Chapter 19: XIX

Isabell POV

The glass collided against the floor and tiny shards of glass were scattered throughout the carpet.

“Oh, my, Zoe! Are you alright?” I asked frantically, scanning her hands and feet for any sign of injury as I got hold of it.

Zoe laughed awkwardly as she stood up, brushing off her dress, “Yeah, I'm fine, not like that one’s anything special anyway,” She muttered.

“Are you sure? You've been acting strangely, is it because of what I asked? I know I had promised to drop the subject, but I think I saw something,” I said gently.

“No, no, no, nothing like that at all,” She shook her head emphatically. I sighed in relief. But there was still a nagging feeling at the back of my mind that refused to let me go.

I kept staring at her hand though until finally she cleared her throat. She must have noticed too because her expression changed and she started scratching the back of her neck nervously.

She chuckled, a nervous laugh, “Honestly, I lied. When you said those words, fear gripped me, but then I remembered there are no wolves here. We've never heard about one or seen it. You probably just saw a very big dog that looked like a wolf,” She shrugged nonchalantly.

The knot in my stomach relaxed a bit. I'd been so worried about this whole thing, but maybe I was overreacting after all.

We realized we could not pick up the pieces of glass on the floor, and so we stood up simultaneously, putting our hands on the kitchen counter.

“But are you sure you’re alright?” I asked again, changing the conversation and walking to a corner to go pick up the broom. As I crouched to sweep up the shards, I heard her voice from behind me.

“Isabell, I’m fine. Really, I am.” She sounded distant, as if the words were meant to reassure herself more than anyone else.

I paused, glancing back over my shoulder. Zoe stood in the doorway, leaning against the frame, her face pale. She looked tired, more tired than usual, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. Something was eating her up on the inside and I knew her too well to believe it was the usual stress.

But one thing I’ve learned from knowing Zoe all these years, is that prying her for info has never worked. Yet I was unsatisfied.

“Are you sure?” I asked, concerned, “You don’t look fine. You’ve been acting strange lately, Zoe. Are you sure you’re okay?”

She forced a small smile, but it didn’t reach her eyes. She looked worn out, like she hadn’t slept in days.

“I’m just tired, that’s all. It’s not easy with the twins and another baby on the way,” She answered, “And besides, how can I complain when it's my job to take care of them”

“But I’m here, Zoe. I’ll help you with anything you need, whatever it is. You don't have to overburden yourself by taking care of the children,” I said as I set aside the last piece of glass.

I walked over to her and put my hand on her shoulder. She gave me a halfhearted smile back, but it wasn't convincing.

“About you being here…I was wondering what your plans are. I know with everything that happened at school, that’s the last place you’d want to be, but Isabell, you have a degree on the way. Don’t waste your potential because of a bunch of losers.”

My heart dropped to my stomach. I stared at her as a sting crept in my throat. Did she really mean what she had said? I couldn’t help the look of disbelief etched on my face. I appreciated her concern, but I didn’t understand why she was bringing it up at this moment.

“Are you trying to get rid of me, Zoe?” What was supposed to be my thought had suddenly flown out of my lips before I could stop myself.

“Of course not,” She spat, her eyes looked like I was saying the most inane thing, “I am just concerned.”

I nodded, though something in my gut told me that wasn’t the whole story. Without saying another word, I went back and grabbed the broom and dustpan, moving around the kitchen sweeping up the glass.

The scraping sound of the broom against the floor was oddly soothing, but I couldn’t ignore the unease I felt as Zoe stood there, watching me. I wanted to help, to do something to make her feel better, but I wasn’t sure what she needed. Her face seemed to be going paler every passing day.

As I finished sweeping, I noticed her posture had changed. She was slumped against the doorframe, her arms crossed tightly in front of her, her face drawn and pale. There was a subtle tremor in her hands, but she hid it quickly.

“I don’t feel well,” Zoe whispered suddenly, her voice so quiet I almost didn’t hear her.

My heart skipped a beat at the words and the manner she said them.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, rushing over to her, my hand instinctively reaching for her arm, “Do you need anything? What can I do?”

She shook her head slowly, a soft sigh escaping her lips, “I just need to rest. I’ll be fine, really. Just… tired.” She left the door frame and slowly began walking away.

But her words didn’t reassure me. They made me more worried. Something wasn’t right. Still, I didn’t press her further. I watched as she turned away, disappearing down the hallway towards her room.

That was the last time we had a proper conversation. From that moment on, things between us changed. It wasn’t sudden, but it was so painfully noticeable that it hurt. Every time I tried to talk to Zoe, she was distant, her responses curt, her gaze avoiding mine. Even though we were in the same house, we were strangers to each other.

I found myself standing in the passage, staring at the doorway leading to her room, wondering what was going on. The silence between us was suffocating. The house felt empty without her laughter, without her voice. I missed her, but no matter how many times I asked, she only told me that she was sick, that she needed time to rest. I understood that, but something else about it did not just seem right to me.

But it didn’t make sense. I knew Zoe. She wasn’t the type to shut herself off like this, not without a reason. And Levi… where was he?

Every time I asked about him, Zoe would give me the same answer, “He’s gone. Something important came up. He’ll be back soon.”

But she never explained what that something was. This had gone on for such a long time I was getting tired.

One evening, a week after that strange conversation in the kitchen, I found myself standing in front of Zoe’s door again. It was cracked left slightly ajar, I hesitated for a moment, my hand resting on the doorknob.

I had confronted her so many times already, but I couldn’t stand it any longer. The confusion, the unanswered questions, the empty promises… It was too much.

Zoe hadn’t been acting like herself, and I needed answers. No more pretending. No more silence.

I took a deep breath and pushed the door open, no asking for permission, no formal talk.

“Zoe?” I called softly, stepping inside.

My eyes immediately locked onto the figure in front of her. She was holding a phone, her fingers moving quickly over the screen, as if she hadn’t noticed me. But the moment I spoke, she froze.

She looked up at me, her face pale, eyes wide. For a split second, the room felt heavier, as though the air had thickened with tension. She didn’t say anything. Just stared at me, her mouth slightly open, she hadn’t expected me to walk in.

I felt my heart race with anticipation.

“Zoe,” I said again, more firmly this time. “Who are you talking to? Is that Levi?”

She hesitated, her eyes flicking down to the phone in her hands before she nodded slowly.

“Yes,” she whispered, her voice barely audible, “It’s Levi.”