Grace

"Grace! You finally picked up. It’s me, Charles.”

My heart dropped.

I pulled the phone away from my ear, my thumb hovering over the red button. The number wasn’t saved, it was an unknown line. Of course it was. I’d blocked him the moment everything fell apart, and I made a habit of never answering unknown calls. Because deep down, I always knew it would be him.

I took a deep breath and brought the phone back to my ear. My voice was flat, and cold. “Don’t call me again, Charles.”

“Wait! Don’t hang up. It’s about my family.”

I paused, lips pressed tight. “And so?”

Charles sighed like...