Page 32 of Vendetta Crown

"Why do you believe that?" Vera asks, her voice gentle yet probing.

My eyes drift to Stella and Sofia, their innocent faces alight with joy as they arrange cookies in perfect patterns. How can I speak about my doubts with them present?

Mikayla, perceptive as always, catches my hesitation.

"Sofia, Stella," she says, rising with practiced grace, "I think Daria might have hidden some ice cream in the kitchen. Want to go find it?"

"Ice cream!" Sofia jumps up, nearly knocking over her teacup. Stella follows eagerly, and Mikayla leads them toward the house with one last knowing glance over her shoulder.

I wait until their small voices fade before letting out a shaky breath.

"For seven years, I've lived with one certainty," I admit, tracing the rim of my cup. "That if I ever let myself love someone—truly love them—Kristofer would find me and hurt them. And look what's happened."

I gesture vaguely toward the mansion. "Ruslan is walking around with bullet wounds. Hannah has a cut on her face. The mansion was attacked. All because Kristofer found me."

"But it wasn't your fault." Hannah says.

"Even if we defeat Kristofer, even if this documentary plan works perfectly... I'm terrified of opening my heart completely. Because I know Kristofer won't be the last. What if next time, I lose Ruslan for good?"

My voice cracks on the last words, the fear that's lived inside me for seven years finally spoken aloud.

Vera reaches across the table and takes my hand. Her touch is surprisingly strong for such delicate fingers.

"You're making one crucial mistake in your assumption," she says firmly. "Ruslan doesn't care about being hurt on your behalf, because he cares so much about you that he's willing to die for you."

Hannah nods emphatically. "Exactly. And I'm not afraid to stand with you because I love you, Aurora. You're my best friend, and that means something to me." She gives a small, fierce smile. "And if you were to ask Ruslan why he's willing to fight for you, I guarantee it's for the same reason."

"Because he loves me?" My voice sounds small, uncertain.

"Yes," Vera says simply. She studies me with those knowing eyes that see too much. "The real question is: do you love Ruslan back to honor his determination to sacrifice himself for you?"

"Yes," I whisper, the word falling from my lips before I can even think about it.

The garden around us seems to still as the truth settles into my bones.

I love him. I love Ruslan Dragunov.

When did it happen? I know it didn't happen in that alleyway when I first crashed into him. It didn't happen when he showed up at my apartment doorway, killing that man to save me.

But did I feel that first inkling of love during our game of truth or dare, when he revealed his vulnerable side to me? Or was it when he held me after Tamara revealed my real identity at our wedding?

I can't pinpoint the exact moment. Love isn't that clean or simple. It grew like a vine, gradually wrapping around my heart until I couldn't separate myself from it anymore.

"I do," I admit, looking between Hannah and Vera. "I love him."

The words feel like freedom after being caged for so long.

"God help me, I love everything about him. His protectiveness, his intelligence, his loyalty to family." I trace the rim of my teacup, searching for the right words. "But what I love most is how he sees me. Not as a damsel in distress who needs to be saved, but someone worth fighting alongside."

That's it. That's the difference between how Kristofer viewed me and how Ruslan does. Kristofer saw me as a possession to control. Ruslan sees me as a partner to cherish.

"He gives me space to be myself," I continue, the realization crystallizing. "He doesn't try to make me into something I'm not. Even when he's being overprotective, it's never about controlling me for his purposes. It's about keeping me safe so I can continue being exactly who I am."

Tears prick at my eyes as I remember how Ruslan listened when I stood up for Mikayla. How he valued my insights about Semyon's involvement. How he encouraged me to stand on my own terms.

"With him, I don't lose myself. I find more of myself." I meet Vera's knowing gaze. "That's worth fighting for, isn't it?"

"That," Vera says with a smile that softens her entire face, "is the only thing worth fighting for."

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