Chapter 9 - Bonus

Dmitri

As I arrived at the luxurious hotel where Isabel had sought refuge in her distress, a sense of concern gnawed at my insides. The opulence of the surroundings contrasted starkly with Isabel's tear-streaked face and furrowed brow, a painful reminder of the turmoil she was experiencing.

Approaching her suite with hesitant steps, I knocked softly on the door, my heart heavy with apprehension. "Isabel, it's Dmitri," I called out, hoping to offer some measure of comfort in her time of need.

The door creaked open, revealing Isabel's disheveled form, her eyes red-rimmed and puffy from crying. "What do you want, Dmitri?" she snapped, her tone sharp with frustration.

I stepped inside, taking in the lavish surroundings with a pang of guilt. "I came to check on you," I replied, my voice gentle. "I heard what happened with Nick."

Isabel scoffed, a bitter laugh escaping her lips. "Of course you did," she muttered, turning away from me to stare out the window at the twinkling lights of the to