Tamara Andreevna braked sharply. Dispatcher Lena was already hurrying to the car.
“Lena, what happened? We have phone contact, don’t we?”
“Tamara Andreevna, it’s the same call again — about the girl who is losing consciousness.”
Toma raised her eyebrows in surprise.
“Again? But I was at their house just yesterday. The child seemed healthy. I even suggested the parents get a check-up, but the father was absolutely against it. What’s really going on there?”
Lena just shrugged.
“People are different. But you can’t ignore it — especially when it’s a child. And there are no other crews available right now.”
“Alright, I’ll go. Just a minute — I’ll hand over the documents.”
A few minutes later, Tamara was already sitting inside the ambulance, leaning her head back against the seat and closing her eyes. Behind her were twenty years of experience as head of a department in the city’s largest hospital. Colleagues respected her, patients trusted her, and management valued her professionalism.
But at home, everything was different. In her family, she felt not like a person, but like a victim.
Once, her husband Konstantin had captivated her at first sight. He seemed attentive, caring, loving. Their relationship quickly turned into marriage, which over time became a nightmare.
At first, he just took control of the household affairs: managing the budget, handling daily issues. Tamara was even happy — it became easier. Then the criticisms began: about torn clothes, about her manicure, about the hairdresser.
“Tamarochka, why do you need that? Can’t you be neater? Why pay for a haircut when you can do it yourself? A woman should be natural. With long hair and natural color — that’s when you look best.”
Gradually Tamara adapted to his demands: she stopped going to the hairdresser, did her hairstyle at home, learned nail care, tried to dress impeccably so as not to hear another reproach.
One day, she stayed half an hour late after work — just met a friend she hadn’t seen for years. Returning home, she faced his first outburst of rage. He shouted, called her unworthy names, looked at her with strange eyes. Then he apologized, but the fear remained inside.
About six months later, she returned home a little later than usual again. She had almost forgotten that old scene but shivered involuntarily at the apartment entrance, as if sensing something bad.
As soon as she entered, she was hit. Just like that. Without warning. She fell, and Kostya loomed over her, shouting:
“Where were you?! Where did you disappear to?!”
He beat her right in the hallway — first with his hands, then with his feet. She lost consciousness and woke up in bed, where he was doing something far worse than just beating her.
She stayed home for five days. Her face healed, but not her body. Kostya, looking at her, said:
“This is all because you don’t obey. I don’t want to do this, but you ask for it yourself.”
Tamara nodded, agreeing. That’s how fifteen years of silent slavery began. Once, after an especially brutal incident, she lost the baby — a miscarriage. Kostya didn’t even hide his indifference.
But one night, when he was on duty, Tamara gathered her strength and went to the police. The investigator noticed her immediately — the woman was pale, trembling, ready to fall. She started speaking, her voice shaking, but the words were clear. Before losing consciousness, she managed to whisper:
“Just not to our hospital… Please.”
The case caused a wide public outcry. It turned out Kostya had many women; some of them also testified. He was sent for treatment to a psychiatric clinic at his parents’ expense. After discharge, he disappeared — rumors said he went abroad.
Tamara quit the hospital. She couldn’t work anymore among those who knew her pain. She changed jobs — joined the ambulance service. She never regretted it.
“Stepanovich, let’s turn toward the mall,” Tamara Andreevna suddenly said, opening her eyes.
“Did you forget something?” the driver asked.
“Yes, I need to buy something.”
Without hesitation, she got out and quickly headed to the electronics store. Entering, she looked around the showcases and addressed the salesman:
“I need the smallest camera possible, preferably with remote viewing capability.”
Tamara Andreevna entered the familiar apartment, where she was clearly awaited anxiously. The girl’s father sat by the bed, next to him the mother carefully holding the child’s hand. The man nodded reservedly but his eyes showed irritation.
“I don’t understand why you still can’t make a diagnosis?” the man asked, crossing his arms.
Tamara sighed heavily, trying to keep calm.
“Because there are illnesses that cannot be diagnosed without inpatient care and special equipment. We don’t have it in the ambulance. I can only do what is possible during a home visit.”
The man waved irritably.
“I still hope you will figure it out.”
For the first time, he didn’t follow her into the girl’s room, staying at the doorway. But Tamara felt his intense gaze even through the wall.
“Well, Sonechka, hello! Tell me what happened to you,” she gently began, approaching the child.
The girl shrugged:
“Everything was fine, then it got dark in my eyes, and I fell.”
“And how do you feel now?”
“Normal already.”
Tamara Andreevna glanced at the father.
“You must understand: such fainting spells are not accidental. They are a signal from the body. And if you continue to ignore the problem, the consequences can be serious. The child doesn’t complain about anything else, does she?”
The man twitched his cheek.
“No, why would she worry?”
Then the doctor noticed the girl’s mother. The woman stood a little aside, thin, pale, with eyes downcast. Her gaze was empty, as if life was slowly leaving her.
“And why are you silent? As the mother, you understand that an examination is necessary, don’t you? What if it’s something serious?”
“My husband knows better what to do,” the woman answered quietly, not raising her eyes.
Tamara felt a tightening inside. She paused and asked:
“Excuse me, may I have some water?”
The man cast a quick glance at his wife, and she, as if on command, headed to the kitchen. While he watched her movements, Tamara deftly reached for the shelf with toys and inconspicuously placed a miniature camera there. Luckily, the salesman had helped set it all up beforehand.
Later, when calls became less frequent, Tamara opened the app on her phone and began reviewing the recordings. What she saw made her heart tighten. Sonia’s father was beating his wife. The girl was out of the frame at the time, and where she was remained a mystery.
“Oh God…” Tamara whispered, straightening sharply. The driver, noticing her reaction, also looked at the screen and whistled through his teeth.
In the video, the man shouted:
“There’s very little time left, and I won’t need you anymore.”
Tamara didn’t take her eyes off the screen, feeling her own pain return.
“Stepanovich, we have to go! Urgently!”
“Are you sure?” the driver frowned.
“Yes, absolutely. Nobody helped me once, and I endured fifteen years. I know how scary it is to be alone against him.”
Stepanych shook his head but started the engine.
“So that’s how it is — Tamara Andreevna knows how to act decisively too…”
“I’m going out for a couple of hours, maybe a bit longer. Lock the door, don’t let anyone in. If anything happens — it’ll only get worse for everyone.”
The woman looked up at him.
“Anton, just let us go. We won’t bother you. Take your money, just let us go. I feel sorry for my daughter.”
He came closer and grabbed her by the chin.
“No, dear, that doesn’t suit me. I want to manage the money freely, without the constant fear that you might show up somewhere. It’s time for me.”
As soon as he left, Sonia ran into the room. She rushed to her mother and hugged her tightly. They remained sitting on the floor, pressed against each other.
Meanwhile, Tamara was persistently pressing the doorbell. Finally, the door opened slightly. The woman looked out frightened.
“You? But we didn’t call you. Everything is fine with us.”
“Don’t lie to yourself. You’re not fine. My husband beat me too, and I know what fear is. I endured for many years because I saw no way out. But you have a chance — you have a daughter. Take your things — we’ll take you from here. We’ll take you to a safe place, arrange the paperwork, and you’ll get help. Just don’t miss this moment.”
“No, you’re mistaken,” the woman looked around fearfully. “We really are fine.”
“The chance may not come again. Think not about yourself, but about Sonia.”
From the nursery came the voice of a small girl:
“Mommy, let’s leave here, please…”
These words, like a wake-up call, stirred the woman. She nodded, gasping with anxiety.
“I… I’m scared. But I’ll be right back, one minute.”
She dashed deep into the apartment and returned with a small suitcase.
“Please, help us. We have no one but you.”
They quickly left and got into the car. Tamara gave the command:
“Drive us to the station. Quickly.”
“What’s your name?” Tamara Andreevna asked.
“Valeria. The thing is, my father left an inheritance to me and Sonia. And in the will, it’s clearly stated: my husband is not allowed to manage the money. Dad apparently knew who he was dealing with. I never told him anything, but he understood anyway.”
She fell silent, gathering her thoughts, then continued:
“Andrey is waiting. Just waiting. He himself said: he has two options. The first — wait until I start to resist, then they’ll declare me incapacitated. The second — if I don’t hold on and decide on something terrible… In any case, he will become the only parent for Sonia.”
“Is it really that bad?” Tamara couldn’t help asking.
“People are capable of a lot for money. But that’s even good. You can’t call him crazy — he has a motive. So, it’s possible to gather enough evidence to put him behind bars.”
“No, he’ll find a way to get off scot-free. He has money. Your money.”
Valeria looked at her in surprise.
“Yes. You can block access to the bank cards. And then use them yourself to protect yourself and your daughter.”
“I don’t have a phone. Andrey didn’t allow me to use one.”
“And documents?.. Yes, I know, the safe… But I have a phone. Call from mine.”
The woman took the device, held it for a few seconds as if weighing the decision, then confidently dialed the bank number.
Stepanovich turned to Tamara:
“Tamara, my nephew works in the police. Not the top guy, of course, but an influential person. Maybe we should visit him? It’s his day off, he lives alone.”
“Is that possible?”
“Of course. He’s a good guy, really. A cop, but not like the others.”
Half an hour later, they were already standing by the entrance. Kirill met them himself. He turned out to be friendly, attentive, and a good listener. Valeria spoke at length, sobbing, reliving every painful detail. When she finished, the man thoughtfully drummed his fingers on the table:
“Listen, it’s better if you stay here for a few days. We will open a criminal case. Your husband must no longer be near you.”
“Are you serious? Arrest?”
“Exactly. By the way, I remember your family’s case — your father’s death remains a mystery. And now, I think I’m starting to see the whole picture.”
“So, you mean…”
“For now, I don’t want to say anything. I work with facts, not guesses.”
When Tamara left, Sonia was peacefully sleeping on the couch, curled up. Lera looked a little relaxed, as if for the first time in a long while she could breathe freely. Toma knew she was leaving them safe. Her ex-husband would definitely not look for them here.
The next morning was sunny, the air smelled like spring. Tamara walked to work, enjoying the quiet streets. Near the station gates, a familiar voice called out.
“Stop!” Andrey appeared before her. He grabbed her jacket. “Tell me, where are they?! You took them, I know!”
Tamara tried to free herself, but he gripped her throat hard, his eyes wild, hands trembling.
“Go to hell… You’re asking for prison yourself.” She could barely breathe. “You ruined everything… You planned it all so carefully…”
But suddenly they pulled him off her and literally lifted him into the air. A second later, he was rolling on the asphalt, shouting threats:
“You’ll regret this! All of you!”
Next to him stood Kirill and Stepanovich. The policeman was conducting the first interrogation.
The trial began six months later. During that time, Kirill fully immersed himself in the case. Based on Valeria’s testimony, they conducted a search at the house, found important evidence linking Andrey to the death of his father-in-law. Everything fell into place.
Tamara noticed how much Kirill became a support for Valeria and Sonia. They were alive again, real. And after some time, they invited her to their wedding.