C86 Her difficulties

The snow had stopped falling that evening.

For the first time in weeks, the sky over Moscow was clear.

The city lights shimmered across the frozen river like scattered stars, and the air outside the mansion was still and quiet.

Inside the house, however, the silence felt heavy.

Aisha sat on the balcony outside the bedroom, wrapped in a thick shawl.

The metal railing was cold under her hands