Here’s a shortened version that preserves the story’s meaning and emotional arc:
Sima had been homeless for over a year, surviving in a rundown forester’s hut near a landfill. Her “pillows” were sawdust-filled sacks; her “blanket,” an old carpet. She scrounged furniture and clothes from the trash, filtered river water through rags and charcoal, and found food in expired supermarket goods.
She hoped to earn enough to replace stolen documents and return to her southern homeland.
One night, a luxury SUV dumped what Sima thought was roofing felt. When she unrolled it, she discovered an older woman—bruised but alive—inside a heavy carpet. It was Maria Filippovna, whose son-in-law had tried to kill her for her inheritance.
Sima helped Maria recover and hid her when the man returned. Grateful, Maria revealed she had left everything to her grandson, Oleg. Sima disguised herself as Maria to reach him. With help from a kind driver, Azis, she made it to Oleg and told him the truth.
They rushed back to find the hut burning—but Maria had escaped through a tunnel. Reunited, Oleg took them home. Maria quickly arranged help for Sima, starting with document recovery and a makeover.
From a landfill encounter grew a powerful bond. Sima had saved Maria’s life—and Maria gave her a second chance at hers.
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