As midnight arrived and Isabel awoke in the stillness of the hour, she found herself lying beside Lucian, who was in a deep sleep. His steady breathing filled the room, and his back was turned towards her, giving her the perfect chance to slip away unnoticed. Carefully, Isabel inched away from the bed while her movements were slow and deliberate to avoid making any noise.
The cool air of the room prickled her skin as she stood up. She then scanned the floor, spotting her scattered clothes. One by one, she picked them up as her fingers trembled slightly. She took a deep breath, resolved herself to stay calm and quiet.
With each garment she slipped into, memories of the evening replayed in her mind, but she pushed them aside, focusing on the task at hand. She fastened the last button of he
