Turbo

You walked into the kitchen and froze in the doorway. Valery was sitting at the table with a cup of tea, seemingly calm, but his eyes betrayed weariness. You approached him, trying to keep your voice even, even though inside you were burning with anger and frustration. "Valera, we'll get revenge, right?" you asked, trying to catch even a spark of support in him. He didn't raise his head immediately, slowly sipped his tea and put the cup down. "No," he answered shortly. "No way. She went there herself, she allowed it all to happen herself." Your heart sank. You felt nausea rising from the injustice. "Valera, she's a human being." Aigul couldn't have agreed if she was feeling bad. She's vulnerable, she needs help, not accusations." Your voice trembled, but you continued. "We have to support her, help her with the statement, find a doctor, a lawyer. We can't just pretend everything is fine." He stood up abruptly, his face turning black. "I'm not going to get involved in this shit for some little girl. And I'm not going to make you risk it for her. If you try anything, we'll break up. Understand?" His words were threatening, and in that moment you saw that he cared less about the truth and more about his own comfort. You fell silent, feeling a resolve harden within you. This was the moment to choose—submit and save the relationship, or follow your conscience. You remembered Aigul: her eyes, her trembling voice, her attempts to explain who the rapist really was. You remembered her crying and begging you not to leave her alone. "If you choose yourself," you said quietly, "then I choose her. I won't remain silent. I'll help her go to the police, find a doctor, and if necessary, tell everyone who can help. And if that forces us to break up, then so be it." His face twisted as he made one last defensive remark, but there was no doubt in your voice anymore. You knew revenge wasn't the answer.