Dad, is she pretty?”
Alexandre’s lips curved into a smile. A wave of relief washed over him as he finally prepared to share with his daughter his plans to remarry. For an entire week, he had delayed this conversation, even though he knew that a month from now, his future wife would move into their home.
Sonia was no ordinary child; her intelligence often astonished even grown-ups. Frequently, her remarks and insights left Alexandre, a successful entrepreneur, both surprised and thoughtful.
“Of course, she’s beautiful! You’ll get along wonderfully. She can teach you all sorts of girl stuff — like how to dress and what clothes match,” he replied.
Sonia burst into laughter. “Dad, honestly, stop talking about that — it’s too funny!”
Alexandre chuckled along. His daughter was a fashion icon among her friends. Sometimes, he’d blink in disbelief at her outfits but kept a supportive smile. When Sonia’s friends praised her look and their mothers inquired who styled the little girl so well, Alexandre looked at his daughter with proud, tender eyes, albeit slightly overwhelmed.
From the start, Sonia had always been a leader. Occasionally, Alexandre questioned whether he spent too little time with her. The girl had grown self-reliant and organized. Whenever he was away, she immersed herself in reading, drawing, or crafting some intriguing project. Their nanny, who had served their family for six years, often exclaimed, “I’ve never cared for a child like her! Explain once, and she immediately grasps everything. And the way she recites poetry! It’s as if she wrote it herself and understands every word.”
Although Alexandre took pride in his daughter, he recognized that his role in her upbringing was limited. He was seldom home. Sonia was raised chiefly by the nanny and housekeeper, Natasha. Yet, during vacations, they were inseparable: Sonia shone with pure joy, never leaving her father’s side. Alexandre, in turn, cherished these moments and happily left his laptop behind.
“Dad, when will she arrive?” Sonia inquired.
“In about a month,” he answered.
“What’s her name?”
“Alice,” he replied.
“I will prepare a surprise for her!”
“Come up with something, Sonia. I’m so glad you’re taking all this so well. I was worried you might be against it…”
Sonia regarded him seriously. “No, Dad. I understand — a woman is necessary in the house.”
For a moment, Alexandre hesitated, unsure how to respond. Fortunately, his phone rang. Sonia waved cheerfully and darted inside.
She already knew what surprise to prepare for her soon-to-be stepmother — something kind, naturally. She planned to learn Alice’s language. Though only a month remained, Sonia was determined; she’d master the most useful words and phrases first. Immediately, she called her former nanny for assistance, who gladly agreed.
While Alexandre drove to his office, Sonia focused intently: reading books, sketching, or listening through her earphones. Alexandre reflected on life’s twists: when Lena had passed away a year earlier, he had believed everything was over. It was only thanks to Lena’s mother that he had managed to survive — she had supported Sonia while grieving herself. At that time, Alexandre was oblivious to everything around him.
He remembered the day his mother-in-law entered his office. Sitting there, cognac glass in hand, facing Lena’s photo, she had glanced sharply, swept everything from the desk, placed the baby’s cradle on it, and declared:
“You are selfish! No, worse — a monster! Lena would never have wanted you to forget your daughter like this! I lost my daughter… my only one. But I am here for Sonia. And you are nothing but weak. It’s your daughter! I’m leaving. I’ll return in a week.”
And she left.
He remained stunned as Sonia looked at him with wide eyes, then began crying. Lost and uncertain, Alexandre wandered. He read the instructions his mother-in-law left about feeding and care. Gradually, in the following days, he realized it was not as daunting as he feared. He smiled at Sonia: “We will manage!”
Two weeks passed. His mother-in-law hadn’t returned. Upon visiting her home, Alexandre found it empty. Neighbors told him she had been hospitalized following a heart attack. He wanted to shout, “Why didn’t anyone tell me?” but remembered his broken phone near the cemetery.
He buried Lidia Mikhaïlovna next to Lena. Sitting by the grave, he whispered, “Thank you for lifting me up and bringing me back to life. I promise to do everything for Sonia. She will be happy.”
Over seven years, he expanded his modest enterprise into a major corporation. Now, he stood among the country’s most successful businesspeople.
At his office, Rita greeted him: his trusted assistant, Lena’s former friend, and Sonia’s godmother.
“Sasha, I booked the ticket for your fiancée. She leaves on the first of the month at five PM.”
“Perfect, thanks.”
“How did Sonia react?”
Alexandre tensed slightly.
“Why do you ask?”
Rita sighed.
“Just curious…”
As she prepared to leave, Sasha realized he had been abrupt.
“Sorry. She’s handling it well. She even seemed happy.”
Rita smiled.
“Sonia is wonderful. I hope they get along.”
He thought he detected a hint of sadness in her voice, but maybe he was mistaken.
That evening, Alice called. After customary greetings, she asked:
“Sasha, where does your daughter study?”
“Where? High school.”
“Have you considered she might deserve an excellent education? Perhaps studying abroad?”
“Alice, let’s agree I don’t want to hear such things anymore.”
After a pause, Alice’s tone softened.
“Sorry. I was just trying to help. I thought about the future.”
Sasha felt a twinge of irritation. Everyone seemed concerned about Sonia as if he couldn’t provide for her.
He noticed that over the past month, Sonia had been diligently busy: flipping through books, listening to French in her earphones. He realized she was learning her future stepmother’s language. He smiled privately, knowing Alice would appreciate this. Yet, he kept silent to keep it Sonia’s surprise. Despite Alice’s perfect Russian and foreign upbringing — her parents had moved abroad when she was two — this was nearly all Alexandre knew about her fiancée.
Alice owned a small but struggling chain of shoe stores. He planned to help financially, but only after marriage. Perhaps he would suggest closing these shops to open new ones in Russia, since they intended to live together.
Sonia insisted on welcoming Alice alongside her father. Alice did not come empty-handed; she gifted Sonia a set of French perfumes for children. Sonia was delighted, especially to receive a huge teddy bear from her godparents.
Yet doubts troubled Alexandre from the beginning. He overheard Alice tell a friend she did not like children much. When her friend invited her somewhere, Alice declined upon learning children would be present.
When hanging up, Sasha cautiously asked:
“You don’t really like children?”
Alice shrugged.
“Let’s just say I’m not fond of them. I prefer to avoid them.”
They had only met a few days before; their first dinner outside the hotel had occurred that evening.
“Why do you ask?” she queried.
“Just curious. I have a daughter.”
Alice narrowed her brows slightly.
“Perhaps you have a wife too?”
Sasha sighed.
“No. My wife died long ago.”
Immediately, Alice placed her hand over his.
“Sorry… I didn’t know…”
Her voice brimmed with sincere compassion, and Sasha merely nodded. “At least she’s honest,” he thought.
Still, Alice quickly became a central figure in his life. Within weeks, he could not imagine life without her. Beautiful, intelligent, flawless — everything about her matched his dreams.
Returning home, they celebrated with a family dinner. Alice, surprised, asked:
“Aren’t we going to a restaurant?”
Sasha grinned.
“No restaurant can match our homemade pies! We’ll go out later, but tonight is family time: you, me, and Sonia.”
Alice smiled.
“You’re right. I’m tired. Home is better.”
The next morning, Alexandre left for work. Sonia was preparing for something, practicing words aloud. In the living room, Alice spoke French on the phone, assuming no one understood. Hearing fragments, Sonia quickly looked away and immersed herself in a book. In reality, she was mentally translating to grasp the conversation’s meaning.
As Alice entered the bedroom, Sonia dashed to the front door.
“Rita! I need your help!”
“What’s wrong, sweetheart?”
“Come get me and take me to Dad — but don’t tell him! It’s urgent.”
“What’s happening?”
“Please, Rita! Hurry!”
Within fifteen minutes, Sonia was in the car, clutching a notebook, anxiously checking her phone.
“Sonia, who hurt you?”
She looked up, wide-eyed.
“Not me. But they’re going to deceive Dad!”
When Sasha saw her settle in his office with Rita, he was stunned.
“Are you serious?! What are you doing here? How did you get in? Explain, Rita!”
Rita responded firmly.
“Don’t get angry yet. Listen to your daughter first. Stop playing the hero who thinks children are always wrong.”
Sasha stiffened. Such a tone from Rita was unexpected. Meanwhile, Sonia finished writing.
“Done! It’s ready!”
“Ready? For what?!”
“The translation! I heard Alice on the phone. I understood almost everything. Only a few words were missing.”
Alexandre took the sheet.
“Which words?”
“It means ‘weak poison,’ and that one means ‘mean.’ Basically, she was talking about me…”
Alexandre paled and stared at his daughter.
“Tell me everything!”
Pacing the office in disbelief, he processed the revelation. Alice was already married! She discussed with her husband how to pressure Sasha for financial aid. Marriage with Alexandre was not contemplated — she was still wed.
Security checks confirmed the truth. Alice had a first husband and two children she rarely saw. Gambling debts overwhelmed her, and she needed Sasha’s money to cover them.
Furious, Sasha slammed the table.
“What a vile woman! I swear I’ll deal with her!”
A week later, he sat at home with Sonia. Alice had been ordered to leave immediately. Sasha sent her a stark message: “Leave or I will take care of you.” She understood immediately and fainted.
“Dad?”
“Yes, my darling?”
“Did you forget something?”
Alexandre frowned.
“Forgot what?”
Suddenly, he realized: today was Sonia’s birthday!
At that moment, a knock came at the door. A giant pink teddy bear appeared, followed by Rita carrying gifts.
Sasha murmured.
“Rita… I completely forgot…”
She responded without a word.
“I suspected. Let’s say it was planned.”
Sonia was over the moon, twirling slowly with the bear. It was the first time a giant mascot had come to her home! What wonderful presents from her godparents!
As bedtime came, the girl whispered.
“It would be wonderful if Rita lived with us…”
Alexandre looked surprised, then held Rita’s gaze for a long moment. He couldn’t resist asking:
“Rita, why aren’t you married?”
She blushed.
“It’s not important. I need to go now.”
He approached and gently lifted her chin.
“Wait. You don’t think I’m a fool, do you?”
Rita sighed.
“You can be, if you want…”
While they spoke, Sonia fell asleep, unaware her wish would come true in six months.
In summary, the story reveals the complexities of blending families, the strength of a father’s love, and the maturity of a young girl facing change. Trust, betrayal, and new beginnings intertwine, depicting a heartfelt journey towards healing and hope.