“I need an explanation, Devandra! Don’t you dare stay silent or start circling around the truth again!” Vania shouted, her breathing ragged, eyes locked on the man in front of her.
Devandra froze for a moment. His eyes revealed exhaustion and deep guilt. He stood in the middle of Vania’s apartment living room, fists clenched at his sides.
“I didn’t lie to you, Vania. But I also haven’t had the chance to be completely honest,” he said slowly.
“So you chose to leave me hanging—drowning in suspicion and pain?” Vania crossed her arms, trying to hold back the tears threatening to fall.
Devandra took a deep breath. “I’ll tell you everything. No filters, no avoiding.”
He walked over to the window, stared out for a second, then turned back to face her.
“After we divorced, I did meet Lyra aga
