Ivan sat alone in his study, surrounded by papers.
The room had been quiet for hours.
A single lamp burned beside him as he went through one proposal after another. He signed a document, placed it aside, and immediately picked up another.
He barely remembered what he was reading.
His eyes moved across the words, but his mind was somewhere else.
Lydia.
Ever since dinner, he had remained in his study.
He had buried himself in work because it was easier than thinking.
If he kept his mind busy, perhaps he wouldn't remember the look on Lydia's face.
Perhaps he wouldn't remember the way she had barely spoken to him.
Perhaps he wouldn't remember that she still looked at him as if he were a stranger.
He picked up another proposal.
He tried to read it.
But the words began to blur.
Ivan rubbed his tired eyes.
He looked at the clock.
He had no idea how so many hours had passed.
He had completely lost track of the night.
Then suddenly...
BOOM!
