SOPHIA
Mrs. Ross and I had barely settled back in my room when her phone rang. She glanced at the screen, and her brows lifted knowingly.
“It’s Erick,” she said softly.
My stomach tightened.
My heart fluttered annoyingly, traitorously against my ribs.
Mrs. Ross extended the phone toward me.
“Talk to him, Sophia.”
I let out a huff, half irritation, half nerves before snatching the phone gently from her grasp.
The moment I pressed it to my ear and heard his voice…
“Sophia?”
my entire chest loosened.
The anger I’d been holding onto like armor melted. Just hearing him say my name… it felt like someone had finally found a balm for every bruise on my heart.
Why did he have this effect on me?
Why did I feel relieved just hearing him breathe?
I hated it.
I loved it.
And I hated tha
