“See you tomorrow, Svetka!” the kids waved as she set off along the winding trail home. Though her classmates lived in the village, Svetlana’s home lay deep within the forest — an arrangement due to her father’s reputation as a recluse among locals. Yet, that label never fully captured the truth. Back when her mother was alive, her father was lively, joking and hosting joyous family gatherings. But since then, everything had shifted.
Svetlana lacked nothing. Her father supported her studies and took her into the city for shopping trips — though to a different place now, distant from the life they once knew.
One year earlier, her father sat her down seriously: “Svetka, I need to talk to you like an adult. It’s been hard for both of us without your mother. I thought time would help me adapt, but it hasn’t. This house, the garden with her flowers, the streets where we roamed — they all remind me of her. I’ve found a wonderful spot. It’s a bit removed from people but near a school and other children.”
“You want us to move?” she asked cautiously.
“Yes, not just move but leave here entirely — to the village.”
Svetlana frowned. “We’ve never lived in a village. I’ve read there’s no hot water, and toilets are outdoors.”
“That’s true for those unwilling to change,” her father acknowledged. “But we’re the kind to create comfort. We’ll sell everything here and build a new home.”
She pondered the idea: parting from classmates was tough, but were they truly friends? Many resented her for excelling academically. The school was elite, admissions tough, but failing out was even harder. Students often didn’t try hard, yet Svetlana consistently achieved top marks by staying ahead of the curriculum. Friends seemed scarce, perhaps starting anew was better.
“Can I get a kitten or puppy?” she asked, looking up.
Her father wrapped her in an embrace. “Both! It’ll be wonderful. We’ll fish, swim in summer, ski in winter, decorate a real Christmas tree growing right outside, and hear birdsong every day.”
Svetlana’s eyes sparkled. “Let’s go now!”
“Wait a month — till the school year ends. Then we move.”
Thus began their life in the woods. Though just fifty meters from the village, dense trees masked their home, creating a feeling of solitude.
Yet, appearances deceived. Over the year, their old house underwent a remarkable transformation. It gained a second floor, a steep red roof replaced the old one, plumbing and a bath installed via a well ensuring steady water supply, and even reliable internet. A tall fence secured the spacious yard from passersby’s view.
A few months ago, Nikolai accepted a job as forest ranger. Svetlana, having devoured numerous books about nature, exclaimed, “That’s cooler than being a businessman!”
Nikolai smiled. In the tranquil woods, he was slowly returning to his cheerful self.
“Svetochka!” he called as she strolled home from school.
An out-of-breath grandmother named Katya approached from the village end, handing over a sizable package. “Thanks to your father, Grandpa Ivan got fresh boar meat,” she said tearfully. “Without him, we’d never have caught it.”
“Won’t you come in?”
“No, your dad knows we have plenty here. I just wanted to treat you — you can’t buy this in stores!”
Svetlana understood the warmth. The village children adored Katya and Grandpa Ivan, who offered them berries and fruit regularly.
Just a month ago, Grandpa Ivan suffered a heart attack. The local medic was absent, and hope waned until Nikolai promptly transported him to town by car. Doctors confirmed that a delay of even an hour could have been fatal. Now recovered, Grandpa had quit smoking.
Svetlana’s bag and package felt heavier as she neared home.
Almost reaching the house, something unusual caught her eye. Passing her items to her father, she dashed back.
Confused, Nikolai whistled, summoning the massive dog Murat. “Guard her!” he commanded, nodding to Svetlana.
The dog reached her, and she stroked him before hurriedly continuing.
Before Nikolai vaulted the porch, a piercing scream from his daughter and loud barking erupted. Dropping everything, he rushed outside.
He spotted Svetlana in her bright jacket, frozen in place, while Murat barked frantically nearby.
Moments later, he joined her and saw a woman bound to a thick tree, head hanging lifelessly, eyes closed.
“Dad, is she dead?” Svetlana whispered scared.
Feeling a pulse on her neck, Nikolai swiftly cut the ropes, lifted her carefully, and lowered her gently on the ground. She groaned faintly.
“Svetka, run home for water!”
The girl dashed off, dog following. Moments later, she returned with a bottle.
Nikolai sprinkled water on the woman’s face and offered her sips. Gradually, she awakened.
He glanced around, unsettled. What was happening within his territory?
Weakly, the stranger whispered, “Hide me… He will come back to check if I’m alive.”
“Who?” Nikolai asked, but she fainted again.
He cradled her in his arms. “Back to the house — quickly!”
Inside, she lay on the sofa. Nikolai removed her jacket, noticing multiple bruises but fine clothing and valuable jewelry remained — indicating no robbery, likely abuse from someone close.
Initially, he planned to summon the medic, but recalling her plea to hide from a returning man, he chose to wait.
With bandaged injuries and no critical harm, observation was sufficient for now.
That night, after Svetlana fell asleep, the woman opened her eyes.
“Where am I?” she asked, tensing at the sight of Nikolai.
“You’re safe. I’m the local forest ranger. No one knows you’re here. What happened?”
“My husband… he wants to claim all my property.”
“Your husband? Really?”
“Yes. We married three years ago. I found out he was unfaithful and wanted a divorce. But he learned first.”
Nikolai rubbed his head thoughtfully. Trust shattered by betrayal — he struggled to comprehend such cruelty.
“Would you like something to eat?”
“No, just water.”
By the next day, she revealed her name was Galina, already gaining strength enough to walk with support and visit the restroom. She blushed at Nikolai’s teasing, reminiscent of a schoolgirl feeling shy.
When Svetlana returned from school, Nikolai introduced them. The girl examined Galina and said, “You’re pretty, just a bit dirty.”
“Svetka!” her father gently scolded.
“Sorry! Want me to help you shower? I’ll bring a stool.”
Galina smiled. “That would be wonderful.”
With every hour, Nikolai noticed how much Svetlana missed female company. They chatted like old friends, with the girl showing her makeup kits. “I don’t wear makeup yet but try it at home. When I grow up, I want to be a famous makeup artist.”
“Excellent choice! Doing what you love is important, and good makeup artists are always in demand.”
They left for the bathroom, leaving Nikolai to set the table.
Soon Svetlana dashed out of the bath and returned wrapped in a large terry robe — one Nikolai had brought at the start but never worn.
He watched silently, wondering if beneath that robe, Galina had nothing at all. Then he angrily dismissed the thought.
Dinner felt special. The three shared laughter and stories, Nikolai sensing a cozy, familial atmosphere.
At night, sleep eluded him. Stepping outside, he heard a door creak — Galina.
For hours, they sat on the porch beneath a starry sky.
“Your home is beautiful,” she said.
“Indeed.”
She asked how he ended up here.
The conversation unfolded: Galina explained her younger husband married her for money. Nikolai shared how a drunk driver struck his wife, with justice evaded due to wealth and influence.
Four days passed when the unexpected happened. While Svetlana attended school, cleaning turned into something deeper between Nikolai and Galina. The emotional ice around his heart melted.
Galina hesitated, but Nikolai felt firmly that he wouldn’t let her go. She also did not want to leave.
Svetlana noticed the change and beamed with happiness. Though missing her mother dearly, she understood her father deserved a new life, and Galina was kind and lively.
One day Nikolai proposed, “Gal, let’s go to the city. File for divorce. Then we marry.”
She sighed. “Kolya, forgive me… It’s impossible.”
“Why? You told me yourself…”
“I can’t live without you. I’d miss you and Svetlana every day. But you wouldn’t want me to stay.”
“What do you mean?”
“Yesterday, while cleaning your room, I found a photo of your wife… My husband hit her with his car. I paid to have him released. This was at the beginning of our relationship. Never again would I do that now.”
Nikolai stared at her, hardly recognizing the woman. Then silently left the house.
Sitting on a stump, staring, he saw Galina leave and walk toward the road to catch a bus back to the city — nothing more for her here.
Suddenly a car approached. She raised her hand, but recoiled shouting, “No!”
Maxim — her husband — jumped out and chased her. A second away from catching her, two gunshots rang out.
Frozen, Maxim faced Nikolai holding a rifle.
“You will tell everything on camera: how you hit my wife, beat your own, and demanded all property transferred to you.”
“No way!”
Another shot raised grass between Maxim’s legs. He froze.
“Next one grazes.”
“You’re crazy!”
“Maybe. But you’ll comply.”
A bullet hit his arm, bleeding.
“Alright! I’ll do it!”
Six months later, Nikolai and Galina officially wed. Waiting was necessary for court, documents, and for everyone to accept their union consciously.
Svetlana nearly cried learning Galina owned a chain of beauty salons.
Nikolai rolled his eyes as his daughter’s room filled with feminine items but bore it because Galina promised they’d have a son.
Conclusion: This touching story reveals how unexpected encounters and courage can restore broken lives. From grief to new beginnings, the forest home fostered healing, trust, and a redefined family bound by love and hope. It reminds us that even in darkest moments, fate can bring redemption, transforming pain into enduring joy.