Vera! — she heard her husband’s voice from the hallway. The door cracked under a heavy blow. Vera flinched, huddled in the corner of the kitchen. The clock showed two in the morning. Stepan had returned earlier than usual.
Verka! — a drunken roar echoed again from the hallway. — Where are you, leech? The sound of a falling coat rack made her heart stop. She tried to stand, but her legs wouldn’t obey. After the last time he broke her rib, fear had deeply ingrained under her skin.
I… I’m here, — she barely responded. Stepan barged into the kitchen, leaning on the doorframe. He reeked of alcohol and cigarettes.
Where’s dinner? — he growled.
On the stove, I’ll heat it up…
It’s cold?! — his eyes bloodshot. — I work like a damn dog, and you can’t even serve dinner properly?!
Stepa, I…
A plate with unfinished soup flew into the wall, splattering the wallpaper with greasy spots.
Step, please, — Vera backed towards the window. — Why don’t you sleep, and I’ll clean up…
Sleep?! — he grabbed her by the hair. — You’re going to tell me what to do?!
The first hit struck her cheek. Vera tasted the salty flavor of blood in her mouth.
Help! — she screamed, for the first time in years deciding to call for help.
Shut up! — Stepan pushed her onto the floor.
There was a knock at the door. Quiet, hesitant.
Stepan Mikhailovich? — the voice of a neighbor from behind the front door. — Is everything alright?
All is well, Anna Petrovna! — he suddenly responded with a sober voice. — The TV was too loud, sorry!
Ah, okay…
The steps behind the door faded away. Vera felt as if her last hope was slipping through her fingers.
Suddenly, her phone in the robe pocket vibrated. A new message from Tanya, her childhood friend: «I’ve arranged everything. An apartment and a job are waiting. Come.»
Stepan swung again, but at that moment, something clicked in Vera’s head. She grabbed his arm and for the first time in two years looked him straight in the eyes:
Hit me. Go ahead. For the last time.
What?! — he was stunned.
For the last time, — she repeated, feeling something new and unfamiliar growing inside her. — Because you won’t see me again.
Yeah, right… — Stepan laughed. — You won’t go anywhere! Where will you go? To your mom? Who herself says a woman deserves to be beaten? Or to my mother, who can’t stand you?
Vera slowly stood up, leaning against the wall. Blood was still in her mouth, but the fear was gone. Completely.
No, Stepa. I’m just leaving. And you won’t find me.
Yeah, right… — he swung again.
The doorbell rang, freezing them both.
Police! Open up!
You called them?! — Stepan hissed. — You called the cops?!
No, — Vera shook her head. — Apparently, the neighbors aren’t as deaf as they’d like to seem.
This was the point of no return. Vera realized this by his gaze — wild, almost insane. But for the first time in many years, she was not afraid of that look.
Everything changed. Forever.
A week after that night, Stepan was taken to the police station but was quickly released — «for lack of evidence.» Vera silently gathered documents and prepared to flee.
The doorbell rang as she was packing her last things into a suitcase.
Vera! Open up immediately! — her mother’s voice cut through the morning silence.
The lock clicked. On the doorstep stood her mother and mother-in-law. Both with tightly pursed lips and judgmental gazes.
What are you thinking? — her mother pushed into the apartment. — People are calling, saying you’re leaving Stepa?
Yes, Mom. I am.
Have you lost your mind?! — interjected her mother-in-law. — My Stepychka does everything for you! A home, wealth…
And bruises. Don’t forget about the bruises, Nina Vasilyevna.
What do you understand! — her mother flailed her arms. — A man is a man. So what, he drinks sometimes…
Sometimes?! — Vera felt rage boiling inside her. — Every goddamn day he comes home drunk! Every! And he beats me! Look here! — she rolled up her sleeve, showing fresh bruises.
And he does right! — cut off her mother-in-law. — Means you deserved it! I was scared to say a word across to my late Mikhail!
And I also endured, — chimed in her mother. — And what are you doing? You’re shaming us!
Vera slowly sat down. It didn’t fit in her head: her own people, those who should protect and support her, were ready to send her back to hell.
I’ve decided everything, — she said quietly. — I’m leaving today.
You’re going nowhere! — her mother grabbed the suitcase. — I’m calling Stepa right now…
Just try! — Vera snatched the phone from her hand. — Enough! I’ve seen enough of your silent consent! For two years he turned my life into a nightmare, and you pretended everything was normal!
How dare you… — began her mother-in-law.
I dare! — Vera felt tears streaming down her cheeks. — You saw everything! When he broke my arm — you kept quiet! When I was in the hospital with a concussion — you insisted it was my fault! When the neighbors called the police — you persuaded them to retract the statement!
Because a family needs to be preserved! — yelled her mother.
What family?! This is not a family — it’s torture! And I don’t want to live like this anymore!
In the doorway appeared Tanya, her childhood friend.
Vera, the taxi is downstairs.
You?! — her mother turned to Tanya. — Did you persuade her?!
No, Aunt Lyuda. I just helped her escape.
While Vera’s mother yelled at her daughter’s friend, her mother-in-law grabbed Vera by the forearm and said:
Traitor! I’ll call Stepa right now!
Call him, go ahead, — Vera grabbed the suitcase. — Just keep in mind: if something happens to me — a video recording of everything your son did to me will go to the police! I’ve been collecting them for a year. And witness testimonies. And medical reports.
Dead silence hung in the hallway.
You… you’re threatening us? — whispered her mother.
No, Mom. I just don’t want to be a victim anymore. Goodbye.
Vera walked out of the apartment, feeling easier to breathe with each step. Behind her were her mother’s screams and her mother-in-law’s curses. Ahead was a new life.
Tanya squeezed her hand tightly:
Everything will be alright.
I know, — Vera nodded. — Now I know.
The new city greeted Vera with a chilly November rain. A rented apartment in a residential area, a job as an accountant at a small firm — everything felt so unfamiliar after two years of home confinement.
A phone call broke the evening silence.
Vera, he’s looking for you, — Tanya’s voice trembled. — Stepya beat your mother, demanding she tell the address.
Her heart skipped a beat.
Is she… Is she alright?
In the hospital. But she didn’t give out the address.
Vera sat on the bed, feeling her hands shake. The intercom suddenly crackled, making her flinch.
Vera Nikolayevna? — an unfamiliar male voice. — Open up, police.
At the door stood two: a young detective in plain clothes and a female investigator.
Come in, — Vera mechanically straightened her home T-shirt.
Captain Sokolov, — introduced the man. — Senior Investigator Irina Pavlovna. We have a problem, Vera Nikolayevna.
Your husband filed a complaint, — the investigator pulled out a folder. — He accuses you of stealing money and valuables.
What?! — Vera felt nausea rising to her throat.
Three hundred thousand rubles and his mother’s family jewels.
That’s nonsense! I didn’t take anything!
We have testimonies from your mother and mother-in-law…
They’re lying! — Vera jumped up. — They’re just helping him! He forced them!
The investigator looked at her attentively:
Why did you run away from your husband?
Because he beat me. For years. Look here! — Vera turned on the laptop. — Here’s video, medical reports, everything!
Sokolov whistled, looking at the screen:
Wow… Why didn’t you file a complaint?
I was scared. And… ashamed.
I understand, — nodded the investigator. — But now the situation is complicated. He filed the complaint first.
The doorbell rang again. A local officer stood at the threshold:
Vera Nikolayevna? Your neighbors have complaints. They’re complaining about noise.
What noise?! I’ve been at work all day!
Nonetheless, there’s a collective complaint already in the district administration.
The phone rang again. Tanya:
Vera, he fired you! Stepan came to the office, made a scene, showed the theft documents… The director said he couldn’t risk the firm’s reputation.
Vera felt the floor disappearing under her feet. He had thought everything through. Methodically, step by step, he cornered her.
I won’t return, — she stated firmly. — I’d rather go to prison than go back to him.
Listen, — the investigator sat next to her. — You have evidence of violence. File a counter-complaint.
What’s the use? They took him in before, and what? Released him the next day!
Now it’ll be different, — Sokolov put a business card on the table. — We’ll help. But you’ll have to fight.
I’m tired of fighting, — Vera whispered. — I just wanted to start a new life…
New life doesn’t start like that, — the investigator shook her head. — You need to close old doors. Forever.
At that moment, the doorbell rang again. Vera felt cold: Stepan stood at the doorstep. With a bouquet of flowers and that same smile that charmed her three years ago.
Darling, there you are! I was so worried…
Time seemed to stop. Stepan stood in the doorway, exuding feigned friendliness, but Vera saw how his fingers trembled, clutching the bouquet — a sure sign of barely contained rage.
What a meeting! — Sokolov stepped forward. — Stepan Mikhailovich, come in. We’re just discussing your complaint.
Stepan froze, only now noticing the policemen.
And who are you?
Those who will end this circus, — the investigator cut off. — Take a seat.
A circus? — Stepan threw the flowers on the floor. — This leech robbed me! Stole my mother’s money!
Don’t you dare! — Vera raised her voice at him for the first time in years. — Stop lying!
Shut up! — he lunged at her, but Sokolov blocked his way.
Easy-easy. Let’s calm down…
Get lost! — Stepan pushed the captain and grabbed the laptop from the table. — What’s this? Oh, gathering dirt?
The screen shattered against the wall.
Stepan Mikhailovich, — the investigator’s voice turned icy. — You just assaulted a police officer and destroyed evidence. Article three hundred eighteen, by the way.
I don’t care! — he turned to Vera. — Thought you could run away? Thought I’d let you destroy our family?!
Family?! — Vera laughed hysterically. — You call this a family? Beatings, humiliations, fear?
I loved you! Did everything for you!
You broke two of my ribs on our anniversary! Because I forgot to buy your favorite beer!
Should have obeyed your husband!
He lunged at her again, but Sokolov caught his arm. A scuffle ensued.
Let go! — Stepan writhed like a snake. — I’ll bury her! Bury you all!
Irina Pavlovna, — Sokolov gritted through his teeth, holding the struggling Stepan. — Call the team.
Already on it.
Two riot police appeared in the doorway.
You’ll all dance to my tune! — Stepan yelled as they twisted his arms. — I have connections! Money! You’ll all die!
And threats of murder, — the investigator noted calmly. — Wonderful.
Stepan was led away. From his pocket fell a phone, the screen lit up with an open chat.
Vera picked up the handset, shaking:
God…
What is it? — Sokolov looked at the screen.
A chat with local thugs. Stepan had ordered to «teach» the runaway a lesson. With particular cruelty.
What a scoundrel, — the captain swore. — Irina Pavlovna, this is your area now. Attempted assassination.
I think now he’ll sit for a long time, — nodded the investigator. — Vera Nikolayevna, we need your statement. About everything: beatings, threats, attempt to organize an attack…
And my statement? — Vera asked dully. — About the theft?
Don’t worry. Your mother has already withdrawn her testimony. Admitted she slandered you under pressure. And your mother-in-law will soon tell everything — we have methods.
The doorbell rang again. Tanya:
Vera! I dropped everything, rushed here… Lord, what happened here?!
It’s over, Tanya, — Vera hugged her friend, feeling tears streaming down her cheeks. — It’s finally over.
Sokolov placed his hand on her shoulder:
Now everything will be alright. I promise.
Outside, dawn was breaking. A new day. A new life. A real one.
The courthouse seemed like an impregnable fortress. Vera held Tanya’s hand, trying to quell the tremor. Three months of preparation, gathering evidence, sleepless nights — all for this day.
Ready? — Sokolov met them at the entrance.
No. But there’s no choice.
In the courthouse corridor, she ran into her mother-in-law. The elderly woman, once formidable and authoritative, now looked aged and lost.
Verochka… — she began.
Don’t, — Vera cut her off. — You saw everything. Knew everything. And kept silent.
I’m a mother! He’s my only son!
And I was like a daughter to you! Remember? «Daughter, endure, he’ll improve»… I endured for two years!
Her mother-in-law burst into tears:
Forgive me! I should have…
Too late. Enough.
In the courtroom, Stepan sat in handcuffs, next to two guards. Thinner, gaunter, but the gaze was the same — spiky, hateful.
Court is in session! — a voice commanded.
The hearing lasted several hours. Testimonies of witnesses, medical conclusions, videos of beatings that Vera secretly recorded on her phone.
It’s a setup! — Stepan yelled. — She orchestrated everything!
Silence! — the judge banged the gavel. — One more outburst, and you’ll be removed from the hall.
The testimony of Vera’s mother moved even the seasoned bailiffs to tears.
I found her unconscious… Blood on the floor… And he said: «It’s her own fault». And I… I kept quiet. I was scared for my daughter.
Traitor! — Stepan roared. — I’ll still get you! Hear me?! I’ll get you!
Defendant! — the judge barked. — Stop immediately!
Go to hell, all of you!
Stepan jumped up, knocking over the bench. The guards barely managed to catch him.
You’re mine! — he yelled at Vera. — Only death will part us! Understand?!
He was removed from the hall. The hearing continued without him.
After three hours of deliberation, the judge returned with the verdict.
Stand up! By the name of the Russian Federation…
Twelve years of strict regime. For domestic violence, organizing an assassination, resisting arrest.
It’s a victory, — whispered Irina Pavlovna. — Now you’re safe.
In the corridor, Vera’s mother-in-law caught up with her:
Verochka, maybe… maybe you’ll forgive him? He’ll break down there…
Like he broke me? — Vera asked quietly. — Year after year? And you watched and kept silent.
I…
No. Never again. Goodbye.
Outside the courthouse, Vera’s mother waited, still in bandages after the beating.
Daughter…
Mom, — Vera hugged her. — Let’s go home.
Where?
To my place. Enough hiding. Now we’re free.
Tanya waited for them in the car:
So, friend, new life?
Yes. Just… a bit scary.
Don’t be afraid, — Sokolov handed her a business card. — If anything — call. Anytime.
Thank you. For everything.
The car moved. In the rearview mirror, the courthouse — and her past life along with it — faded away.
You know, — said her mother, — I’m so proud of you. You’re strong.
We’re all strong, Mom. We just sometimes forget about it.
Ahead stretched a road, bathed in spring sunlight. A new path. Without fear. Without pain. Without him. Forever…
