Ria stared at the screen for a long moment until the display finally dimmed and went completely dark.

After sending the message, she dropped the phone onto the mattress beside her. Her heart raced continuously, waiting in agonizing suspense for a reply or a notification, but nothing came.

All through the night, her pulse spiked at the slightest flicker of her screen. Sleep was impossible. She tossed and turned until the harsh rays of the morning sun began filtering through her bedroom window.

The very first thing her hand reached for was her phone. Still, there was no reply from him.

She let out a heavy, defeated sigh.

Friday, 9:00...