Elena’s pov

Something in the way he said it made the older part of me,the part that was watching this memory from inside my own body,feel a sudden, sharp ache under my ribs.

Kolia stood and offered his hand again. After a long moment she took it. He pulled her carefully to her feet and led her deeper into the garden, away from the open path. Their conversation stayed soft. He showed her the different flowers, naming the ones he knew. He pointed out a butterfly resting on a hydrangea bloom. He made a small joke about a bee that had nearly landed on his nose earlier, and young Elena...