“All I’ve been waiting for is a moment when you’d stand up to my mother,” Ivan whispered into my ear as he held me in his embrace.

His words sent a rush of confusion and anger through me. I pulled out of the hug hastily, glaring at him, my heart pounding with disbelief. How could he say that now, after everything? I turned to Nora, who stood a few feet away, her arms crossed, staring at me with amusement in her eyes.

“You think this is funny?” I snapped, my voice shaking with emotion.

Nora raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on her lips. “Funny? No, just… interesting. I didn’t...