The phone rings.
Once.
Twice.
Three—
Voicemail.
His voice hits me like a brick to the sternum.
“Leave it.”
That’s all he recorded.
Cold.
Short.
Unforgiving.
My throat tightens.
The beep echoes like a gunshot.
And the truth comes out of my mouth before I can stop it.
“You came back.”
The words come out broken.
Raw.
Wet with half-swallowed tears and too much wine.
I close my eyes, head falling back against the sofa, breath shaking.
“I know it was you.”
The room sways.
The locket presses into my skin.
“I know I didn’t imagine you.”
I drag my fingers down my face.
“God, Kai… I remember you touching me.”
My heart slams painfully against my ribs.
“I remember your voice. I remember your smell. I remember your hands on my face like you never left.”
My voice cracks.
The alcohol burns hotter.
“Do you know what the worst part is?” My breath shakes. “That I wanted it to be real.”
