I swallow just as Aleksei stirs.
Without thinking, I shove past Katya and hurry to his side. She isn’t who I need to hear from. It’s Aleksei. Only Aleksei.
He loves me. He has to.
My mind scrambles, grasping for solid ground. We’re married. Maybe it didn’t start with love, but it’s here now. I know it is.
I take his hand in both of mine, squeezing as if I can pour all my certainty into him. Katya shifts, trying to climb back onto the bed, and I glare at her.
“Why the hell won’t you listen?”
She scoffs. “When you listen,” she shoots back, shameless as ever.
Aleksei’s mouth works a few times, no sound at first. I think he’s thirsty, then he whispers, “Katya.”
I freeze. My fingers go still around his.
“What… what did you say?” I ask, not because I didn’t hear, but because I don’t bel
