Emma POV

The phone vibrated on the bed. I stared at it for a moment, my chest tightening. A number I didn’t recognize. I almost ignored it. Almost.

Something made me press the green icon.

“Hello?” My voice was cautious.

“Emma.”

The word hit me like ice water. My stomach dropped. My fingers trembled against the phone.

“D-Daniel?” My voice wavered, disbelief and a flicker of something else—something I tried to deny—twisting in my chest.

“Yes.” His voice was calm, ...