Viktor

The silence was deafening.

Scarlett’s hand tightened in mine. I could feel her tension radiating through her grip. My heart hammered against my ribs. Of all the moments for them to show up unannounced…

“Viktor?” my mother finally spoke, her voice laced with disbelief. She looked between us, then at our joined hands. “What… what is going on here?”

My father’s gaze was sharper, flicking from Scarlett to me. “Is this the neighbor you mentioned?”

I swallowed hard, trying to keep my voice steady. “Yes. This is Scarlett. My… girlfriend.”

The word felt both terrifying and right on my tongue. Scarlett’s fingers twitched in mine, but she didn’t pull...