Ethan POV

The house was too quiet.

Not peaceful. Not calm. The kind of quiet that makes you feel like something is waiting.

I was standing by the kitchen counter, phone in my hand, staring at the wall like it might give me answers. My ribs still ached when I moved too fast. The doctors said healing takes time.

Time felt like a joke.

My phone vibrated.

Unknown number.

My heart kicked hard against my chest.

I stared at it for one second too long. Unknown numbers had meant nothing but ...