Summary
Highlights
Varyia gives birth to a baby boy, but the joy is short-lived as the newborn, named Vitia, struggles to breathe. Doctors discover Vitia has a severe heart defect, requiring urgent and expensive surgery. The lead doctor, Yaroslav Ivanovich, explains the baby's slim chances without intervention and the necessity of finding funds for a specialist.
Left with few options, Varyia seeks out Vitia's biological father, Kiril Timoken, a prominent bank executive and soon-to-be mayor, to ask for financial help. Despite her emotional appeal, Kiril coldly denies paternity and dismisses her, instructing security to remove her from his office.
Distraught, Varyia considers abandoning her child, believing it's the only way for Vitia to receive state-funded medical care. However, Dr. Yaroslav intervenes, offering Varyia a job as a cleaner at the hospital so she can stay close to her son while he receives treatment. He emphasizes that no one can replace a mother's presence.
Dr. Yaroslav confronts Kiril about Vitia's condition, subtly threatening to expose him as the father if he doesn't contribute. Kiril agrees to provide financial assistance through a charity fund. Later, he privately meets with Varyia, expressing regret and attempting to manipulate her into a romantic relationship while pushing for a DNA test to confirm paternity.
Nina, Kiril's mother's colleague and aspiring partner, becomes suspicious of Yaroslav and Varyia's connection. She voices her concerns and jealousy, spreading rumors about Varyia's relationship with Kiril and accusing her of using both men for financial gain.
Vitia's condition severely worsens, requiring immediate surgery and a ventilation apparatus. Despite facing pressure to attend a conference in Munich, Dr. Yaroslav cancels his plans to perform a risky, life-saving surgery on Vitia, demonstrating his deep commitment to his patient.
Dr. Yaroslav successfully performs the complex heart surgery on Vitia. Kiril appears at the hospital, bringing a ventilation machine and attempting to assert his paternal role, proposing that he and his wife Lena raise Vitia to ensure he receives the best care. Varyia, however, rejects this offer, stating she will manage with Dr. Yaroslav's help.
Overwhelmed by financial struggle and feeling unable to provide for Vitia, Varyia considers abandoning him again. Simultaneously, Lena, Kiril's wife, visits Varyia to present a heart-wrenching offer: she will adopt Vitia on the condition that Varyia never sees him again. Desperate, Varyia agrees. Shortly after, it is revealed that a DNA test confirms Sergey, Varyia's ex-boyfriend, is Vitia's biological father, not Kiril.
Later, Vitia suffers another heart attack. Lena calls Varyia, who rushes to the hospital. There, she finally holds her son. Realizing she made a mistake, she confronts Lena, asking for Vitia back. Lena is initially resistant but ultimately gives in, understanding Varyia's profound bond with her son. The movie ends with Varyia, Sergey, and Dr. Yaroslav looking hopefully towards Vitia's recovery and future, implying a new family unit.