When Hayk returned home, he was completely broken. It felt as if a massive weight had been placed on his shoulders, forcing him to bend under its pressure. It would have been easier if Arevik had gotten angry, shouted at him, blamed him for everything — but her restraint threw him completely off balance. He didn't understand what he was feeling or how to approach it. The most terrifying thought for him was that Arevik had no feelings for him — that was why she remained so calm.
But there was one fact he couldn't ignore: sooner or later, they would have to meet and talk. And in that, Hayk saw hope. He promised himself he would do everything not to miss this last chance.
Days passed. Although Hayk couldn't find peace, he understood that if he pressured Arevik, it would only lead to worse consequences. He wanted to fix everything — and so he held himself back.
Anna was completely absorbed in the process concerning Meruzhan and was determined to find a final solution, one that would leave him with no way back. When everything was ready, at her suggestion, Hayk called a large meeting and invited all the shareholders and members of the institution's board.
At first, Hayk discussed routine matters. It seemed as though he didn't want to alarm Meruzhan — he let him relax, let him lose his vigilance.
— And now I want to address the final issue, — Hayk said at the end of the meeting. — I left it for last because it requires a detailed discussion and a decision.
His words drew everyone's attention. All eyes turned to him.
— This concerns the statistics department, I—
— Excuse me, since when do you reserve the right to discuss matters of the statistics department? — Meruzhan interrupted. — We have a clear agreement, if you remember.
— I remember the agreement, — Hayk said, barely holding himself back. — Although this concerns the statistics department, it affects the entire institution.
— What are you talking about? — one of the commission members asked.
— This is about a violation of human rights, — Hayk said, looking directly at Meruzhan.
Meruzhan froze for a moment. He roughly understood what this might be about, but quickly calmed himself, knowing there were no cameras in his department to record what had happened. At this point, it was Hayk's word against his — and if he played it right, the situation could work in his favor.
When Hayk noticed the confidence on Meruzhan's face, a surge of anger trembled inside him. Anna, sensing his state, continued the report in his place.
— We have no video recordings, — Anna said, — but we do have employee reports. The ambulance was called from a work phone, I have the doctor's report, and we found the victim.
With that, Anna handed the documents to the commission members. The confidence on Meruzhan's face faded — unease replaced it. He kept glancing around, trying to read the expressions of those reviewing the reports.
After distributing the documents, Anna had to present the incident verbally. With each word, it felt as if Hayk was being struck in the chest. He tried with all his strength to hold himself back from attacking Meruzhan, but it was becoming unbearable. At one point, he couldn't take it anymore and stood by the window — at least there, no one would see his reddened eyes.
— Did we receive a complaint? — one of the commission members asked.
— No, — Anna replied. — The employee chose to leave it in the past…
— but the others are actively discussing what happened and accusing the institution of violating human rights and allowing those responsible to go unpunished.
— Such conversations disappear quickly, — Meruzhan smirked.
— Such conversations destroy institutions, — one of the members snapped sharply.
— No one will believe a group of brainless employees, — Meruzhan said coldly. — There's no point in continuing this meaningless discussion.
— We are a well-known state organization, — another one interjected. — We are seen as an example of protecting rights.
Hearing the criticism directed at Meruzhan, Hayk began to calm down slightly. If that hadn't happened, he would have already resorted to extreme measures. But everything was unfolding on its own — and pressure began to build on Meruzhan from all sides. He was visibly growing uneasy. No one was listening to him anymore, no one was taking him seriously.
— What do you propose? — one of the committee members asked.
At that moment, Hayk looked at the oldest member of the council — the man who had been there since the very beginning and had founded the institution together with his father and Meruzhan's father. Hayk remained silent, waiting for his decision.
— Since Meruzhan's name has been directly mentioned, the decision is obvious, — he said. — As the son of a founder, you will receive monthly compensation, but you are no longer allowed to remain in the institution.
After these words, Meruzhan looked at his supporters, as if searching for backing — but finding none, he went pale with rage.
— What kind of nonsense is this?! — Meruzhan snapped. — How can a bunch of idiots decide whether I stay or leave?
— Watch what you're saying, — came a voice from the other side.
— Or what? — Meruzhan smirked.
— The question of Meruzhan's continued presence is put to a vote, — one of the shareholders said. — The proposal is to remove him from the institution.
The decision was made quickly — unanimously. Meruzhan was expelled.
Throughout the entire process, Hayk watched him in silence. Meruzhan began shouting, hurling insults at everyone around him. He completely refused to accept the decision. The council also stated that in the future the institution might take legal action against him, and even the promised compensation would be revoked.
As Meruzhan, almost in a daze, continued shouting, his gaze met Hayk's.
He suddenly fell silent.
He looked at Hayk intently — and slowly took a few steps toward him.
— All of this… for her? — he smirked.
Hayk said nothing. He was at his limit.
— Do you think you're better than me? — Meruzhan continued coldly. — Where were you when she was lying at my feet… — and moaning your name?
Hayk lost control. A tremor ran through his body.
In the next second, he snapped — grabbing Meruzhan by the throat and squeezing hard.
Meruzhan kept smiling. There was coldness in his eyes.
— I enjoyed humiliating her, — he said. — And you? What do you feel now… knowing that she suffered because of you?
Hayk's breathing became uneven.
Meruzhan smirked.
— You know what's the most interesting part?
— She wasn't guilty of anything.
— She just… happened to be next to you.
That was it. Hayk couldn't take it anymore. He struck Meruzhan. He fell to the ground. The blow was so strong that he nearly lost consciousness.
Hayk looked at the council members with concern.
The senior shareholder calmly took out his phone.
— Take him away.
Meruzhan was dragged out and driven off.
The meeting was over. Instructions were given to the lawyers, and everyone left.
Hayk remained sitting in his chair.
Meruzhan's words wouldn't leave his mind. Before, he could only imagine what Arevik had gone through — now it felt real. He was overwhelmed with despair.
Anna pulled him out of these thoughts:
— How are you?
— I'm sorry… I couldn't hold back, — Hayk replied.
— Everything went perfectly, — Anna said with a faint smile. — Honestly, I'm surprised you held on that long.
Hayk didn't answer. He only gave Anna a slight smile, but a moment later his expression turned serious again.
— Did she call? — Anna asked, catching the anxiety in his voice.
— No, she didn't, — Hayk replied sharply.
— I know she hasn't been discharged from the hospital yet, — Anna added quietly.
— Do you think she'll call when she gets out? — Hayk asked, with a trace of irony.
— I think she will, — Anna answered.
Hayk said nothing. He tried to smile, but the fear in his eyes was too obvious — the smile couldn't fool anyone.
Anna didn't ask anything else.
She simply gave him a soft smile in return.