Alice was gradually coming to consciousness, feeling fear slowly spreading through her entire body. Her head was splitting with unbearable pain, and her mouth tasted metallic—a mixture of blood and something bitter. She lay on the cold concrete floor, covered with mold and dampness. Above her flickered a dim light bulb, casting ominous shadows on the gray walls.
Trying to move, she realized her hands and feet were tightly bound with rough rope digging into her skin. Her heart clenched with panic. Where was she? How had she gotten here? Alice looked around: the same gray walls, rusty pipes, and a puddle of water in the corner were before her eyes. A typical basement, but for her, it had become a prison cell.
She tried to remember what had happened. Fragments of memories flashed through her mind: Sergey’s face, pain in her neck, darkness…
Tears ran down her cheeks as she realized how hopeless the situation had become. Her thoughts were confused, fear crippled her movements, and cold sweat ran down her back. It was as if a fog had enveloped her memory — a dull hum filled her head, and every breath was difficult, as if the air had thickened.
Three days earlier, Alice had come home earlier than expected. She wanted to surprise her husband—she had bought his favorite pastries and a bottle of good wine. Quietly, she unlocked the door with her key and heard a woman’s laughter from the bedroom. Her chest froze, leaving behind an icy emptiness.
In the room, Sergey was with another woman—a beautiful blonde around thirty. They were so absorbed in each other they didn’t notice her at first. Her husband jumped up, trying to explain something, but Alice silently headed toward the exit. The bag with pastries slipped from her hands and fell to the floor.
“Wait!” he shouted, throwing on a robe. “It’s not what you think!”
“Then what is it?” Alice asked, stopping in the doorway. Her voice was calm but steel was felt beneath it.
Sergey hesitated, choosing his words carefully, clearly trying to figure out how to get out of this.
“I love you!”
“Love or money?” she looked at him with bitterness and contempt. “Remember the prenup? If you cheat on me, you get nothing. I’m filing for divorce tomorrow.”
She left, slamming the door. Sergey stood there, his face twisted with rage. Alice couldn’t believe this was really happening. Inside, everything boiled, but outwardly she remained composed.
Getting into the car, she started the engine. Her hands trembled, but her resolve was iron—she had to go to the lawyer. She wasn’t going to forgive the betrayal. But suddenly, a sharp pain pierced her neck. Alice turned around—Sergey was standing nearby with a syringe in his hand.
“Sorry, darling,” he whispered, smiling. “But I won’t be left without money.”
The world began to blur. Strength rapidly left her, her limbs went numb, and her consciousness clouded. The last thing she felt was falling onto the seat before everything went dark.
When Alice woke up, she was already in that damp basement. Sergey sat on an old chair, smoking, looking at her mockingly. There was not a trace of regret in his eyes.
“Finally came to,” he said, flicking ash. “I’ve already arranged your funeral. A pathologist friend will issue a death certificate citing a heart attack. And I’ll become a rich widower.”
“You’ve lost your mind!” Alice whispered, struggling to free herself.
“No, on the contrary—I’ve finally woken up. You think I liked pretending to be a loving husband? Listening to your lectures? Putting up with your tantrums? Better to get everything now.”
He stood up, stubbed out the cigarette on the floor, and headed for the exit:
“I’ll be back soon. Think about how you want to go—quickly or with suffering.”
Alice struggled with the ropes, but her strength was fading. Despair and fear squeezed her chest—she understood she was on the edge of life and death.
After a few hours, Sergey loaded the bound Alice into the trunk of the car. The road was long and bumpy—every bump sent pain through her body. She tried to memorize the turns, but it was useless in the dark. Finally, the car stopped.
“We’re here, baby,” Sergey said, dragging her out.
Around them stretched a dense forest. Pines surrounded them tightly, forming an almost impenetrable wall. No signs of people. He tied Alice to a thick tree, checking the knots’ strength.
“No one will find you here,” he hissed with cruel pleasure. “And wild beasts will quickly deal with the body. Meanwhile, I’ll mourn my beloved wife and take all her estate.”
Then he got in the car, started the engine, and drove away. Alice screamed for help, but all she heard in response was echo and the rustling leaves. When her voice gave out and her strength ran dry, she burst into tears. The forest seemed endless and merciless. The silence pressed down, and every rustle made her heart beat faster.
Suddenly, a huge dark silhouette emerged from the trees. Alice’s heart froze—it was a wolf! Terrified, she screamed and lost consciousness.
She awoke to the feeling of someone carefully untying the ropes on her hands…
In front of her stood a man of about forty, with a kind but worn face and attentive eyes. Next to him, wagging his tail, sat a large German Shepherd—the very animal Alice had mistaken for a wild beast.
“What’s your name?” the man asked gently. “I’m Yegor, a local gamekeeper. This is Jack, my dog. He found you.”
“Alice…” she whispered, still not believing she was alive. “My husband… tried to kill me.”
Yegor frowned but didn’t ask questions right away. Carefully, he helped her to her feet—her legs trembled and barely obeyed. He supported her as they slowly walked along a narrow path toward a small wooden cabin that seemed to Alice like true salvation.
Inside, it was warm and cozy. The air smelled of wood and forest herbs. Yegor seated her in a soft armchair by the fireplace, treated the wounds on her wrists, and poured hot tea with honey and herbs.
“Drink this,” he said kindly. “It will help you calm down. You’re safe now.”
Alice took the first sip and felt peace for the first time in many hours. He didn’t ask unnecessary questions or demand details. He simply stayed nearby. His voice, his steadiness became an anchor for her. She felt she could trust people again.
The next day, Alice told him her story: how she met Sergey at a business dinner, how she fell in love; how she lost her father in her youth and inherited his business; about the prenuptial agreement that was supposed to protect her but failed.
“My father used to say that money attracts dangerous people,” she sighed, staring into the fire. “But I was too naive to understand that.”
Yegor listened silently, only occasionally adding firewood. In his eyes, she saw understanding and deep pain. He, too, knew what betrayal was.
“I’m very sorry you went through this,” he finally said. “But you’re alive. And that means you have a second chance.”
That night, Alice slept without nightmares. Jack lay on the floor beside her, and Yegor dozed in a nearby chair. For the first time in a long while, she felt completely safe.
In the morning, Yegor spoke cautiously but firmly:
“Hiding here isn’t safe. Sergey might come back. We need to act fast.”
They drove to the city in an old UAZ vehicle. At the hospital, doctors documented signs of assault, and Alice filed a report at the police station. The investigator listened attentively and promised to help. An investigation was launched.
Meanwhile, at the “Golden Fish” restaurant, the memorial for the “deceased” Alice continued. Sergey, dressed in an expensive black suit, expertly played the grieving widower. Sitting beside him was Svetlana—his mistress.
“Alice was an incredibly kind person,” he told the assembled guests, theatrically wiping an imaginary tear. “I can’t imagine my life without her…”
Svetlana patted his hand sympathetically, pretending to grieve. Everyone was moved by his “sorrow.”
Suddenly, the door slammed open. Standing on the threshold was Alice—alive and well—accompanied by the police. The room fell silent.
“I hope you missed me a lot?” she said with a cold smile as she entered. “Especially you, dear husband.”
Sergey’s face went pale. A glass slipped from his fingers and shattered on the floor.
“Tell everyone exactly how I died,” Alice demanded as she stepped closer.
Sergey began to stammer out excuses, but his voice betrayed him with trembling. The police handcuffed him. Along with him, they arrested the bribed pathologist who had been among the guests.
“I didn’t want to kill her!” Sergey shouted as he was led away. “It was Svetlana who made me do it!”
But no one was listening anymore. The guests looked at him with disgust. Alice stood in the middle of the room, feeling months of fear lift from her shoulders. The nightmare was over.
Later, Alice learned from the local officer about Yegor’s past. Once, he had been a successful businessman, owner of a construction company. But his best friend and partner betrayed him, framing him in a criminal case. Yegor lost everything—his business, freedom, and reputation. He spent three years in prison for a crime he did not commit.
After his release, he couldn’t reclaim his former life. Disillusioned with people, he retreated to the forest and became a gamekeeper. He lived many years alone, only with his faithful dog Jack.
When Alice came to his house, he was chopping wood.
“Thank you for everything,” she said, handing him a check. “Please take this.”
Yegor shook his head.
“I don’t need money. I helped you because it was the right thing to do.”
“Then take me with you,” she unexpectedly asked. “I don’t want the city anymore. I don’t want to be someone’s prize or a means to an end.”
Yegor looked at her in surprise and smiled for the first time in many years.
“Will you be able to live away from everything?”
“I’ll learn,” Alice replied. “With you, I feel alive.”
Two years passed. Alice sold most of the inheritance, keeping only a little for stability. Now she lived in the forest with Yegor. She had learned to cook on a stove, read animal tracks, and predict the weather by the sky.
They loved each other sincerely and honestly—two people who had lost faith in the world but found it again in each other’s arms.
One day, Alice came back from a doctor’s visit and showed an ultrasound image with a joyful smile:
“Look. Our family is about to get bigger.”
Yegor embraced her gently. They stood silently for a long time. Jack wagged his tail happily, as if he understood too—that soon he would have a new friend.
