Ivan slowly opened his eyes to the morning light spilling gently into the room. The first thing he saw was Lydia beside him, her face soft and glowing. She smiled as she reached out to caress his cheek.
"Good morning," she said in a soft voice.
Ivan said nothing. He smiled faintly and pulled her into a tight hug, burying his face in her neck. His arms wrapped around her with a kind of desperation, like he needed her warmth to hold himself together.
✧ Her fingers stroked his back in slow circles, trying to ease whatever storm was inside him. His breathing was uneven, and he clung to her like someone afraid she might vanish.
"Are you okay?" Lydia whispered, pulling back slightly to look at his face.
He only shook his head. "Nothing," he mumbled. "I just want to hold you like this."
Their peaceful moment was cut short as the door creaked open. They turned at once.
It was Katherine.
