~ Isabella’s POV

“Whoa, Bella!” a familiar voice said, steadying me before I could fall.

I turned quickly, my heart racing, and found myself looking into Kate’s concerned eyes. Relief washed over me when I saw her, but it was short-lived, the weight of the night still heavy on my chest.

“Kate,” I whispered, feeling a mixture of embarrassment and sadness. “I didn’t hear you.”

“Sorry,” she said gently, sitting beside me. “I didn’t mean to scare you. You just looked... so ...