Viktoria felt Nathan's heart beating fast. He held her tight, like he never wanted to let go. She could feel his breath on her skin, and it made her feel warm inside. For a moment, she forgot she was supposed to be a stranger from far away. In this dark room, with his arms around her, she felt like she finally belonged.
Nathan moved back a little bit. He reached up and touched her face with his hands. His skin was a bit rough, but he was very gentle. He looked into her eyes for a long time. It looked like he was searching for something he had lost a long time ago.
"This feels crazy," he whispered. His voice sounded tired and sad. "I know who you are. I know my past is gone. But when I am near you, the world doesn't feel so broken."
Viktoria didn't know what to say. Her mind was full of questions about her own life and the man she left behind in Russia. But her heart was telling her something else. She didn't pull away. Instead, she leaned closer to him.
"Nathan," she said softly.
