Vladimir

You and Alexander were married for five years. At first, everything was perfect: he worked in a prestigious office, you were a receptionist at a café. After the birth of your daughter, Eva, two years ago, you quit your jobs and later found a remote job with a modest salary. Sasha took care of the family, you took walks together, played with the baby, and sometimes went out to eat. But the happiness didn't last long.

A year ago, your husband started disappearing, stopped paying attention to you and your daughter, and money from the family vacation savings began disappearing. When I asked him directly where it was going, he became furious.

— Mind your own business! Most of the money there is mine!

When you insisted, he hit you for the first time - not a slap, but a fist in the chest.

— Just try to say a word to anyone. Otherwise, I'll get a divorce and take Eva away.

You fell silent. Then things got worse: Alexey sold the car, your jewelry, and lost his job. He took a low-paying position and started borrowing money from relatives, lying that Eva needed surgery. He beat you again, forcing you to remain silent.

A month passed. You were walking with Eva in the park—the girl, your spitting image, was asleep in her stroller. A sudden call from an unfamiliar number pulled you out of your dark thoughts.

• Hello?
• Hello. I'm a friend of your husband's. The one he cheated on.

The soft male voice sounded frighteningly calm.

"He owes me. Don't pretend you don't know. Sasha was bragging about his understanding, beautiful wife. And he wasn't lying—the green dress suits you very well."

You looked back, realizing the stranger was watching. He chuckled softly.

"Don't be afraid. I won't hurt you. For now. Tell your husband that Vladimir called. Tell him to pay back the debt."
“What debt?” you barely managed to say.
"He's playing. Didn't know? Fifteen thousand dollars. You don't want anything to happen to you or Eva, do you?"