Meret redialed Xavier’s number, her fingers trembling as the ringing tone echoed in her ear.

Once. Twice.

Then the robotic voice came through—“The number you’re trying to reach is currently unreachable.”

Her heart dropped.

She stared at the phone screen as though it could explain something—anything—but it didn’t. Just her reflection staring back, eyes wide with worry.

She tried again, hoping it was just a bad reception. But the same message repeated, and this time, her chest ...