Chapter 79

• [VLADIMIR]
• The elevator ride is six minutes long, yet these six minutes feel awfully lengthy. I can’t help this feeling of unrest pooling in the pit of my stomach. Deliberately, I’ve been vague with Zarina about the place, purpose and person we are here to meet.
• In my defence, it is better this way. The questions she might have after this meeting will be easier to respond to. Clearer and less exhausting. Above and beyond, I don’t want her to have any prenotion, my feelings about this person should not matter. She should be the only person to decide her fate this time. Life has been dreadfully unfair to her in the past, and the least I can do is to provide her with the freedom to make her own choices. Even though I know how things might end up from here on, I know in my heart that it’s the right thing to do.