Elena

Elena, a nurse from a proletarian background, meets Vladimir, an elderly business tycoon, during a hospital stay. The chance encounter sparks a romance that leads to an unlikely marriage. The union bridges two very different social worlds in Moscow.

After the marriage, Elena's social position and lifestyle rise sharply as she enters Vladimir's affluent circle. The exclusive downtown apartment contrasts with her former crumbling home, highlighting the shift in status. The marriage becomes a catalyst for Elena's influence over her new world.

Vladimir makes it clear he won't subsidize Elena's relatives and hints at changes to his will. He intends to leave his wealth to his daughter from a previous marriage, with some monthly payments to Elena. Elena fears losing the protection and status the marriage provides.

Motivated by fear of losing her position, Elena devises a plan to murder Vladimir by switching his medications with Viagra, dangerous for him after a heart attack. She intends to carry out the switch at Vladimir's home, exploiting his medical vulnerability. The plot marks a brutal turn from care to crime.

Vladimir dies in his bed after the drug substitution, and Elena destroys the handwritten version of his unwritten will. She then calls authorities to report his death, feigning ignorance about the cause. The act casts a long shadow over their marriage and Elena's future.

Medical examination concludes that Vladimir's death resulted from self-administered medication abuse, not foul play. Elena's role as the killer remains hidden, and there is no formal pursuit of her involvement. The case closes without charges and with Elena positioned to benefit from the estate.

Because there was no formal will, Elena inherits half of Vladimir's estate while the other half goes to his daughter. The intestate arrangement locks Elena into a significant share of the wealth without official accountability for her actions. This outcome cements her financial security in the new life she envisions.

Elena transfers a substantial sum of money to her son to help fund his grandson's university education. The gesture reinforces her new role as the primary financial power behind the family. It also strengthens her control over the future of Elena's family.

The news arrives that Elena's son’s wife is pregnant again, a development Elena uses to press her advantage and solidify family alliances. The pregnancy adds urgency to arranging the grandson's education and secure status. The family reacts with mixed gratitude and ambition.

Elena keeps her involvement in Vladimir's death a secret from her son, maintaining the illusion of a normal family life. She carefully manages what she reveals, balancing gratitude for the help with the danger of exposure. The lie allows her to enjoy the benefits of the inheritance without consequences.

To celebrate the pregnancy and the anticipated college education for her grandson, the family toasts with liquor, inadvertently reinforcing how Elena's wealth has altered their dynamics. The act underscores Elena's control over the household and the secrets she still guards. The moment also marks a quiet seismic shift as the family bonds are tested.

Elena's family soon moves from the decrepit Khrushchevka to Vladimir's wealthy Moscow home, where Elena becomes the sole occupant. The move symbolizes the final break from Elena's old life and the triumph of her marriage's wealth. A new life begins, built on secrets and money rather than affection.