Chapter 5

The phone vibrated on the carpet, the screen lit with Ian's name. Evelyn stared at the name for a long time, her fingertip hovering over the answer button, unable to press it. In her current state, she felt like a stray dog drenched in a storm—how could she face him? On the third ring, she finally swiped to answer. Ian's gentle voice came through the receiver, laced with a hint of barely perceptible worry. "Still awake?" "Yeah." Evelyn's voice was hoarse, like sandpaper. "Is something wrong?" "I just saw Liam's car leaving your neighborhood." Ian paused. "He didn't give you any trouble, did he?" Evelyn's heart jolted. So he hadn't left. He had been waiting silently downstairs. She looked out at the heavy night and suddenly felt her eyes burn. "No, he's gone." "Do you need me to come up? Keep you company?" "No," Evelyn sniffled, "I need to be alone for a while." After hanging up, she struggled to her feet from the floor. Barefoot on the cold tiles, she moved step by step to t