“Nina, why are we doing this?”

Nina sighed. “I don’t trust him, Nikolai. Katya’s in love and blind to his flaws.”

“Alright, but these cheap clothes feel uncomfortable.”

“No one will recognize you. People like us don’t notice those down there.”

Years ago, Nina had struggled with alcoholism and bad company, but after a pregnant woman begged her to save her, she swore off alcohol. The woman died during childbirth, and Katya was brought into their family, no one suspecting she wasn’t their biological daughter.

Nikolai had forgotten the past, but now, their daughter was about to marry a secretive man. They had always known everything about her, so this was suspicious. Nikita seemed fine, but the secrecy raised questions.

Nina never expected Katya to hide things. They’d always intervened with past suitors before it went too far.

***

Nikita’s parents lived in the suburbs, so Nina and Nikolai decided to take the electric train, hoping that by showing their modest lifestyle, they’d change their attitude toward Katya and bring her back home.

Later, a dirty girl with a gypsy-style scarf stood next to Nina. She introduced herself as Sara and offered to read Nina’s fortune. Nina jokingly read hers first and surprised the girl by describing her desire for a big doll with blue eyes. Sara, taken aback, revealed she lived with gypsies who beat her if she didn’t bring back money. Nina decided to help her.

They got off the train, and a car arrived with Nikita. The couple, still in their “homeless” appearance, quickly climbed in. Sara muttered, “Rosa’s going to kill me.”

Nikita drove fast, and once they were away from the city, he asked, “Did we steal the child?”

Nina, unsure how it looked, responded, “I didn’t think about that. Why are you helping us?”

Nikita shrugged, “I trust you.”

When they arrived, Nikita was surprised by their house. “You live here?”

Nina nodded, “Didn’t Katya tell you?”

Nikita paused, “She never let me walk her home.”

Nina smiled, “She’ll stay with us tonight. We’ll help her.”

As they got out, Nina turned to Nikita, “We owe you an apology.”

He was surprised, “Apologize to me?”