Chapter 40 Fifty Steps Closer

• I froze, my hand still on the door handle, heart racing. The words hung in the air, heavy and undeniable. Ivan’s voice, calm but filled with certainty, echoed in the quiet room.
• “How… how do you know?” I whispered, my eyes darting in surprise as I clenched the golden-brown purse in my hands. I couldn’t bring myself to look at him, terrified of what I might see in his eyes.
• “I’ve known for a while,” he said softly, stepping closer. “It wasn’t hard to figure out, Vera. She looks just like me. I noticed it the first time I saw her, and she has the same energy. But I didn’t say anything because I thought I was wrong. I figured you must’ve been married by now. But after some digging, I realized you were single.”