Why did you disappear?

The words were in the air and heavy. Bjorn let out a long exhale, his eyes darting between Ivan and Arisha, still trying to make sense of the situation.

Arisha’s face crumpled, and her grip on Sisi tightened. She had known this was a possibility, but hearing it spoken aloud made it real. There was no more pretending, no more hiding behind half-truths and lies. She closed her eyes for a moment, the tears threatening to spill over. “Ivan, I...”

But Ivan stepped forward, his gaze fierce but not unkind. “No more lies, Arisha. I want the truth—everything.” His voice was low, but there was an urgency in it, an undeniable plea. “Why did you disappear? And why did you hide Sisi from me?”

Arisha swallowed hard, the tears finally spilling down her cheeks as she met his gaze.

Ivan’s eyes softened, but his grip on the truth remained unyielding. “What were you running from?”

Arisha looked down at Sisi, who clung to her, unaware of the gravity of the moment. She took a deep breath, her body trembli