Chapter 53

• [IVAN]
• It’s all hazy at first. All I can think about is some woman’s attempt to stab me to death. But the second my vision clears and reality sets in, pushing aside the same damn dream, I realize what I have done.
• With the muzzle of my gun shoved hard against Ana’s stomach, I lift my gaze and find her frozen in fear. Her face has turned ashen, and her chest barely moves. Her eyes grow wider than saucers, and her mouth falls open without a noise. It’s as if words got stuck in her throat, and no matter how much she tries, they refuse to come out.