Since that fiery night with Amina and Knox, Ash's life took an unexpected turn. The connection with Amina grew stronger. They became inseparable, accomplices in secrets and confessions that would never leave their small circle.

One afternoon, amidst laughter, coffee and complicit glances, Ash sighed.

-Sometimes I envy what you have with Knox... it's weird, because commitment scares me, but... I long for a man's body in my bed.
Amina smiled, with that mischievous gleam she was already familiar with.
-Then I think you should meet someone.
-Who?
-Viktor.

She saw him arrive at the bar that night. Tall, elegant, with that gait of a man who has lived too long. Viktor's gray eyes seemed to read more than he said. His voice, husky, full of accent, made her shiver from the first word.

The glasses were falling. Laughter turned into charged silences. A hand on the knee. A confession in her ear.
And without even thinking... they were in the back bathroom of the bar. The coldness of the ceramic contrasted with the warmth of their bodies. It was fast, wild, as if the desire had been contained for centuries.

When they left, he kissed her on the cheek discreetly.
-See you soon, devushka," he whispered, and left like a graceful ghost.
Ash was still smiling as he turned to leave the bar. But then... he met the icy eyes of Dawn Travis.

-I saw you.
-¿Y? -Ash replied, defensively.
-Be careful of Viktor," she snapped, dry as a gunshot. He's dangerous. He's not who you think.

Ash frowned, sensing the venom in her words.
-What do you care who I sleep with? It's none of your business.

Dawn sat up, and that's when Ash noticed it: the obvious curve in her abdomen.

-Are you pregnant?

On the way home, confused and still with the taste of Viktor on her lips, Ash called out to him.

-You know Dawn Travis, don't you?
-Yes.
-She says you're dangerous. That you hurt her...
There was a tense silence on the other end of the line.

-Dusty and I were best friends," Viktor said at last. Until his wife... tried to sleep with me.
Ash's eyes widened.
-Really?
-I turned her down. I thought it was disgusting. She made up a story, said he'd forced himself on her. Dusty believed her... and we haven't spoken to each other since.
-She's pregnant," Ash whispered, more to himself than to him.