“Better, thank you. Stanislav Dmitrievich, I’m sorry for interrupting the meeting. May I take 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: “Don’t let anyone manage your health for you.”
Anna sat in her car, hands on the steering wheel, staring into space. The engine was off. Silence surrounded her, broken only by the distant noise of the avenue. The bracelet lay in her jacket pocket, and she kept catching herself mechanically reaching for her wrist to check if it was there. Habit. Over three months, it had become a reflex—touching the cool metal as if it were a part of her.
Vladimir had gotten her used to it subtly, day by day, repeating, “Don’t forget to wear 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 smelling of the apple pie Anna had baked especially for his return from a business trip. Vladimir pulled a small velvet box from his pocket and handed it to her with a smile:
“Open it.”
Inside, on a white cushion, lay an 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,” Vladimir said, taking her hand. “I’ve been wanting to find something special for a while. You know, after that visit to the cardiologist, I kept worrying. You work so much, you’re stressed, and your heart… I found a specialist who deals with these things. This isn’t just jewelry. The magnetic field helps improve circulation, stabilizes the rhythm. Wear it constantly, and you’ll feel better.”
Anna was touched then. Vladimir had always been 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 will only work with constant wear. Promise?”
“I promise.”
And she kept her promise. For three months, she never parted with the bracelet for a minute. It stayed on her wrist even at night. Vladimir made sure of it. Every morning, as he saw her off to work, he would kiss her and always check.
“Did you put on the bracelet?”
“Yes.”
“Good girl. I worry about you so much.”
At first, it seemed touching. Then, it became routine. And now, sitting in the car with a bare wrist, Anna suddenly realized: it was strange. Why did he insist so much? Why did he get angry if she forgot to wear it even once? Why did he never suggest going to the doctor again to see if the device was helping?
She took out her phone and dialed the number of the private clinic where she had her check-up a year ago. The receptionist answered on the third ring.
“Medical Center ‘Cardiology Plus.’ How can I help you?”
“Hello, this is Anna Kornilova. I had a check-up with you a year ago. Can I make an appointment with a cardiologist? Preferably today, if possible.”
“Let me check… Yes, we have an opening at 4:30 PM. Does that work for you?”
“Perfect. Thank you.”
Anna looked at the clock: it was only half-past eleven. She had more than four hours until her appointment. She didn’t want to go home. Vladimir probably already knew she had left work early and would be asking questions, calling, worrying. And she wasn’t ready for that conversation yet. She needed time to think.
She started the car and drove towards the embankment. There, by the river, was a quiet café where she sometimes liked to sit alone with a book or just watch the water. After parking, Anna entered the small establishment, ordered a mint 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, and clouds drifted somewhere in the distance. Anna wrapped her hands around the warm cup and closed her eyes, letting her thoughts flow freely.
When did her condition start to worsen? Right, about two weeks after she put on the bracelet. At first, just weakness in the mornings, then dizziness, a racing heart. She blamed it on work, lack of sleep, the spring vitamin deficiency. Vladimir supported this theory. “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 is not the best time. Let’s go in the summer. Or fall.”
When she said she wanted to see the cardiologist again, he talked her out of it. “Why waste money? You’re wearing the bracelet, it’s helping you. Just get some proper rest.” And when she once took the bracelet off, Vladimir threw a fit. “Do you understand you’re risking your health? I didn’t spend so much money for nothing. This is a medical device, not a toy. You must wear it constantly.”
Back then, Anna was scared of his anger and apologized. She thought he was just worried. Now, she was starting to see the picture differently.
The phone vibrated. A message from Vladimir.
“I finished early. I’m on my way home now. Where are you? How are you feeling?”
Anna looked at the screen and slowly typed a reply:
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