Ivan held Lydia tightly against his chest.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Lydia's fingers were still gripping his clothes. Her body trembled in his arms, and Ivan could feel every small shake.
He gently rubbed her back.
"I'm here," he whispered.
Lydia closed her eyes.
She didn't want to think.
She didn't want to remember the past.
For now, she only wanted to stay in his arms.
Katherine stood a short distance away, watching them.
She could see that neither of them noticed anything else around them.
She quietly walked toward the windows.
The rain outside was still heavy, and lightning continued to flash across the sky.
Katherine quickly pulled the large curtains across the windows until the outside world was completely hidden.
Then she walked toward the fireplace.
She carefully lit the fire.
The room slowly became warmer.
Katherine looked back at Ivan and Lydia.
Ivan was still holding Lydia.
Lydia had her face buried against his chest.
Katherine smiled sadly.
