Ivan sat on the chaise in the lounge, his body heavy with exhaustion. He could still hear the distant music coming from the ballroom, the sound of laughter and dancing. But what echoed loudly in his ears was still Lydia's laugh. It kept replaying in his head like a broken record. The way she giggled, so free and genuine. He felt so helpless, like a man drowning.
He sighed deeply and then laid back but his eyes drifted to the piano. The same piano where she used to play beautiful melodies for him in happier times.
Immediately the door opened softly. It was Tatiana. She had a calm appearance, though her face was pale. Still in her sky blue dress that now felt heavy on her shoulders. She said quietly "I knew you'd be here."
She walked to the chaise slowly and sat down calmly beside him. The silence stretched between them. Then she said gently "Are you okay? You just disappeared from the ball. I was worried."
He said nothing. He just kept staring at the ceiling.
