I exchanged glances with Brenda, who nodded softly. “I think for now, this is what’s best. Don’t worry, I’ll be fine.”

“I don’t know,” I mumbled, fear gripping my heart as memories of my mother flooded my thoughts. No matter how much I loved Ivan or how much I wanted to be close to him, I couldn’t stop thinking about all the impossibilities in our lives.

Ivan stepped forward and sat next to me, taking my hand gently in his. “I promise you, Vera, I’ll protect you and Kelly with my life. I won’t let anyone or anything harm either of you.”

I looked up into his eyes. The sincerity...