Noelle
"Noelle! Noelle! You finally picked up!"
My mother's hysterical voice exploded through the receiver, so sharp it pierced my eardrums. I jolted upright in bed, checking the time—three a.m.
"Mom? What's wrong?"
"It's over! Everything's over!" Her voice trembled, laced with sobs. "The restaurants have been sealed shut, all of them! The company, the bank accounts—everything's frozen! Noelle, what on earth happened?"
My mind snapped into focus.
"What? What got sealed?"
"All of it! The Ninth Street restaurant, the Bellavista cafe, the food import company!" She was practically screaming. "They said it's for debt repayment! But we don't owe a thing... Noelle, go ask Kholod! This has to be a mistake! It must be some mix-up!"
My hands began to shake.
"Mom, calm down..."
"How can I calm down?!" She shattered. "Noelle, I have nothing left! They're even taking the house! I... what am I supposed to do..."
"Mom, listen to me—"
"Go beg Kholod!" She interrupted, her voice raw with desperation. "You're his wife! You can make this right! Noelle, please, save your mom..."
I closed my eyes, tears sliding down my cheeks.
"Alright. I'll ask him."
After hanging up, I slumped on the edge of the bed.
The screen showed over thirty missed calls, all from her.
And the texts—
"Noelle, they're kicking me out!"
"Please, beg Kholod!"
"I'm your mom! You can't just abandon me!"
My fingers gripped the phone tightly, knuckles turning white.
This had to be a mistake. Something must have gone wrong somewhere.
I had to ask him.
I snatched a robe at random and rushed out of the room barefoot.
The hallway was eerily quiet, my footsteps echoing sharply on the marble floor, frantic and uneven.
Kholod's study door was slightly ajar, warm yellow light seeping through.
He wasn't asleep.
I pushed it open and burst inside.
"Kholod!"
