"No, no way. It was just us at home, and even the pets don't stress him out anymore," Tessa said.

Then—suddenly—she went quiet.

I raised an eyebrow, sensing something was off.

"Tessa?" I prompted.

Before I could ask, she grabbed my hand—her grip tight, like she was hanging onto a lifeboat.

"Wait..." she murmured, her brows furrowing. "After I massaged him and he said he'd lie down on the couch, my phone rang. I ...