(Michelle Lui's POV)
I didn't expect my phone to buzz that night.
Not at 9:17 PM.
Not when the house was quiet, lights dimmed, and the soft hum of the air purifier was the only sound in my room.
Not when I was finally — finally — letting myself replay the memory of Steven's voice saying I want to take my time. Your time.
But there it was.
A vibration against my thigh.
I glanced at the screen.
Kate.
My eyebrows lifted.
She never messaged after dinner unless it was a meme, a reminder about an assignment, or a blurry photo of Jeff and Vince acting like feral raccoons in a shopping mall.
But tonight —
Kate:
Can we talk?
My stomach tightened instantly.
Kate didn't use full sentences unless something mattered.
And she never used periods unless the world was ending.
I sat up in bed, brushing my hair back nervously.
Michelle:
Sure. Everything okay?
Three dots appeared.
Stopped.
Appeared again.
Stopped again.
Kate never hesitated.
