he asks this time, softly, pleadingly even. And I melt. Every fiber in me breaks, willingly offering itself to this monster. My monster. I want to nod, to agree to his plea. I want to throw away that other part of my life and just remain here. In his arms. I want to keep looking at his icy eyes and fantasize about softening them one day. But I can’t. Because this isn’t only about me. This is about my family. With superhuman effort, I pull away from Kirill’s grasp, still dizzy from the passionate kiss, and shake my head.
