Third-Person POV
Romanov Estate.
The Porsche rolled through the wrought-iron gates as they swung open.
The mansion loomed like a fortress carved from shadow and stone, every window glowing amber against the bruised sky.
Mikhail killed the engine and rounded the car in three strides.
He opened Nora's door carefully, as though the metal might bruise her further.
She didn't look at him. Her eyes were fixed somewhere far away, glassy with shock and exhaustion.
He slid one arm beneath her knees, the other behind her back, and lifted.
She weighed nothing. Less than nothing.
A broken bird in his arms.
The front doors burst open.
Katarina Romanov ran barefoot across the gravel, silk robe fluttering like a battle flag.
"Andrei!"she shouted over her
