We sat in the car for a while, the silence thick between us. I leaned back in my seat, my mind racing with thoughts of what to do next. I couldn’t step out into the world without people noticing, without cameras flashing or videos being taken. Starting over or returning to Canada seemed impossible now.
“Looking for Ivan feels impossible,” I said softly, frustration seeping into my voice. “I don’t even know where to begin. I can only hope he comes back to me.”
Brenda gave me a reassuring smile, her voice steady. “He will, V. I believe he will.”
She always tried to find the light in the darkest situations, even when I couldn’t see any hope. But this time, everything felt overwhelming, and my mind was too clouded to think straight.
Brenda started the car, pulling away from the hospital. T
