“What about them?”
“They betrayed you. All of them.” The words come out in a rush, like ripping off a bandage. “Father, Alexei, even Nicolai. They never intended the marriage actually to happen.”
I’m quiet for a long moment, processing this confirmation of what I already suspected. “How long have you known?”
“I’ve suspected for days. Had it confirmed earlier today when I confronted Nicolai.” She looks away, shame and anger warring in her expression. “They were using me to get close to your family’s operations. Planning to... to eliminate you all once they had what they needed.”
“And you?”
“I didn’t know. I swear to you, I didn’t know the full extent of it until it was almost too late.” Her eyes meet mine again,desperate for understanding. “I thought I was protecting both our families. I thought I was preventing a war.”
“Instead, you were being used as a weapon.”
“Yes.”
I should be furious. Should feel betrayed, manipulated, and used. But looking at her face—the genuine anguish there, the way she’s bracing for my anger—I find I’m not surprised at all.
“I know,” I say simply.
“You... what?”
“I know about your family’s plans. About Durov’s arrangement with your father. About the real purpose of our engagement.” At her shocked expression, I add, “I’ve been monitoring the situation for weeks.”
“How?”
“Surveillance equipment. Digital forensics. Old-fashioned detective work.” I smooth wet hair back from her face. “I know you didn’t betray me, Kira. I know you were kept in the dark about most of it.”
“Then why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because I needed to be sure. Because trust is complicated in families like ours. Because...” I sigh. “Because I was falling in love with you, making every decision more difficult.”
“Were?”
“Am. I'm falling in love with you. Have fallen, maybe. The distinction seems less important now.”
She’s quiet for so long I start to worry I’ve said too much, pushed too hard, revealed more than she’s ready to handle. Then she speaks, her voice soft but certain.
“I love you, too. Which is why what my family did... It’s unforgivable.”
“Is it? Because from where I’m standing, their betrayal is about to become irrelevant.”
“What do you mean?”
“They can plan all they want, but those plans assumed you would go along with them. Assumed you would choose family loyalty over personal happiness.” I lean down until our faces are inches apart. “But you chose me instead, didn’t you?”
“Yes.”
“And I choose you. Which means whatever schemes they had, whatever timeline they were working toward—it all becomes meaningless.”
“They won’t give up easily. When they realize we’re serious about each other?—”
“Then it’s a shame they don’t approve,” I interrupt, “because this marriage is happening regardless.”
Her breath catches. “Rafa?—”
“I’m serious, Kira. Whatever games our families have been playing, whatever manipulations they’ve attempted—none of it changes what I want. What we want.”
“And what’s that?”
