Lyuba woke up from the icy cold. Her old jacket, a rag long since lost its shape, could no longer keep her warm. Autumn was confidently taking hold: the nights were growing longer, the wind harsher, and even under the roof of the abandoned attic, it was unbearably cold. In winter, survival here would be impossibleโฆ but Lyuba had no other options. The shelter was closed to herโher criminal record forbade it. No one would hire her either; as soon as they found out she had ยซserved time,ยป their faces changed immediately, and the conversation ended. As if it were written on her forehead: ยซNot one of us.ยป
Right opposite the little window of her temporary refuge glowed a huge advertising billboard: bright images, intrusive banners, musical jinglesโall reminding her of another life, full of noise, light, and warmth. A life that seemed so close yet utterly unreachable. In the corner of the screen, the time was displayedโLyuba had chosen this attic precisely because of it. At least she could keep track of the hours. It was 8:20 now.
Rummaging in her pockets, she felt a few crumpled coins. It would probably be enough for a bun and kefirโsome kind of breakfast at least. Splashing some water from the bottle on her face, she quickly washed up. Her short hair stuck out in all directionsโshe tried to smooth it down. She always tried to keep herself tidy: washing her clothes whenever she got the chance, wiping her shoes with a rag or a stick. She wanted to keep at least the appearance of a normal life, human dignity.
Near the store by the garbage bins, homeless people were gathered. They rummaged through boxes, sorting through some things. Lyuba shudderedโwould she soon have to become one of them? Not yet. She was still fighting, looking for odd jobs. But who would hire an ex-convict, as they contemptuously called her? Only rare earnings kept her from poverty.
Having bought kefir and a bun, Lyuba sat on a bench and began to eat slowly. The warm bun felt almost like a holiday. And in her mind spun a thought: maybe today sheโd take a risk and go ask the janitor Kuzmich for help? So many leaves had blown down overnight, he surely couldnโt handle it alone. ยซIโll go ask. Maybe heโll help,ยป she decided and headed toward the pedestrian crossing.
But she hadnโt yet reached the ยซzebraยป crosswalk when her heart froze: a girl about ten years old on a scooter was rushing straight into the red light. From the opposite side, a truck was charging, honking wildly. The girl had headphones onโshe didnโt even hear.
ยซHey!ยป Lyuba shouted, but the girl didnโt react.
Without hesitation, Lyuba rushed forward, grabbed the child by the jacket, and pulled her back. The girl fell at her feet, and at that very moment, the scooter disappeared under the wheels. There was a screech, a crunch, plastic flying in all directions.
ยซWhere are you going? Didnโt you hear the horn?ยป Lyuba gasped, scolding her.
ยซNoโฆ I was listening to musicโฆยป the girl whispered, her eyes filling with tears.
ยซDonโt cry. Itโs understandable you got scared. Are you upset about the scooter?ยป
ยซUh-huhโฆ But my dad would buy me a hundred more like that. Itโs not about thatโฆยป
ยซLetโs get acquainted. Iโm Lyubov, and you?ยป
ยซNadyaโฆยป
ยซWell, Nadya, half the battle is doneโweโve met. Now let me take you home. We donโt want you running into traffic again.ยป
Nadya turned out to be localโjust three blocks away. They walked in silence; the girl was still shaken. They came to a large mansion with a tall fence and an intercom. A guard, a stern man in uniform, stood at the gate.
Nadya pressed the button, and the gate opened. She stepped inside, but the guard blocked Lyubaโs way.
ยซSheโs with me, Roman,ยป Nadya said firmly, and the guard reluctantly let her pass.
ยซIs dad home?ยป Nadya asked. Receiving an answer, she turned to Lyuba: ยซWait here, okay? Iโll be quick.ยป
Lyuba wanted to leave, but Nadyaโs gaze was so resolute she stayed. She stood by the fence, twisting her jacket sleeve, feeling like an outsider. The guard grumbled something disapprovingly about ยซragged ones,ยป eyeing her critically. His look was full of a mix of disgust and contempt. He was clearly trying to guess her ageโtwenty-five? Thirty? Years and hardships were deeply etched on her face.
Meanwhile, inside the house, Viktor Nikolaevichโa stately middle-aged man with an authoritative gazeโsat in his office, carefully reading documents. His brow was furrowed, his look focusedโclearly displeased with what he read. Nadya burst into the room.
ยซDad, you wonโt believe what happened!ยป she exclaimed.
She told him everything: about the scooter, the truck, and the woman who saved her.
Viktor paled. He hugged his daughter tightly.
ยซYou wonโt go anywhere without company anymore!ยป he declared firmly.
ยซDad, Iโm already eleven! Iโll be more careful, honestly!ยป
ยซNo, Nadya. The price of a mistake is too high. This decision is final.ยป
He called the guard:
ยซBring the woman who came with Nadya.ยป
A minute later, Lyuba entered the office. She stood modestly, uncertainly.
ยซI am very grateful,ยป said Viktor Nikolaevich warmly. ยซYou saved my daughter. This is not just a deedโitโs heroism. Iโm a businessman and always value help. Name the sum you want to receive.ยป
ยซOh noโฆ no needโฆ I just happened to be there at the right moment,ยป Lyuba blushed, lowering her eyes.
But the man did not back down. He began asking her name, where she worked, where she lived. After some hesitation, she briefly told her storyโabout the attic, the odd jobs, the hardships after release.
She was ashamed but did not hide anything.
ยซThere is a good saying: better to give a man a fishing rod than a fish. Soโ I just happened to have a maidโs position open. I offer it to you. Nothing complicatedโkeeping the house in order, cleanliness. A room on the first floor is provided for you, food at the ownerโs expense. And this is an advance.ยป He laid out bills neatly on the table. ยซFurther depends on your work. Whatโs your decision?ยป
Lyuba froze, seeing the neatly laid bills. The amount was enormous for herโespecially compared to the coins she lived on. She found no wordsโonly nodded, unable to look away from the money as if afraid it would disappear.
ยซAngela Petrovna!ยป the owner called. ยซShow the new employee her room, explain her duties, introduce her to the staff.ยป
Angela Petrovna, a tall woman with a straight back and cold gaze, fulfilled the task. She led Lyuba through the house, explaining everything dryly and to the point. The room was small but cozy: a bed, a nightstand, a wardrobe, a window overlooking the garden. The bathroom was shared. The maid was given a uniform and warned:
ยซThere must be order here. I donโt tolerate mess. I hope you wonโt have problems with that.ยป
In the kitchen, she was greeted by Natalia Nikolaevnaโthe cook with a kindly face and a perpetual blush. Seeing the newcomer, she immediately put a cup of coffee and a plate of sandwiches in front of her:
ยซNow that youโre one of us, you have to be properly welcomed! Eat, donโt be shy,ยป she winked.
Thus, unexpectedly for herself, Lyuba entered a new stage of life. Viktor Nikolaevich did not tell anyone where the new maid had come from. But when they were alone, he decided to learn more:
ยซItโs important for me to know who lives in my house. Tell me a little about yourself.ยป
Lyuba did not hide anything. Calmly and straightforwardly, she told how she grew up in an orphanage, graduated from nursing school, wanted to work as a nurse. One evening, returning from classes, she was attacked by two drunk men. She fought back, pushing one awayโhe hit his head on a stone. The next day he died. She was found guilty of his death.
ยซThere was one investigatorโMaxim Maksimovich,ยป Lyuba said quietly. ยซHe was, you might say, the only one who treated me humanely. He proved it was self-defense. But the court still sentenced me to four years. And nowโฆ Iโm free. No family, nowhere to return to. Finding work is a whole other story. As soon as they hear โcriminal record,โ faces change immediately.ยป
She spoke without complaints, just listing facts. Viktor Nikolaevich listened carefully, nodded, thoughtful. Apparently, he appreciated her honesty.
The house accepted Lyuba better than she could have imagined. The ownerโs driverโa significant man with thick mustaches and always in a strict suitโturned out to be a good-natured joker. Upon meeting, he theatrically bowed:
ยซAccept my respects, mademoiselle!ยป he winked like a hero from an old film.
Margarita, Nadyaโs mother, brought her a bag of clothes:
ยซHere, take these. Dresses, sweatersโthey were just lying around.ยป
Natalia Nikolaevna, the cook, even started calling her ยซdaughter.ยป Every time she treated her to something tasty: either a warm pastry or fresh apple pie.
Even strict Angela Petrovna did not pick on her without reason. If she made a remark, it was always fair and without malice.
Once Nadya proudly showed her doll collection:
ยซLook, a whole army of Barbies! Did you have any?ยป
ยซI did,ยป Lyuba smiled. ยซOnly I sewed their clothes myselfโfrom scraps of fabric. We werenโt bought anything then.ยป
ยซReally? Will you teach me?ยป the girl lit up.
And soon they were sewing doll clothes together. Nadya chirped happily, trying on every dress, learning to cut patterns.
The only one who continued to treat Lyuba warily was the guard Roman. He hardly spoke to her, looked coldly, squintingโas if expecting something.
Meanwhile, Viktor Nikolaevich understood well why it was so important for Nadya not to go out alone anymore. The reason was not only the truck incident. His construction company brought in large income, and Dmitry Molchanovโknown in certain circles as ยซThe Mothยปโhad long had his eye on it. Once an ordinary hooligan, he had managed to break through by creating his criminal empire.
He had repeatedly offered to buy Viktorโs business, and when refused, began to intimidate:
ยซIf you donโt want to do it nicely, itโll be different,ยป he said with hints but with clear threats.
Lyuba, of course, knew none of this. She simply performed her duties honestly: cleaning, washing, maintaining order. On her day off, she decided to relax a bitโtake a walk, visit a store, buy herself something.
After shopping, she went into a cafรฉ, ordered coffee, sat by the window, admiring the street bustle. Suddenly her gaze caught two men in the corner. One was a familiar face. The very man who attacked her many years ago. The second was his brother, the one who died that night. They were the Molchanovs.
Her heart pounded. The man sat only ten meters away, gesturing, talking about something. His companion sat with his back turned. She needed to leave before being noticed.
ยซHe definitely hasnโt forgiven meโฆ He thinks Iโm guilty,ยป ran through her mind. Though in fact, he was to blameโdrunk, unstable, attacked first. She was just defending herselfโฆ
Lyuba was already getting up to leave unnoticed when the second man turnedโand she almost dropped her bag. It was Roman. Her own guard.
At home, Lyuba immediately went to Viktor Nikolaevich. What she had seen did not let her rest.
ยซI walk into the cafรฉ, minding my own business, and thereโs that scoundrelโMolchanov. And next to himโRoman. They were sitting at the same table, talking like best friends.ยป
ยซMolchanov?ยป Viktor frowned. ยซThe Dmitry who wants to take my business?ยป
ยซThe very one.ยป
Now everything became clear: where Molchanov got information, how he learned about deals, plans, meetings. The leak was from insideโfrom the very house. And it was organized by the person trusted mostโthe guard.
ยซWe must act immediately,ยป Viktor said decisively, rising from the table.
The next morning he sent his wife and daughter on vacation to warm countries. Natalia Nikolaevna and Angela Petrovna got time off. He himself went to the police.
Investigator Denis Maksimovich listened carefully to the businessmanโs story and sighed:
ยซWeโve heard about Molchanov more than once. But they donโt open casesโno evidence, no witnesses, no facts.ยป
ยซSo, I have to wait until the house blows up?ยป Viktor asked bitterly.
ยซThereโs one way,ยป the investigator suggested. ยซInstall hidden cameras. So no one will guess.ยป
The cameras were installed discreetly. Viktor told Lyuba nothingโthe less she knew, the better.
Several days passed. Life went on. Viktor worked, reviewing papers but occasionally checking camera footage. One showed the winter gardenโLyuba watering flowers. Everything seemed normal.
And suddenlyโฆ Viktor saw Roman. He entered the office, looked around, opened a desk drawer, and took outโฆ a grenade.
ยซDamnโฆยป Viktor whispered, watching as the guard carefully set the device, hiding the wires.
Lyubaโs phone vibrated in her pocket. It was Viktor Nikolaevich calling.
ยซLyuba, listen carefully. Roman just installed a grenade in my office. Police are on their way. Try to hold him off a bit. But be carefulโdonโt risk yourself.ยป
Lyuba took a deep breath, hid the phone, and took a mop, heading toward the corridor. Hearing footsteps, she began to play her part.
ยซRoman, help me, please! Somethingโs jammed, I canโt fix it,ยป she asked, blocking his way.
ยซI donโt have time,ยป he cut her off.
ยซWait just a minute!ยป she insisted. ยซIโm here alone, no one to helpโฆยป
Roman began to get angry, tried to push her aside, but at that moment a voice came from the speaker:
ยซStop, scum!ยป
Without hesitation, Lyuba hit him on the head with the mop. Hard, until her arms ached. The guard collapsed to the floor.
Seconds later, police burst into the house. They put handcuffs on Roman, found the grenade, wires, fingerprints. Lyuba sat on the floor, breathing heavily, holding the mop while the investigator started taking statements.
There was enough evidence. Video, proof, Romanโs own confessionโhe broke down quickly and told everything: who gave the order, how much was paid, what was promised.
Dmitry Molchanov ended up behind bars. This time neither money nor connections saved him.
Some time later, Denis Maksimovich called Lyuba:
ยซMaybe we should meet? Just like that. Not as investigator and witness, but as people. I want to thank you. Youโre very brave, Lyuba.ยป
They met in a cafรฉ. The conversation was light and sincere. Over time, their relationship grew closer, and one day Denis proposed:
ยซLyuba, will you marry me?ยป
ยซOf course, yes,ยป she answered, smiling.
Packing her things, Lyuba warmly said goodbye to the house where her new life began. Nadya hugged her tightly:
ยซPromise youโll come back?ยป
ยซDefinitely,ยป she promised.
Viktor Nikolaevich shook her hand:
ยซIโm happy for you, Lyuba. People like you are hard to find. Thank you for everything.ยป
They left togetherโLyuba and Denis. The car rolled softly down the street where once Lyuba had looked out from the attic at the billboard clock, dreaming of another life.
She looked out the window and thought:
ยซSomewhere now, someone is looking at that clock too. And may they be lucky as well. I really want to believe that.ยป
