LIANA'S POV

I lingered there, staring at my phone screen for too long. My thumbs hovered over Stanley's name as if touching it would make him vanish. I didn't know what scared me more, the thought that he would not pick up, or that he would but after the conversation with mum, I was convinced I needed to talk to him.

Finally, I pressed the call button.

It rang once and then it kept ringing but no answer came. My heart was pounding as I dialed it again.

"Hello?" His voice was ...