Ada nodded, feeling a cold certainty growing inside. Victor knew. He couldn’t not know.
The electrocardiograph hummed quietly, spitting out a long strip with jagged lines. Ada lay on the couch, staring at the white ceiling, trying to breathe evenly. The cold sensors on her chest felt heavy, like anchors holding her in place.
Dr. Mercer leaned over the machine, studying the readings, and her face gradually became more serious. «You can get dressed,» she said finally.
Ada sat up, removed the sensors, and pulled on her blouse. Her hands were still slightly shaking—not from weakness, but from internal tension. She was afraid to hear the diagnosis, yet simultaneously craved the truth.
Dr. Mercer returned to the desk, placed the EKG printout in front of her, and studied it silently for a few seconds. Then she looked up.
«Ms. Vance, right now your rhythm is within normal limits. Mild tachycardia is present, but it is controlled. Tell me, how long have you not been wearing the bracelet since this morning?»
«About five hours, maybe.»
«And how do you feel?»
Ada thought. The dizziness had passed back at the waterfront. The chest pressure was gone. She felt tired, but it was a normal tiredness, not the exhausting weakness of recent weeks.
«Better,» she admitted. «Much better.»
The doctor nodded. «I thought so. You see, magnetic bracelets are often sold as ‘wellness’ devices, but their effectiveness isn’t scientifically proven for many conditions. More importantly, in certain cases, they can cause harm. You have tachycardia—a tendency toward a rapid heartbeat. A strong magnetic field can provoke additional rhythm disturbances, cause dizziness, weakness, and shortness of breath—everything you described.»
«So the bracelet is contraindicated for me?» Ada’s voice sounded quiet.
«Absolutely. Moreover, I recommend you never wear such things again. I will give you a referral for additional tests: a 24-hour Holter monitor and an echocardiogram. We need to check if prolonged wearing of the bracelet caused any serious damage.»
Ada felt everything go cold inside. Serious damage. For three months, she had worn something that was slowly destroying her health, and Victor knew about it. He couldn’t not know.
«Doctor,» she frowned. «Who could have recommended such a bracelet?»
«My husband said he bought it from a specialist,» Ada recalled.
Dr. Mercer thought for a moment. «A ‘specialist’ in quotation marks, perhaps. The Internet is full of such items sold as miracle cures. Usually, it is outright quackery. Either your husband simply did not look into it and fell for a scam, or…»
She didn’t finish, but Ada understood. Or he knew what he was doing.
«Thank you,» she exhaled. «I will undergo all the examinations.»
«Good. Here is the referral. We can put the Holter on tomorrow morning. You will wear it for 24 hours. We will do the echo the day after tomorrow. And for now, here is your report.»
The doctor handed her a sheet of paper with the clinic’s stamp. Ada took it and read: Patient: Vance A., age 31. Diagnosis: sinus tachycardia. Wearing magnetic items is strictly contraindicated due to the risk of exacerbating heart rhythm disorders. Additional examination required.
She folded the paper and put it in her purse. It was a document. Official confirmation that the bracelet was harming her. Proof.
«Ms. Vance.» Dr. Mercer looked at her intently. «Forgive the personal question, but who exactly insisted on wearing the bracelet?»
«My husband.» Ada barely audibly pronounced the word.
«He knew about your diagnosis?»
«Yes, he was with me at the appointment a year ago.»
The doctor was silent for a few seconds, then said quietly, «You understand, I do not have the right to interfere in your personal life, but as a doctor, I am obliged to warn you. If someone consciously gives you something that harms your health, knowing about the contraindications, this is very serious. Perhaps you should consult not only a cardiologist, but also a psychologist or a lawyer.»
Ada nodded, finding no words. She stood up, thanked the doctor, and left the office.
It was quiet in the corridor. Ada sat on a bench, took out her phone, and turned on the sound. The screen exploded with notifications: 17 missed calls from Victor, 23 messages.
She opened the chat and began to read.
Where are you?
Why aren’t you answering, Ada?
I am worried. Call immediately.
This isn’t serious. I am your husband. I have a right to know where you are.
If you are at the doctor’s, at least write. I am going crazy.
Are you ignoring me? After everything I do for you?
Fine, be silent, but I will remember this.
The last message was sent 10 minutes ago. Ada exhaled and typed a short reply. Was at the cardiologist, driving home. We need to talk.
The answer came instantly. Finally. I am waiting.
Ada put the phone away and walked out of the clinic. She knew that the conversation she feared was about to happen, but she couldn’t postpone it any longer. Too many questions remained, and she had a right to answers.
She reached home, went up to the fifth floor, and opened the door with her key. The apartment smelled of fried onions and garlic. Victor was making dinner, just as he promised. She took off her shoes, walked into the living room, and saw him in the kitchen.
He stood by the stove, stirring something in a skillet, and turned around hearing her steps. Finally, he smiled, but the smile came out strained.
«I thought you were not coming back at all.»
«Why shouldn’t I have come back?» Ada remained standing in the kitchen doorway.
Victor shrugged. «You are just acting so strange today. Not answering calls, ignoring messages, like I am a stranger to you.»
«Victor, we need to have a serious talk.»
He turned off the stove and turned to her. «I am listening.»
Ada took the medical report from her purse and handed it to him. «Read it.»
Victor took the sheet, his eyes scanning the text, and his face slowly changed. First surprise, then irritation, then something resembling anger.
«What is this nonsense?» He threw the paper on the table. «Some female doctor decided the bracelet is harmful? On what grounds?»
«On the grounds that I have tachycardia, and magnetic items are contraindicated with this diagnosis,» Ada answered firmly. «You knew that?»
«I didn’t know anything,» Victor raised his voice. «I bought you an expensive gift to help, and you are interrogating me.»
«You were with me at the cardiologist’s a year ago. You heard the diagnosis? You knew?»
Victor spun around sharply and slammed his fist on the table. «What do you think you are doing? You are accusing me of wanting to harm you? I am your husband. I take care of you.»
«Care is not forcing me to wear something that destroys my health.»
«It doesn’t destroy it! Doctors don’t understand. I read research articles. Magnet therapy helps.»
«With tachycardia, it is contraindicated,» Ada felt anger boiling inside her. «And you know it. Why did you insist? Why did you get angry when I took the bracelet off? Why did you talk me out of seeing doctors?»
Victor stepped toward her. His face contorted. «Because you don’t know how to take care of yourself! Because without me, you won’t cope. You work yourself to exhaustion. Don’t watch your health. Forget to eat. I try to control you because you are incapable of it yourself.»
«Control?» Ada felt the word cut her ears. «You want to control me?»
«Yes!» Victor shouted. «And there is nothing wrong with that. I am your husband. I know better what you need.»
«You don’t know,» she raised her voice too. «You are not a doctor. You just want me to be weak and dependent on you.»
Victor fell silent. His breathing was heavy, his hands clenched into fists. Then he exhaled and spoke quieter, almost affectionately. «Ada, are you tired? You are nervous. Let’s eat. We’ll rest, and everything will be fine. I don’t want to fight with you.»
«I’m not tired.» Ada shook her head. «I just finally understood. You don’t care about me. You control me. The bracelet is just a tool. You wanted me to feel sick so I would be afraid and depend on you.»
«That is delirium,» Victor turned away. «You think too much. Doctors hammered all kinds of nonsense into your head.»
Ada took the bracelet from her pocket and placed it on the table. «I will not wear this anymore. I will not listen to your orders. My health is my responsibility.»
Victor whipped around, grabbed the bracelet, and clenched it in his hand. «You will regret this. Without me, you are lost. Who will help you when you get sick? Who will take care of you?»
«I will take care of myself.» Her voice trembled, but she held her ground. «And if I need help, I will turn to doctors. To real doctors. Not to a husband who slips me dangerous things.»
Victor stepped toward her, looming over her. «You are ungrateful. I did so much for you. Married you. Provide for you. Take care of you. And you treat me like this?»
Ada stepped back. «Care is not control. Love is not manipulation. You have no right to manage my health.»
«I do!» Victor barked.
«I am your wife. For now,» Ada said quietly.
A heavy silence hung in the air. Victor looked at her, and in his eyes, she saw something new. Not anger. Not irritation. Fear. Fear of losing control.
«What are you trying to say?» he said slowly.
«I want to say that I need time to think. I need to be alone.»
«Where do you think you are going?» Victor’s voice became harsh.
«To a friend’s. For a few days. I need to sort out my feelings.» She turned and walked to the bedroom.
Victor followed on her heels. «You aren’t going anywhere. We will sort it out right now.»
Ada took a gym bag from the closet and started packing things—a few changes of underwear, jeans, a sweater, a toiletry bag. Her hands were shaking, but she forced herself to move.
Victor stood in the doorway, blocking the exit. «Ada, stop it! You aren’t going anywhere!»
«Move!» She looked at him.
«No!»
«Victor, I said move!»
He didn’t budge. Ada felt everything inside her clench with fear, but forced herself to take a step forward. Victor grabbed her arm.
«You will stay here. We will talk normally.»
«Let me go.» Her voice sounded quiet but firm.
«No.»
Ada yanked her arm away sharply, pushed him in the chest, and ran out of the bedroom. She grabbed the large bag and her purse with documents and car keys, and bolted for the exit.