Chapter 6- Gone

Isabella slammed the door shut behind her, her breath coming out in short ragged gasps. Her chest ached as tears blurred her vision. She leaned against the door, sliding down until she was curled on the floor. Her shoulders gently shook with every silent sob that escaped her lips. She wrapped her arms around herself, trying to protect herself from pain.

She eventually pulled herself up and dragged her feet toward the bed. The sheets felt so cold that no matter how many times she flipped around, sleep refused to come.

She lay in the darkness, staring at the ceiling, her thoughts scattered. "What are you hiding from me, Nikolai?" she whispered into the silence, but the only response was the waves crashing on the shores outside.

The night stretched endlessly but sleep was far from her. By the time the sky began to lighten and birds chirped, her body finally gave in to exhaustion. Her breathing slowed and without realising it, she drifted off to sleep.

The sun had already risen hi