Several months passed. One evening, Kirill Borisovich gathered everyone in the living room and placed a folder of documents on the table.
— Well, that’s it, — he said. — The court has passed sentence. Sasha, your grandmother and her whole crew got prison sentences, and your aunt and uncle have officially been stripped of their guardianship over you. And since you’re only fifteen, I’ve filed for legal guardianship myself. Until you come of age, I am your legal guardian.
Liza, sitting next to Shura, raised her eyebrows in surprise:
— Papa, what does that mean? Is Sasha my big sister now?
The father looked at the girls, who had become inseparable over time, and nodded.
— In effect, Elizaveta, that’s exactly what it means.
The girls exchanged a look and joyfully hugged each other.
— Lizka, do you hear that? We’ll always be together now! — Shura whispered.
For them, the complicated words from the documents meant nothing. All that mattered was that they were now one family.
Time passed. Life in the house was transformed. Alexandra, thanks to perseverance and the help of tutors, caught up on her missed school curriculum in two years and was accepted into university. She blossomed and became self-confident. Elizaveta changed too. She started attending a regular school. Her heart had grown noticeably stronger: a result not only of modern medicine and a timely operation, but also of a calm, stress-free life and daily walks with Sasha in the fresh air.
Kirill Borisovich often found himself thinking that he was perfectly happy. In the evenings, watching his two beautiful, smart, and close-knit girls discussing something at the table, he felt immense pride.
— Lizonka, Sashenka, come to dinner, it’s all on the table! — Galina Vasilyevna would call affectionately from the kitchen.
The master of the house was at peace about their future. He knew that on that frosty evening by the roadside, he hadn’t just found a random helper, but a second daughter. And the little ‘red dog’ was no longer alone—she had finally found those who valued and loved her.
