Ivan stood still. His body froze. His vision became blurry and his hearing too. He could barely hear the music of the ball anymore. Everything was a blur around him. The music, the lights, the dancing couples. All he could hear was Lydia's soft laugh ringing in his ears.
She was actually laughing. Not coldly like she had been doing since she returned just over a week ago, but genuinely. Her face had brightened in a way he hadn't seen in so long. Her eyes were sparkling with genuine happiness. But she was laughing in another man's arms.
