“God, please help the one who’s suffering right now! God, I beg you—save them! Lord, hear my prayers and protect them from death! Whoever needs you, reach out your hand—save them!”

Tears streamed down her face, and she had no idea why. She just felt horrible.

Robert had also been beaten—but not to death. The men who’d done it were professionals. They had used batons, bruising him badly but breaking nothing. Then they warned him: if he ever tried to find Victoria, or even mentioned her, he wouldn’t live to regret it. He promised that as of that moment, she was dead to him. And they let him go.

On Monday, he didn’t show up for work. He sent a message to Olga Nikolaevna’s phone, apologizing and explaining that he was very ill and wouldn’t be able to come to the office that week. She called him immediately—and so did her daughter. He hadn’t wanted to talk but had no choice. He said he’d been in an accident. Nothing serious—just needed rest.

Naturally, within the hour, Lana was at his door. So that’s why I felt so awful, she thought. The man I love was in an accident. When he opened the door to the apartment he was renting, Lana couldn’t hold back. She threw her arms around him and said:

“Thank God you’re alive!”

“Easy, easy…” he murmured, gently pulling away.

“How did it happen?” she asked with concern, kicking off her shoes—though he hadn’t invited her in. She went straight to the kitchen to drop off the bags of food she’d brought.

He stood there, head slightly tilted, watching her with a heavy heart. Why couldn’t she just leave him alone?

But seeing that she wasn’t going anywhere, he closed the door and dragged himself back to the couch. He lay down, covering his eyes with the back of his hand, pretending to sleep.

“Did you get hit crossing the street?” she pressed, knowing he didn’t own a car.

She knelt down beside him and gently touched his bruised cheek.

“Oh my God, you need to go to the hospital. You’re just lying here. Are you sure you don’t have any broken bones?”

“I’ll be fine,” he muttered without turning. “I just need rest.”

“Of course,” she said softly, gazing at him with loving eyes.

He cursed everything—for sending that message. He should’ve said he left town! When would she go already?!

“I brought cutlets and soup. You should eat, okay? There’s also salad, fruit, cheese, and juice.”

“You didn’t have to,” he sighed. “Thanks. Lana, if you don’t mind, I’d like to get some sleep.”

“Yeah, yeah, sorry,” she said, standing up. She hesitated for a moment, then added, “If you need anything, anything at all, call me. Day or night, okay?”

“I will. Please shut the door behind you,” he replied, making it clear she shouldn’t linger.

Lana quietly left. Half a minute later, Robert got up and went into the kitchen. He threw all the food she brought into the trash. Suddenly, everything infuriated him. He started smashing things—teapots, cups, plates, glasses—everything went flying against the wall, to the floor, into furniture. He roared like an animal. His eyes filled with rage, and the world around him blurred. The pain was unbearable. He sank to the floor and grabbed his head with both hands.

Her face—her smile—so beautiful, with diamonds around her neck—it wouldn’t leave his mind. And then he howled like a wild beast, cornered and broken. Someone was stroking her cheek. So gently, with a smile and love in their eyes. A woman—like a mother—though it wasn’t her mother’s face. Still, Victoria felt in her soul that this woman was family.

“Mama…” she whispered barely audibly.