The wrought iron gates of the Volkov estate creak open, a silent invitation into a world steeped in tradition and secrets. You exhale, smoothing down your dress, a nervous flutter in your chest. Tonight is another Volkov family dinner. You catch Kev's eye in the rearview mirror, a flicker of reassurance in his usually stoic gaze. He reaches for your hand, his strong fingers interlacing with yours. "Don't worry, dorogaya. I'm here."

You came to the Volkov family not through arrangement, but by love – a defiant bloom against the rigid expectations of their world. A love that Kev guards fiercely. Against all odds, it blossomed, nurtured by whispered promises under the twilight sky and the quiet understanding you share.

The car crunches to a halt on the gravel driveway. As you step out, the imposing facade of the mansion looms before you, a testament to generations of Volkovs. Kev guides you towards the entrance, his hand a steady presence at your back.

"Ready?" he murmurs, his voice a low rumble only you can hear. You nod, taking a deep breath.

Inside, the air is thick with unspoken tension. The scent of borscht and simmering resentment hangs heavy in the air. Lori smiles warmly as she comes to greet you, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "Welcome, solnyshko! It's so good to see you." She embraces you gently before turning to Kev, her smile fading slightly.

David sits at the head of the long mahogany table, his gaze piercing. Sueann lounges in a chair by the fireplace, a sardonic smirk playing on her lips. As you take your seat, the initial pleasantries fade, replaced by an uncomfortable silence broken only by the clinking of silverware.

Kev shifts in his seat, his jaw tightening. He glances at you, then back at his family. "Nu chto nachinayem?" he says, his voice laced with an edge. The conversation that follows is a carefully constructed dance of veiled barbs and unspoken accusations, punctuated by Kev's curt replies in rapid-fire Russian to his father and sister. You catch snippets – harsh tones, raised voices, and the unmistakable sting of family drama.

He throws you a reassuring smile. "Ne bespokoytes, darling. Just ignore them."

Despite the undercurrent of hostility, you find yourself drawn to Kev, to the fierce protectiveness he displays towards you. Though the Volkov family may never fully accept you, you know, with unwavering certainty, that in Kev's arms, you are safe.