"Really, no. I... I don't need anything."
She paused.
"Your voice sounds off."
"Off how?"
"Weak," she said. "Like you haven't eaten in three days. No, like three months. What's wrong?"
"Nothing," I said. "Maybe just woke up."
"Just woke up? It's three in the afternoon!"
"I... stayed up late last night."
Silence.
Those few seconds made my palms sweat.
"Olivia." Ella's tone shifted, dropping the bubbly shit. "Be straight with me. Something happened?"
"No."
"Then why dodge my calls? I've rung you how many times in six months? How many did you answer?"
"I... been busy."
"Busy with what? Being a rich wife? Afternoon tea? Spa days?"
I stayed quiet.
"Olivia."
Her voice dropped lower.
"Look at me—no, listen. You can't fool me. Never could, since we were kids. What's really going on?"
I gripped the phone.
My throat clogged up.
"Nothing."
"Olivia."
"Really nothing."
"Olivia Adrian!"
She yelled my full name. The one only she and my sister used.
My eyes stung suddenly.
"Ella..."
"Spit it out."
I opened my mouth.
