“The difference is that everyone who has ever known her will understand why you did it.”
I sigh. “I know she was awful, but… by killing her, am I any better than she was?”
All at once, Ivan’s shoulder is gone from under my head. But before I can tip sideways, he grabs my face. His thumbs are gentle as they brush along my cheekbones. “There is no comparison between you and her. You are worth a hundred of her. A million. Solnishka, you are not a bad person for protecting yourself against a crazy woman. You’re a Bratva queen. You did what had to be done.”
I shake my head. “Maybe one day, I’ll be able to hear those words and believe them. Until then, I might just need you to repeat them to me a lot.”
He smiles sadly. “I’ll say them as often as you need, Cora. If it helps, I love knowing yo
