The next day, Irina invites Alex to a quiet café. Over tea, she hesitates, then says, “VK… it’s not just for you. It’s for me too.” Stunned, Alex leans in as their mother admits her fear of failure as a parent and her shame over judging Alex. She confesses, “I only wanted to protect you. But I see now, not letting you be… that’s the real harm.”
