The sun was beginning to set. The light spilled softly through the tall windows, painting the room in shades of gold and rose. Tatiana sat by her vanity, her reflection staring back at her like a stranger. Her eyes were hollow, red from too many tears. Her hands shook as she brushed through her tangled hair.
For a moment, she just sat there, staring at her face. She whispered under her breath, again and again, "I will never let him go. Never. He is mine."
Her voice cracked, trembling with desperation. "He has to see that. He has to."
She stood suddenly, her chair sliding back with a soft sound. She couldn't bear sitting still anymore. Her heart was pounding wildly in her chest. Without even thinking, she rushed out of her room and made her way to Ivan's study.
