I carefully turned the key and slightly opened the door. The men stepped in almost immediately, without even waiting for an invitation.

— Excuse me… who are you? — I asked, confused.

The one who was taller and broader in the shoulders looked at me coldly.

— We are from the debt collection department of the bank “FinCredit”. Your husband, Alex, has a serious debt to the bank.

That bank was known to everyone. People took loans from there in the most desperate situations because it belonged to a well-known oligarch.

At first I didn’t even understand the meaning of their words.

— What debt? You must be mistaken. Alex has no debts.

The man smirked and handed me a folder with documents.

— The total amount of the loan is almost three million. For the last four months there have been no payments.

My vision darkened. The signature on the papers really did look like Alex’s signature.

— But… I knew nothing about this… — I whispered.

— That doesn’t matter, — he replied calmly. — The apartment is registered in both of your names. If the debt is not paid, the property may be seized.

When they left, I simply slid down the wall to the floor, clutching the papers in my hands. It felt as if the ground had disappeared from beneath my feet.

Lea came out of the room.

— Mom… what happened?

Silently, I handed her the documents. She quickly scanned the lines and turned pale.

— Three million?.. Did Dad really do this?

I couldn’t answer. I only nodded.

But Lea suddenly hugged me tightly.

— Mom, we’ll get through this. I promise.

And at that moment I understood for the first time: even if Alex had disappeared forever, I had to be strong for my daughter.