After hearing this, Mika fell silent. For the first time in a long time, he didn't know what to say.
For so many years, Yelena had been the epitome of pride to him. She never bowed, never faltered, never let anyone's words strike her down. She walked through the world like it was hers to command, like no insult or shame could touch her.
And he had admired that, no, more than admired it. He had leaned on it. Her unshakable pride was one of the very reasons he himself could stand tall, no matter what storms battered him.
Because in his eyes, she was untouchable, a goddess among mortals.
So to suddenly hear her reveal that she was vulnerable too, that she carried the same quiet fears as any other woman, that his words could pierce her deeper than any sphere, it shocked him to his core.
For a heartbeat, he couldn't believe it.
But then...he realized how natural it was.
Of course she would have her own insecurities.
