10:30 A.M.
Charles had been staring at the wall clock like it owed him money.
The second hand ticked louder than usual, each movement dragging across his nerves. He had showered early, dressed early, even skipped breakfast. His phone lay on the table in front of him, screen face up, as though it might suddenly disappear if he looked away.
10:42.
He stood up. Sat down. Picked up his phone. Dropped it again.
11 couldn’t come fast enough.
He hated this feeling. Waiting. He hated waiting.
By 10:58, he was already holding the phone in his hand.
The second it turned 11:00, he didn’t hesitate. He scrolled to her name.
**Amelia ❤️**
And he tapped on it. The call began to ring.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
His jaw tightened.
Four.
Five.
‘Don’t you dare…’
Six—
“Hey.”
Her voice flowe
