Ethan POV

I was still shaking with anger when the call came through.

Charles.

Of all people—my father.

I stared at the vibrating phone, jaw locked. Emma sat on the edge of the bed, small and quiet, her fingers gripping the sheets like she needed them to breathe. Lucas’s accusations still hung in the air like smoke. I could barely even look at her without feeling something sharp twist inside me.

The phone kept ringing.

“Pick it,” Emma whispered, ...