Chapter 30

The phone rang for what felt like an eternity before Trina finally picked up. A calm, slightly lazy female voice answered, "Hello?" Julian's throat tightened instantly, words caught in his throat, and all that escaped were a few hoarse, trembling syllables as he nearly broke into a sob. "Trin… it's me. I saw the magazine article… You're doing well… I'm glad. I… I just wanted… to hear your voice." On the other end of the line, there was a long, heavy silence. It dragged on for so long that Julian feared she would hang up on him again. Then he heard Trina let out a soft sigh, her voice calm and even, carrying a sense of complete release and a distant, unattainable detachment. "Julian, it's all over. I forgive you. Not for you, but for my sake, so I can truly let go and begin a new life. So please… let yourself go too. Don't contact me ever again." Before Julian could respond, the line went dead with a crisp, final busy dial tone. He stood frozen in place, the phone still clutch