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

—Larisa, just a little more… Come on, darling, you can do it!

He could barely move his legs. Each step was a tremendous effort, as if he had weights tied to his feet.

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

Her husband looked at her with feigned concern, but there was a strange coldness in his eyes. How had she not noticed that icy gleam before?

—You can do it, darling, you’ll make it! Look, there’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 cottage on chicken legs.

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

—Of course, dear! Come on, just a little longer!

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

—Now you can rest… for a long time.

She looked around the gloomy room: cobwebs, dust, damp. She looked at her husband in fear.

—Gleb… nobody lives here!

“That’s right!” he laughed. “No one has lived here for about twenty years. And no one has come here for 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? Come to your senses!

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

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

“And my money doesn’t disgust you?” Larisa whispered.

“That’s MINE money!” he snarled. “It’s mine, I just need to finish the paperwork. Everyone knows how obsessed you are with that witchcraft nonsense. I tell everyone you’re crazy and that you ran off with some witch doctor in the countryside. I tried to convince you, but…”—theatertically throwing up his hands—“you’re stubborn! You like my plan? I don’t even need to buy a coffin!”

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

But the slam of the door was all too real.

He tried to get up—he had to get away, this had to be a joke!—but his body wouldn’t respond. Lately, he’d been tiring very quickly, as if someone were sucking the life out of him.

“Now I know who…” crossed his mind.

She had no more 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 swept her off her feet. Tired of loneliness and work, Larisa fell madly in love.

But they’d warned him… Everyone said he only wanted his money, that he spent his funds on other women. He learned the truth a year ago. After that, the health problems began—sometimes his heart, sometimes his stomach, sometimes both at once. The 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 wealthy and successful woman, but so sick that she couldn’t leave that ruin in the forest. Her death would remain a secret.

Half asleep, Larisa heard a whisper. Someone was nearby. Her heart stopped—could it be 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 beside her.

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

Larisa sat up.

—Are you alive? How did you get here?

—I come alone. When I argue with Dad, I hide here. Let him worry!

—Does it hurt you?

“No! He 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 spread her arms.

Larisa smiled weakly.

—Maybe he’s just tired. He wants to give you chores you can do. I’d do anything for my dad if he were alive.

—Did your dad die?

—Yes, a long time ago.

“Everyone is going to die,” the girl stated with childlike philosophy.

“Are you saying your dad will die too?” the girl cheered up.

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

The girl thought.

“Mom was sick… She 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 brought here to die too?”

—It seems so…

—Why not in a hospital?

A tear rolled down Larisa’s cheek.

—He decided it that way… So that I wouldn’t be cured.

“You scoundrel!” the girl exclaimed indignantly. “I’ll run to Dad! Do you know who he is? He cures everyone in the village! Except Mom…” Her 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 does! Your husband said you believe in it. Well, don’t be sad, I’ll be back soon!

-What is your name?

—¡Dasha!

—Dasha, aren’t you afraid of being here? What if animals come?

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

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

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

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

—Dad, is she dead?

—No, honey. She’s just asleep.

Larisa’s eyes shot open.

—Dasha! You’re back!

The cabin was dimly lit and I couldn’t make out the man’s face.

—Hi. I’m sorry things turned out this way…

—Okay. Can you stand up? Come outside?

—I… I’m not sure.

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

—You can. I promise.

And she really could! With his help, she stood up, taking a few unsteady steps. Outside the cabin was… a motorcycle with a sidecar? Her vision 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. She only came to when she felt the bumps, saw stars above—and fell back into darkness.

He didn’t care. What difference did it make where he died?

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

He opened his eyes. High ceilings, shiny log walls—nothing like that ruin. On the wall… a television?

“Some kind of stranger beyond,” he thought.

—Awake? Great! Dinner’s 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’d never tell what exactly had moved the little girl. How embarrassing—a grown woman saying such things…

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

“Is this… bread?” Larisa was surprised.

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

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

It wasn’t over yet—sleep overcame her. Before she fell asleep, she whispered:

-What is your name?

—Alexei.

Day after day, she improved. Her appetite, strength, and will to live returned. Larisa was happy but didn’t understand anything: no medicine, no treatment, no IVs…

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

—Are you the one who’s healing me?

Aleksei looked at her with clear blue eyes:

—They?

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

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

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

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

—Larisa! Bravo!

Aleksei picked her up and spun her around. She clung to him and cried—with 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 operate!

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

—Stop calling her “Larisa”! She’s gone! She went into the forest with some healers and was devoured there! I am her legitimate husband!

“Gleb Sergeevich,” one of those present said softly but firmly, “the body hasn’t been found. And your behavior… raises some questions.”

“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 swung open.

—I wouldn’t rush into hiring a new team.

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

—You… how… were you supposed to…?

“That he died?” she finished calmly. “Your plan failed again. As always.”

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

—Hi! I’m back. I have lots 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 our new family.

Everyone smiled. Everyone was happy.

—And a warning: I now have a daughter. Dasha was with us, but Svetochka lured her away with her makeup bag.

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 meet a girl in the woods who believes in miracles…