“A ‘specialist’ in quotation marks. These devices are all over the internet, sold as medical instruments. Usually, it’s outright charlatanism. Either your husband simply didn’t understand and fell for a scam. Or…” she didn’t finish, but Anna understood. Or he knew what he was doing.
“Thank you,” she breathed out. “I’ll get all the tests done.”
“Good. Here is the referral. We can fit the Holter monitor tomorrow morning. You’ll wear it for 24 hours. We’ll do the echo the day after. And for now, here is my conclusion.”
The doctor handed her a sheet of paper with the clinic’s seal. Anna took it and read:
“Patient Kornilova A. V. Age thirty-one. Diagnosis: sinus tachycardia. The use of magnetic products is strictly contraindicated due to the risk of exacerbating heart rhythm disturbances. Further examination is required.”
She folded the paper and put it in her bag. It was a document. Official confirmation that the bracelet was harming her. Proof.
“Anna Vasilyevna,” Dr. Malakhova looked at her intently. “Forgive the personal question, but who exactly insisted that you wear the bracelet?”
“My husband,” Anna barely whispered the word.
“Did he know 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 have no right to interfere in your personal life. But as a doctor, I must warn you: if someone knowingly gives you something that harms your health, knowing about the contraindications—that is very serious. Perhaps you should consult not only a cardiologist but also a psychologist. Or a lawyer.”
Anna nodded, at a loss for words. She stood up, thanked the doctor, and left the office. The corridor was quiet. Anna sat down on a couch, took out her phone, and turned the sound on.
The screen exploded with notifications. 17 missed calls from Vladimir, 23 messages. She opened the chat and began to read.
“Where are you?”
“Why aren’t you answering?”
“Anna, I’m worried. Call me immediately.”
“This isn’t funny. I’m your husband, I have the right to know where you are.”
“If you’re at the doctor’s, at least text me. I’m going out of my mind.”
“Are you ignoring me? After everything I do for you?”
“Fine. Be silent. But I’ll remember this.”
The last message had been sent 10 minutes ago. Anna exhaled and typed a short reply:
“I was at the cardiologist. I’m on my way home. We need to talk.”
The response was instant:
“Finally. I’m waiting.”
Anna put her phone away and left the clinic. She knew a conversation she dreaded was about to happen. But she couldn’t put it off any longer. There were too many questions, and she had a right to answers.
She arrived home, went up to the fifth floor, and opened the door with her key. The apartment smelled of fried onions and garlic. Vladimir was cooking dinner, just as he had promised. She took off her shoes, walked into the living room, and saw him in the kitchen. He was standing at the stove, stirring something in a pan, and turned around when he heard her footsteps. He finally smiled, but the smile was strained.
“I was starting to think you weren’t coming back at all.”
“Why wouldn’t I come back?” Anna remained standing in the kitchen doorway.
Vladimir shrugged.
“You’ve just been acting so strangely today. Not answering calls, ignoring messages. As if I’m a stranger to you.”
“Vladimir, we need to have a serious talk.”
He turned off the stove and faced her.
“I’m listening.”
Anna took the medical report from her bag and handed it to him.
“Read this.”
Vladimir took the paper, skimmed the text, and his expression slowly changed. First surprise, then irritation, then something resembling anger.
“What is this nonsense?” He threw the paper on the table. “Some doctor decided the bracelet is harmful. On what grounds?”
“On the grounds that I have tachycardia, and magnetic products are contraindicated with this diagnosis,” Anna replied firmly. “You knew that.”
“I didn’t know anything!” Vladimir raised his voice. “I bought you an expensive gift to help, and you’re interrogating me.”
“You were with me at the cardiologist a year ago. You heard the diagnosis. You knew.”
Vladimir spun around and slammed his fist on the table.
“What do you think you’re doing? Are you accusing me of trying to harm you? I am your husband. I take care of you!”
“Care isn’t forcing me to wear something that’s destroying my health.”
“It’s not destroying it. These doctors don’t know what they’re talking about. I’ve read studies, articles. Magnetotherapy helps.”
“It’s contraindicated for tachycardia,” Anna 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?”
Vladimir stepped towards her, his face contorted.
“Because you don’t know how to take care of yourself! Because you can’t manage without me. You work yourself to the bone, you don’t watch your health, you forget to eat. I’m trying to control you because you’re not capable of it yourself…”
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