What if Victor actually knew?
No. That was absurd. Her husband loved her. He took care of her. He couldn’t…
But then why did he insist on the bracelet? Why did he get angry when she forgot to put it on? Why did he never agree when she suggested going to the doctor to check her heart?
Ada stood up from the bench, feeling much better. Her head had cleared, and her heart was beating steadily. She took out her phone and dialed Silas Kincaid’s number.
«Ada!» His voice sounded concerned. «How are you feeling?»
«Better, thank you. Mr. Kincaid, I apologize for interrupting the meeting. May I take the rest of the day off? I need to see a doctor.»
«Of course, of course. Take care of your health. Everything else can wait.»
She hung up and slowly walked to the parking lot where she had left her car. The doctor’s words echoed in her head. Do not let anyone manage your health.
Ada sat in her car, hands on the steering wheel, staring into the void. The engine was off. Silence surrounded her, broken only by the distant noise of the avenue.
The bracelet lay in her blazer pocket, and she kept catching herself mechanically reaching for her wrist, checking if it was there. Habit. Over three months, it had become a reflex to touch the cool metal, as if it were a part of her.
Victor had accustomed her to this unnoticed, repeating day after day: Don’t forget to put on the bracelet. It’s important for your health.
She remembered that January evening when he gave her the gift. They were sitting in the kitchen after dinner. The apartment smelled of the apple pie Ada had baked specifically for his return from a business trip.
Victor took a small velvet box from his pocket and handed it to her with a smile. «Open it.»
Inside, on a white cushion, lay the elegant bracelet—a thin chain with neat magnetic inserts, each the size of a grain of rice. It shimmered in the light of the chandelier, looking expensive and stylish.
«This is for you,» Victor said, taking her hand. «I have wanted to find something special for a long time. You know, after that visit to the cardiologist, I kept worrying. You work so much, you get nervous, and your heart… I found a specialist who deals with these devices. This isn’t just jewelry. The magnetic field helps improve circulation and stabilizes the rhythm. Wear it constantly and you will feel better.»
Ada was touched then. Victor was always attentive, caring. He remembered her health better than she did herself. She hugged him, thanked him, and he fastened the bracelet on her wrist himself.
«Now, don’t take it off. The effect only comes with constant wear. Promise?»
«I promise.»
And she kept her promise. For three months she hadn’t parted with the bracelet for a minute. Even at night, it stayed on her arm.
Victor monitored it. Every morning, seeing her off to work, he kissed her and made sure to check. «Bracelet on? Yes. Good girl. I worry about you so much.»
At first, it seemed touching, then habitual. And now, sitting in the car with a bare wrist, Ada suddenly realized it was strange. Why did he insist so much? Why did he get angry if she forgot to put the bracelet on even once? Why did he never suggest going to the doctor again to check if the device was helping?
She took out her phone and dialed the number of the private clinic where she had her checkup a year ago. The receptionist answered on the third ring.
«Heartland Cardiology Center. How can I help you?»
«Hello, this is Ada Vance. I had a checkup with you a year ago. Can I make an appointment with a cardiologist? Preferably today if there is availability.»
«Let me check. Yes, we have an opening at 4:30. Does that work for you?»
«Perfect, thank you.»
Ada looked at her watch. It was only 11:30. More than four hours remained until the appointment. She didn’t want to go home. Victor probably already knew she had left work early and would be questioning her, calling, and worrying. She wasn’t ready for a conversation yet. She needed time to think.
She started the car and drove toward the waterfront. There was a quiet cafe by the river where she sometimes liked to sit alone with a book or just look at the water.
Parking the car, Ada entered the small space, ordered a peppermint tea, and settled at a table by the window. The river flowed slowly, reflecting the gray April sky. On the opposite bank, the roofs of old houses were visible. Somewhere in the distance, clouds drifted by.
Ada cupped the warm mug in her palms and closed her eyes, letting her thoughts flow freely. When did the deterioration begin? Exactly two weeks after she put on the bracelet. First, just weakness in the mornings, then dizziness and rapid heartbeat.
She had blamed it on work, lack of sleep, and spring vitamin deficiency. Victor supported this version.
You work too much. You need rest.
But when she suggested taking a vacation and going somewhere, he found reasons to postpone the trip. Now isn’t the best time. Let’s do it in the summer or fall.
When she said she wanted to go to the cardiologist again, he talked her out of it. Why waste money? You’re wearing the bracelet. It helps you. Just get some proper rest.
And when she once took the bracelet off, Victor caused almost a scandal.
Do you realize you are risking your health? I didn’t spend that much money for nothing. This is a medical device, not a toy. You must wear it constantly.
Back then, Ada was frightened by his anger and apologized. She thought he was just worried. Now, she was starting to see the picture differently.
Her phone vibrated. A message from Victor.
I finished early. Driving home now. Where are you? How do you feel?
Ada looked at the screen and slowly typed a reply. Decided to take a walk. Need to breathe.
We’ll be there soon. Okay. I am worried. Call when you are driving home. Love you.
She put the phone on the table and sighed. Love you. He said that every day. He took care of her, cooked dinner, asked about her day, and gave gifts. He was the perfect husband. Why, then, was she getting increasingly anxious?
Ada remembered how they met two and a half years ago. She had just started working as the executive assistant, and at one of the corporate events, she was introduced to Victor, a successful sales manager from a partner company.
He was nine years older than her—confident and charming. He courted her beautifully with flowers, restaurants, and compliments. Six months later, he proposed. Ada was happy. It seemed to her that she had found the one person with whom she could build a family.
Victor was reliable and stable. He solved all domestic problems, took on financial questions, and planned their joint future. She felt protected. But gradually, his care began to turn into control.
At first, it was unnoticeable. He asked who she was talking to at work, was interested in where she went after work, and asked her to let him know when she left the office and when she would arrive home. All this was served with a sauce of care.
I just worry. You never know what might happen.
Ada didn’t object. It seemed normal to her that a husband worried about his wife. But over time, the control intensified.
Victor didn’t like it when she stayed late at work. He frowned with displeasure if she planned to meet girlfriends. He got irritated when she spent too much time on her phone.
And then the bracelet appeared, and the episodes followed.
Ada looked at her wrist. Could he really have known that the bracelet was dangerous for her health? No, that’s absurd. He loves her. But if he loves her, why doesn’t he want her to get checked? Why does he insist on wearing the bracelet even though he sees she is getting worse?
The phone vibrated again. A call. Victor.
Ada pressed the green button. «Hello?»
«Ada, where are you?» His voice sounded concerned. «I have been home for half an hour, and you are still not here. You said you would be there soon.»
«I am walking by the waterfront. I need to be alone.»
Pause. Then Victor spoke slowly with notes of irritation. «Alone. You felt sick, and you decided to walk alone. Ada, that is irresponsible. What if you feel sick again? Who will help you?»
«I am already better.»
«Is the bracelet on you?»
She gripped the phone tighter. «No. Why?»
Victor’s voice rose. «Do you want the attack to happen again? Ada, I do not understand what is happening with you. I try to take care of you, and you ignore my requests.»
«Victor, I made an appointment with a cardiologist. Today at 4:30. I want to check if this bracelet is helping me.»
Another pause. Longer this time. When Victor spoke, his tone had changed, becoming softer, almost affectionate.
«Why do you need doctors? You know they only drain money. They will prescribe a bunch of unnecessary tests, assign a wagonload of pills, and what’s the point? The bracelet is a proven remedy. Just put it back on and don’t be nervous. Stress—that is what is harming you.»
«I am going to the doctor anyway,» Ada said firmly.
«Okay.» Victor sighed. «If it makes you calmer. But put the bracelet on for the day, please. For my sake.»
She looked at her blazer pocket where the ill-fated jewelry lay. «No, I want the doctor to see me without it. To compare the condition.»
«Ada,» a threat sounded in his voice. «You aren’t listening to me. This will end badly.»
«What exactly will end badly?» She felt everything inside her tense up.
«Your health!» Victor almost shouted. «Without the bracelet, you will get even worse. I am telling you this as the person who takes care of you.»
Ada closed her eyes. The old doctor’s words echoed in her head: Do not let anyone manage your health.
«Victor, I have to go. See you in the evening.»
She hung up without waiting for an answer and muted her phone. Her hands were shaking. Her heart beat fast, but not like in the morning. This was fear. Fear of what she was beginning to understand.
Her husband wasn’t taking care of her. He was controlling her, and the bracelet was a tool of that control.
Ada finished her cold tea and looked at her watch. Still three hours until the appointment. She took a notebook and pen from her purse, opened a clean page, and began to write. Everything she remembered. All the oddities that previously seemed like trifles.
January: Gave the bracelet. Insisted I wear it constantly.
End of January: First dizzy spell.
February: Attacks became more frequent. Victor talked me out of visiting the doctor.
March: Condition worsened. Victor got angry when I took the bracelet off.
April: Today, old doctor said the bracelet is harmful.
She re-read what she had written and added one more line: Victor knew about my tachycardia. He was with me at the cardiologist’s.
The picture was becoming clearer and more terrifying. The phone vibrated silently on the table. Victor was writing message after message. Ada didn’t read them. She needed to wait for the appointment. She needed to learn the truth.
And then? Then she would decide what to do next.
She got up from the table, paid, and walked outside. The air was fresh, and the sky was beginning to clear. Sunbeams broke through the clouds. Ada walked slowly along the waterfront, feeling that with every step it became easier to breathe. Without the bracelet on her wrist, for the first time in three months, she felt free.
At 3:30, Ada was at the medical center, a modern building of glass and concrete downtown. The lobby smelled of antiseptic and freshly brewed coffee. Behind the reception desk sat the same girl who had booked her on the phone.
«Ada Vance,» she clarified.
«Yes, room 307, third floor. Dr. Mercer is waiting.»
Ada took the elevator up, found the right office, and knocked. Sitting at the desk was a woman in her forties in a white coat, with short hair and an attentive gaze. She picked up Ada’s medical file.
«Hello, Ms. Vance. Come in. Have a seat. What is bothering you?»
Ada sat in the soft chair opposite the doctor and began to tell her everything. She spoke about the bracelet, the attacks, the words of the old doctor, and about how her husband insisted on constantly wearing the jewelry.
Dr. Mercer listened carefully, asking clarifying questions from time to time.
«Show me the bracelet,» she asked.
Ada took it out of her pocket and placed it on the table. The doctor took the item, turned it in her hands, and held it up to the light.
«The magnetic inserts are quite strong judging by the weight. Do you have a history of tachycardia?»
«Yes, diagnosed a year ago.»
«Who recommended you wear this?»
«My husband. He said it would help.»
Dr. Mercer shook her head. «Ms. Vance, with tachycardia, such items can be dangerous. The magnetic field can affect heart rhythm unpredictably. For a healthy person, it might be harmless. But with rhythm disorders, it is strictly contraindicated. We will do an EKG right now, check your condition, and I will give a report.»