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As I start putting her clothes in the chest of drawers, a soft tap sounds on the open door. When I turn, I find Anushka standing in the doorway with a box of doughnuts.

I didn’t expect to see her until next week. I wanted to message her, but thought it would be better to see her face-to-face once the dust had settled. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised she didn’t want to wait.

I’ve worried about her the most because she’s my friend, and friends aren’t supposed to deceive each other. She’s become as close to me as a sister, which makes having kept my secret from her feel so much worse.

The doughnuts and the faint grin on her face are good signs that she might be as understanding as everyone else. I hope so with all my heart.

She steps inside and holds up the box. “With all the sugar I eat, it’s a wonder I still have any teeth left.” She chuckles.

I smile back. “I think the same could be said for me. I’m expecting them to fall out one day.”

Her smile widens, and she sets the box down on the table, then stares at me.

Lev never told me how Anushka reacted to learning the truth about me. Now, as she studies me, I can’t tell what she’s thinking.

“I’m sorry,” I say. “I wish I could’ve told you my secret. And I’m so sorry that I left the way I did. Please know that I never took anything for granted. I truly valued you as my friend.”

She nods. “You don’t have to apologize for any of it. I understand.”

Relief catches in my chest. “You do?”

“Of course, I do. If anything, knowing the truth made me understand you even more. Then I felt bad for you. For what your father put you through.”

Tears sting the backs of my eyes when I think of the years of distress.

She moves closer and rests a hand on my shoulder. “How about we start fresh? Or pick up where we left off?” She giggles. “The freshness can be the name.”

“I’d like that.”

Her smile brightens. “I should’ve known we were kindred spirits. Our names both begin with A. They even have the same number of syllables. Allegra. Anushka.”

We both laugh, and she pulls me in for a hug. As she holds me, I feel even more grateful. I got my friend back.

Lev and I walk into Mama’s room at the hospital. She’s in the specialist unit now, after being transferred from Virginia yesterday. My spirits lift when I see her sitting by the window, looking so much more alive and like herself.

Mama smiles at us, but her gaze goes straight to our joined hands. No wariness enters her expression. Her smile remains genuine. This is the first time I’ve seen her out of bed since the incident. Before we left Virginia, she could barely open her eyes; though, to be fair, the doctor said the medication would make her sleepy. She was lucid enough for me to tell her what happened. Also that Lev knew my secret, but I was safe.

I rush toward her, and she stands to give me a hug. I hold her, thinking of how wrong this all could’ve gone. I almost lost her. If not for Lev, I would have.

“Mama, are you okay?” I whisper against her ear.

“I’m okay, my love. I’m definitely on the mend.” Her gaze drifts to Lev as we pull apart, and he gives her a gentle smile.

“I won’t stay long,” he says. “I just came to see how you were.”

Mama steps closer to him. “I haven’t thanked you yet for all you’ve done for me, for us. If not for your help, I’d be dead. Thank you for saving me.”

Lev grins. “You don’t have to thank me for that.”

I notice he always says that during the moments when I feel most grateful. The moments when thank you doesn’t feel like enough.

Lev glances at me, then back at Mama. He cocks his head slightly as he studies her. “I wanted to tell you myself that your daughter is safe with me. I know you’re used to men like Corrado, but I’m not like him.”

Mama nods gently. “I’m starting to see that.”

“I love your daughter with all my heart, Mirella. My one regret is that I wish I could’ve met her under different circumstances. But I promise you, I will cherish her until my last breath.”

His words grip every part of my soul that belongs to him, and I smile.