larisa followed his gaze. In front of them stood a building that looked like a cross between an old shed and a fairytale cabin on hen’s feet.

“Are you… Are you really sure that the healer lives here? His voice betrayed exhaustion and fear.

“Of course, my dear!” Come on, just a little more!

Larisa climbed onto the porch twisted almost mechanically, as if she were dreaming. Gleb laid her down on a wooden bench and suddenly smiled self-sufficiently. That smile pierced his heart.

“Now you can rest… for a long time.

He looked at the gloomy room: cobwebs, dust, humidity. She looked at her husband with fear.

“Gleb… no one lives here!

“That’s right!” he laughed. No one has lived here for about twenty years. And no one has come in a long time. If you’re lucky, you’ll die a natural death. If not—” he paused, “the wild animals will find you.”

“Gleb! What are you saying? Reacts!

He stood up, and the mask of loving husband disappeared forever.

“I asked you to register the business in my name!” But you were stubborn as a mule! he spat. Do you realize how hard it was for me to put up with you? Sleep with you? You disgust me!

“And don’t you hate my money?” Larisa whispered.

“That money is MINE!” he growled. It’s mine, I just need to finish the paperwork. Everyone knows how obsessed you are with that witchcraft nonsense. I tell everyone that you are crazy and that you went with some healer to the countryside. I tried to convince you, but—” theatrically raising her hands, “you’re stubborn! Do you like my plan? I don’t even need to buy a casket!

His laughter sounded like a dog’s bark. Larisa closed her eyes: this was a nightmare, just a nightmare…

But the slamming of the door was all too real.

He tried to get up—he had to run away, this must have been a joke!—but his body was unresponsive. Lately he was getting tired very quickly, as if someone was sucking his life.

“Now I know who…” flashed through his mind.

He had no strength left. Larisa gave up and fell into a restless sleep.

Five years ago they got married. Gleb appeared out of nowhere—penniless, but with a charm that made her lose her mind. Tired of loneliness and work, Larisa fell madly in love.

But he had been warned… Everyone said that he only wanted his money, that he spent his funds on other women. He knew the truth a year ago. After that, the health problems began—sometimes the heart, sometimes the stomach, sometimes all at once. Doctors attributed it to nervous breakdowns.

He tried not to worry. He really tried! But how can you not worry when you love someone who betrayed you?

And now she was a rich and successful woman, but so sick that she couldn’t get out of that ruin in the woods. His death would remain a secret.

Half asleep, Larisa heard a whisper. Someone was nearby. His heart stopped—were they wild animals?

“Don’t be afraid!”

He was startled.

“A girl!?” Where did you come from?

In front of her sat a girl of about seven or eight years old. The girl crouched down next to her.

“I was already here. When he brought you, I hid.

Larisa sat up.

“Are you alive?” How did you get here?

“I’m coming alone. When I argue with Dad, I hide here. Worry!

“Does it hurt you?”

“No!” It just makes me help him. But I don’t want to. Why do children have to work? If I don’t obey, he makes me wash the dishes. A mountain! The girl extended her arms.

Larisa smiled faintly.

“Maybe he’s just tired. He wants to give you tasks that you can do. I would do anything for my dad if he were alive.

“Did your dad die?”

—Yes, a long time ago.

“They’re all going to die,” said the girl with childlike philosophy.

“You say your dad will die too?” The girl perked up.

“People die when they get old. That’s life.

The girl thought.

“Mom was sick… He went with the angels. I cry a lot because I miss her. I’ll help Dad so he doesn’t die! He looked at Larisa. Were you also brought here to die?

“It seems so…

“Why not in a hospital?”

A tear rolled down Larisa’s cheek.

“He decided so… So that they would not cure me.

“You scoundrel! cried the girl indignantly. I’ll run with Dad! Do you know who it is? Heal everyone in the village! Except for Mom…” His voice trembled.

“How is that?”

The girl went to the door, then turned and whispered:

“My dad is a magician!”

Larisa smiled involuntarily.

“Honey, that doesn’t exist…

“Yes, it exists!” Your husband said you believe in that. Well, don’t be sad, I’ll be back soon!

“What’s your name?”

—¡Dasha!

“Dasha, aren’t you afraid to be here?” What if animals come?

“What animals?” The girl snorted. No one comes to this forest, only the hedgehogs!

And with those words he walked out the door as if he had wings on his shoulders.

“Trusting a girl… that’s crazy,” Larisa thought, closing her eyes. “He’ll run through the woods, meet a squirrel or that hedgehog—and forget about me…”

She was beginning to fall asleep when a whisper woke her up:

“Dad, is she dead?”

“No, honey. She’s just asleep.

Larisa opened her eyes suddenly.

—¡Dasha! ¡Has vuelto!

The hut was dimly lit and he couldn’t make out the man’s face.

“Hello. I’m sorry that things turned out like this…

“Okay. Can you stand up? Going outside?

“I… I’m not sure.

The man touched her forehead with the palm of his hand, and a warmth spread over her body like the spring sun after a long winter.

“You can. I promise.

And he really could! With his help, he stood up, took a few unsteady steps. Outside the cabin there was… a motorcycle with a sidecar? Her vision was blurred, her legs trembled, but strong hands held her and gently placed her in the sidecar.

Where they were going and how long it took — Larisa didn’t remember. He only came to his senses when he felt the bumps, saw stars above—and fell back into the darkness.

He didn’t care. What difference did it make where to die?

But then he felt hot. Comfort. And even… hunger!

He opened his eyes. High ceilings, walls of shiny logs—nothing to do with that ruin. On the wall… a television?

“Some kind of stranger beyond,” he thought.

“Wake up?” That’s great! Dinner is ready. Today is special,” Dasha offered to help for the first time! I don’t know what you told her, but I’m so grateful.

Larisa smiled. She would never tell what exactly had moved the girl. What a shame—a grown woman saying such things…

The man helped her to sit down, put pillows behind her. On the table—potatoes with sauce, fresh salad, milk… And bread. But what bread! Loaves like fluffy clouds, with big holes inside.

“Is this… bread?” Larisa was surprised.

“Eat!” the man laughed. “I bake it myself. I can’t eat store bread. Maybe someday you’ll try it.”

Larisa smiled sadly—that “someday” seemed so far away. But the potatoes were so good, it seemed like the best dinner of her life.

It didn’t end—sleep overcame her. Before going to sleep, she whispered:

“What’s your name?”

“Aleksei.

Day after day she got better. Her appetite, strength, and desire to live returned. Larisa was happy but didn’t understand anything: no medicines, no treatments, no serums…

Once, when Dasha came out to play, she asked directly:

“Are you the one who is healing me?”

Aleksei looked at her with clear blue eyes:

“Me?”

“Yes! I feel better. Much better! And I was supposed to die… Dasha said you’re a wizard.

He laughed—so sincerely that Larisa couldn’t help but laugh with him.

“Oh, Dasha the dreamer! Our grandmother knew about herbs. She taught me a little. But I’m as far from being a magician as China is on foot.

The days passed. And then—she went outside alone, without help.

—¡Larisa! Good!

Aleksei picked her up and spun her around. She clung to him and cried—of happiness, relief, and because she was alive…

Half a year later

Gleb paced back and forth in the office like a wounded beast:

“I need all the rights! Without me, the company can’t function!”

“The company runs like clockwork,” someone pointed cautiously. Larisa Sergeevna left everything in perfect order.

“Stop calling her ‘Larisa’! She’s gone! She went to the forest with some healers and they devoured her there! I’m the legitimate husband!”

“Gleb Sergeevich,” said one of those present softly but firmly, “the body has not been found. And his behavior… raises some doubts.

“What does it matter?!” He exploded. “I’m a man who lost his beloved wife!”

An older employee stood up:

“I will not work under your leadership.

“Who else?” Gleb looked around. “Everyone can go!”

But at that moment the door burst open.

“I wouldn’t rush to hire a new team.

Gleb slumped in his chair. Larisa stood before him—alive, radiant, her eyes shining. Beside him—a tall man, and behind them—policemen.

“You… how… were you supposed to…?”

“That he died?” She finished calmly. “Your plan failed again. As usual.

As Gleb was being taken away, screaming and cursing at the world, Larisa addressed the staff:

“Hello! I am back. I have a lot of ideas. Let me introduce you to my husband—Aleksei. And I’m inviting you all to a barbecue this weekend—to get to know nature and the new family.

Everyone smiled. Everyone was happy.

“And a heads up: I have a daughter now.” Dasha was with us, but Svetochka lured her in with her makeup case.

Everyone laughed heartily—Larisa’s secretary always carried a suitcase full of jars and tubes.

“Semyon Arkadyevich,” he addressed the lawyer, “please take care of the divorce and adoption.

“Of course, Larisa Sergeevna. Welcome back!”

“Thank you,” he replied, squeezing Aleksei’s hand tightly.

Sometimes, to find true happiness, you have to lose everything. And to meet a girl in the woods who believes in miracles…