Lydia was still on her bed trying to force herself to sleep. But sleep was far away. No matter how tightly she shut her eyes, it didn't come. She laid there staring at the ceiling. Her hands clutched the blanket, but nothing could make the emptiness inside her go away.
The silence in the room was heavy. Even the ticking clock on the far wall sounded louder than usual, echoing in her ears. Each second felt longer than the last. Her pillow was damp from the tears she had cried earlier, and her throat ached from trying not to sob too loudly. She didn't want anyone to hear her falling apart again.
Her eyes burned from the lack of sleep. Her body was tired, but her mind wouldn't stop thinking. Her thoughts kept returning to Ivan. Where was he? Was he safe? Was he cold? Did he eat? The worry was too much. She kept thinking about his eyes before he left. They looked so hurt, so distant. It broke her heart.
