I froze, my hand still on the door handle, heart racing. The words hung in the air, heavy and undeniable. Ivan’s voice, calm but filled with certainty, echoed in the quiet room.

“How… how do you know?” I whispered, my eyes darting in surprise as I clenched the golden-brown purse in my hands. I couldn’t bring myself to look at him, terrified of what I might see in his eyes.

“I’ve known for a while,” he said softly, stepping closer. “It wasn’t hard to figure out, Vera. She looks just like me. I noticed it the first time I saw her, and she has the same energy. But I didn’t...