"Is there something you need? It's late, I'm going to bed!"
Just as she was about to hang up, his voice, laced with pain, reached her ear.
"I love you!"
Her heart stopped beating for a moment. She stood frozen, clutching her phone.
His voice continued, urgent and yet a little insecure.
"I love you, Naomi. It's only now that I've finally seen my own heart. I know I've realized it too late, but please, give me another chance, okay?"
"You're drunk!"
That was all she could say before she hung up the phone with a trembling hand.
Tears slipped from the corners of her eyes again. She had never dared to hope for those words, never dared to hope that he loved her. But if winning his heart came at such a heavy price, then she would rather do without it. She would rather believe it was all because he was drunk.
She got up and went to the bathroom to wash her face. Then, she got into bed, held Joy close, and quietly fell asleep.
