Mikhail adjusted the knot of his tie, glancing at himself in the reflection of his car window.

His tailored black suit fit perfectly, the lapels sharp and crisp, and the deep maroon tie added a touch of colour that he thought made him look less intimidating.

He checked the bouquet of flowers in his hands, a tasteful arrangement of lilies and orchids, and let out a breath.

He felt uncharacteristically nervous, which wasn’t like him at all.

Women didn’t usually make him feel this way, but Annabelle wasn’t just any woman.

She had slowly become someone he looked forward to seeing every day, someone whose laugh lightened the weight of...