"Polina told me that the condition you have right now can be genetic." I pause, watching her face. "But that it’s likely from scar tissue."
Her expression doesn’t change, but she goes completely still.
"Anissa. Is that true?"
She’s silent for a long moment before she whispers, “I don’t want to talk about it.”
I tighten my grip, my fingers pressing into her skin. I’m careful not to hurt her. “You have to.”
“Why?” Her voice is raw. “It’s in the past.”
I lift her hair, twisting gently, just enough to tilt her chin and force her to meet my eyes. Her gaze is wide. Unblinking. But she doesn’t look away. And the raw pain in her eyes makes me vow to kill whoever hurt her.
I’d do anything for her.Anything.
“Because I need to know,” I say, intentionally gentling my voice. I lean in, my lips grazing her ear, my breath hot against her skin. “If there’s someone in your past who hurt you—someone stillbreathing—tell me now.”
My fingers curl tighter. “Because if there is, I’ll make sure they don’t for much longer.”
I let the words sink in.
She swallows, and for the first time, I see it.
Not fear. Not horror.
Hope.
I press on. "Scar tissue comes from two things, Anissa." I pause. "Surgery or injury." I wait. “Did you have surgery?”
She exhales, then shakes her head. “No. But I won’t be the only one spilling secrets, Matvei. I’ll tell you what happened to me”—she tilts her head, studying me—“if you answer a question ofmine."
I nod.
I have nothing to hide.
"I want you to tell me all about the night you had to kill your brother."
Her voice is steady, but her eyes… her eyes hold something deeper.
"I know you want to understand me," she continues, “but I need to understandyou."
I wasn’t expecting that.
Wasn’t expecting that at all.
"Fine." My voice is rough. "I’ll tell you anything."
She tilts her head, considering. "I’ll even go first if you want me to," I add.
She nods. "I’m going to take you up on that."
I draw in a breath.
I’ve never told anybody what happened.
The only people who needed to know… were there with me.
If my parents knew, they would hate me even more than they already do—if that’s even possible.
