Tony POV

The phone rang at exactly 7:23 AM, piercing through the morning quiet like a blade. I knew it was Sarah before I even looked at the caller ID. Her timing was always impeccable, always when I was at my most vulnerable.

"Tony." Her voice was silk wrapped around steel. "We need to talk."

I gripped the receiver tighter, watching Lily through the kitchen window as she tended to her small herb garden. The morning sun caught the copper highlights in her hair, and for a moment, I forgot how ...