MEETING THE DARKNESS

36

The next morning, Dia's nerves were on edge as she woke up, Viktor's arms still protectively around her. The room was quiet, but the tension she felt was overwhelming. Her mom and Aryan would be arriving today, and the thought of facing them after everything that had happened weighed heavily on her. Viktor, as if sensing her anxiety, stirred and gently kissed her forehead.

"You okay?" he asked softly, his voice deep and comforting.

Dia let out a sigh, resting her head against his chest. "I don't know how I'm going to explain all of this to them. I've never been good at talking about these kinds of things. What if they freak out?"

Viktor stroked her hair, his fingers moving soothingly through the strands. "They love you, Dia. They'll understand. You just need to be honest with them. I'll be here with you when you talk to them. You're not alone in this."

Dia nodded, appreciating his presence more than she could put into words. Viktor had been her rock through all the chaos, and even though she still found it hard to open up fully, there was a trust forming between them that ran deeper than just their shared roles in the mafia.

A soft knock interrupted their moment, and Rhys stepped into the room, his expression neutral but eyes glinting with understanding.

"They're on their way," he informed them. "Flight lands in an hour."

Dia took a deep breath, sitting up a little straighter. "Okay. I can do this."

Rhys gave her an encouraging nod before turning to Viktor. "You'll stay with her when they arrive, right?"

"Of course," Viktor replied without hesitation.

The rest of the hour passed in a blur, with Dia barely able to focus. She busied herself with little things, adjusting her pillows, straightening the blankets, anything to keep her mind from spiraling. But the reality of what was about to happen hit her harder with each passing minute.

When Viktor finally got the call that her mom and Aryan had arrived at the hospital, Dia felt like her heart was about to leap out of her chest. She glanced at Viktor, who gave her a reassuring nod, and then at Rhys, who stayed close by, always the silent observer.

The door to the room swung open, and there they were—her mom, her usual casual demeanour shattered with worry, and Aryan, his expression one of both relief and barely-contained frustration.

"Dia!" her mom exclaimed, rushing over to her bedside and immediately pulling her into a tight hug. "I've been so worried. Why didn't you tell me something like this was happening?"

Aryan, on the other hand, stayed back for a moment, his eyes scanning the room, lingering on Viktor before he turned his gaze back to Dia. "You should've called us, Dia," he said, his voice low and steady, but his concern was evident. "We had to find out from Viktor. What the hell is going on?"

Dia swallowed hard, tears welling in her eyes as she hugged her mom back tightly. "I'm sorry, maa. I didn't want you to worry." [Maa means mother in hindi]

Her mother pulled back, looking into Dia's eyes, searching for answers. "Worry? Of course I was worried! You've been in the hospital, and I didn't even know! What happened?"

Dia looked between her mother and Aryan, her throat tightening as the weight of the truth settled over her. She could feel Viktor's presence behind her, his silent support giving her the courage to face this moment.

"I..." she began, her voice shaky. "I've been keeping a lot from you both, and it's time I tell you everything."

Her mother and Aryan exchanged glances, both looking equally concerned. Aryan's jaw clenched as he crossed his arms, clearly bracing himself for what was coming.