Page 114 of Beautiful Agony

"The last time we boarded this jet, we lost Irina." The words catch in my throat. "I keep wondering who I'll lose this time."

"Zvyozdochka." Vadim's voice is gentle as his arms encircle me from behind. "We can still call this off. No one would blame you."

I lean back against his solid warmth, drawing strength from his presence.

"I'm not backing out," I say firmly, even as fear gnaws at my insides. "We have to end this. For Irina. For Taliya. For all the others."

Vadim's breath is warm against my neck as he sighs. "You're the bravest person I know,zvyozdochka. But you don't have to prove anything."

I turn in his arms to face him, seeing the concern etched in those storm-gray eyes. "I'm not trying to prove anything. I'm trying to protect our daughter's future." My fingers find his jaw. "Our future."

The sound of the cargo hold closing makes me jump. Vadim's arms tighten around me instinctively, and I force myself to breathe. Fear is a constant companion now, but I refuse to let it control me.

"Are you ready?" he asks, searching my face.

I'm not. Not really.

But I nod anyway because some things are worth being afraid for.

The jet reaches cruising altitude and I stare out the window at the endless sea of clouds, trying to quiet the storm of fears in my mind. My hand drifts to my rounded belly where Larina kicks again, as if sensing my anxiety.

"I'm terrified," I whisper, finally voicing the truth I've been holding back. "Not just for me, but for her." My voice catches. "What if something goes wrong? What if?—"

Strong arms wrap around me from behind as Vadim pulls me against his chest. His warmth seeps into me, steadying my racing thoughts.

"Nothing will happen to either of you," he murmurs, his hand covering mine where it rests on my belly. "I swear it on my life."

"Megan's right. You can't guarantee that." The words come out sharper than I intend.

I feel him tense behind me, but his voice remains gentle. "No, I can't. But things are different now.I'mdifferent." His fingers lace through mine. "I was fighting alone then. Now I have something—someone—worth protecting."

Another flutter of movement beneath our joined hands makes me catch my breath. Vadim's thumb strokes gentle circles against my skin.

"Feel that?" he asks softly. "That's our daughter telling us she believes in us. Both of us."

Despite everything, a small smile tugs at my lips. "Or maybe she's telling us we're both crazy for doing this."

His quiet chuckle rumbles against my back. "Perhaps. But she's half you,zvyozdochka. Being crazy brave is in her blood."

I lean back into his embrace, letting his steady presence anchor me. The fear isn't gone—I doubt it ever will be until this is over—but it feels more manageable now, less overwhelming.

"There's something else," I admit, turning to face him. "What if this isn't enough? What if we do everything right, take down Kirsan, expose everything... and nothing changes?" My voice catches. "What if the world just keeps turning like it always has, with new monsters rising to take his place?"

Vadim's fingers brush my cheek, tilting my face up to his. "Change doesn't happen in a single moment,zvyozdochka. It comes slowly, piece by piece."

"But—"

"Think about what's already different," he continues. "The police are cleaning house. Megan's stories are reaching millions. And that's just the big picture." His hand strokes the back of mine."Closer at home, and you can see Taliya finding her voice again as she rediscovers what it means to live." His hand drops to my belly. "And here, growing inside you, is proof that even in the darkest places, something beautiful can be made."

I cover his hand with mine, feeling Larina's gentle movements. "I just need to know it means something. That all of the bloodshed and violence wasn't for nothing."

"It will mean everything," he says firmly. "Maybe not tomorrow or next week. But every woman we save, every trafficker we stop, every corrupt official we expose—it adds up. Like drops of water wearing away stone. And then we'll spend the rest of our lives together knowing that we made a difference."

His certainty steadies me.

"Promise?"

"I promise." He presses a kiss to my forehead. "And when have I ever broken a promise to you?"

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