THIRD PERSON POV

Nadia and Draluke sit in the living room, the tension between them palpable. Draluke's face is twisted in regret and frustration.

"I should have told her the truth from the beginning," Draluke says, shaking his head. "I should have been honest with her about her family and her past."

Nadia's expression is calm. "We did what we thought was best, Draluke. We were trying to protect her."

Draluke's eyes flash with anger. "Protect her? By lying to her? By keeping her in the dark about everything? That's not protection, that's manipulation."

Nadia leans forward, her voice soft. "We were trying to help her, Draluke. We were trying...