Autumn, 1940

The story begins with a psychotherapist named David traveling to Kyiv at the invitation of his childhood friend, Zoya.

Zoya is a wealthy woman, and her husband is part of the political elite. She has two adopted children, Lev and Ulyana. Lev is 21 years old, and Ulyana is 16. Ulyana has mental health issues—she is unwell, not fully herself, and slightly developmentally delayed, so she requires constant supervision like a young child. Zoya and her husband are both very busy people.

Until now, Ulyana's older brother, Lev, had been the one taking care of her. But Lev is now an adult who must fully dedicate himself to his sports career—he is a talented gymnast.

Due to political unrest in the country, Zoya is forced to leave home and stay with her husband in another city. She needs someone trustworthy—a doctor—who can take care of Ulyana in her absence.

That's when she remembers her old friend, David, who is now known as a talented psychotherapist. She hires David as a live-in doctor.