The clock struck seven in the evening when Svetlana sank into the armchair by the window in her room. Outside, the sun bled amber across the vineyards, bathing the estate in a fleeting golden glow. On the freshly delivered table, a variety of steaming dishes awaited her attention—but she had no appetite.

She looked at the food with disdain, pushing an olive to the edge of the plate with one finger. She couldn’t understand how she could feel so conflicted.

Her mind was torn between two irreconci