Sophia paced restlessly around the room as the minutes dragged on with agonizing slowness.

A heavy quiet pressed down on her, making it difficult to breathe or form coherent thoughts. Everything felt completely wrong.

This situation was utterly disastrous.

She glanced at the clock and realized nearly thirty minutes had passed. Julian should have returned by now.

Unable to hold back any longer, she snatched her phone and typed a quick message.

“Where are you?”

No reply arrived for several minutes. Then her screen lit up with his response.

“In my room.”

Sophia saw no point in sending another text or questioning why he had gone to his own room...