— Yes. Your husband is insisting on speaking with the police. He claims that you deliberately pushed him down the stairs.
Evelina felt an icy wave wash over her body.
— That’s not true.
— I’m not drawing conclusions, — the doctor noted dryly. — I’m just informing you. Perhaps you should talk to him.
— Thank you for the warning.
After hanging up, Evelina sat motionless for a while. So, war had been declared. Timur not only supported his mother, but he was also ready to slander his own wife, to paint her as an aggressor. The clock hands showed 7:15 AM. At 10:00 AM, she had a presentation. She needed to pull herself together and show her best side, despite her personal crisis.
Evelina took a shower, carefully styled her hair, and put on a strict business suit. Looking in the mirror, she saw a pale but determined woman. “You can do this,” she told her reflection. Before leaving, she called the hospital and asked to be connected to Timur’s room.
— Yes? — his voice sounded wary.
— It’s me. I was told you want to file a police report.
Silence.
— Timur, you know I didn’t push you; it was an accident.
— My mother has a fractured hip, — he ground out. — And I have a concussion. What the hell kind of accident is that? You lost your balance yourself when you roughly pushed me on the stairs. The doctors say otherwise. The marks on my back indicate a push.
— That’s absurd! — Evelina choked with indignation. — I was holding onto the railing. You saw it!
— I saw you block my path and attack me when I was trying to help my mother.
— Timur, stop. — Her voice became icy. — Think about what you’re doing. Are you willing to lie to the police to please your mother? I was protecting my family!
— And I’m not family?
Silence again.
— You always put your career above family, — he finally said. — Mom is right, you’re an egoist.
Evelina squeezed the phone so hard her knuckles turned white.
— I’m not going to discuss this over the phone. I have to get to work. I’ll call later.
— Don’t bother, — Timur replied coldly. — Mom said you shouldn’t come to the hospital. You’re upsetting us.
With those words, he hung up. Evelina slowly lowered the phone. She was shaking. There was a lump in her throat, but she wouldn’t let herself cry. Not now. First, work. Then, a decision.
The presentation went brilliantly. Evelina spoke clearly, confidently, answered difficult questions from clients, and demonstrated a deep understanding of the market. No one present would have guessed that inside she was shattered into a thousand pieces. After the meeting, Anna Pavlovna, the CEO, approached her.
— Excellent work, Evelina. I wasn’t wrong to support your candidacy.
— Thank you, — Evelina smiled. — I’ll do my best to justify your trust.
— I have no doubt. By the way, you don’t look like someone who was celebrating a promotion yesterday. Is everything alright?
Evelina hesitated for a moment.
— Some minor family issues. Nothing serious.
— If you need help or a day off, just say the word.
— Thank you, but I can handle it.
During her lunch break, Evelina called her friend Stanislav, who worked as a lawyer.
— Stas, I need a consultation. A personal one.
— What happened? — concern was audible in her friend’s voice.
— I think I’m getting a divorce.
— Well, that’s news. What happened?
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