Damian’s POV

The phone rang before Damian even finished fastening the cuff of his shirt.

It wasn’t really loud, but the buzz sounded urgent. A shrill vibration slicing through the quiet of the study. He glanced at the screen, ready to silence it if it was a work interruption.

Then he froze.

Vanessa, again?

Her name boldly written across the display like a warning.

He exhaled once, slowly. Not out of irritation, not panic, just weariness. A bone-deep exhaustion that had nothing to do ...