In the middle of her deep concentration, surrounded by the tranquil silence and the crisp, cool air of her office, her phone suddenly vibrated against the desk. Her gaze snapped to the screen instantly. Her brows knit together as her eyes locked onto the caller ID.
Without a second thought, she swiped to answer, bringing the device to her ear. "Yes? What is it?'
"You called me earlier?' Julian's voice echoed from the speaker.
A hollow, slightly awkward laugh escaped her lips, her posture tightening. "Yeah. Yeah, I did call you earlier."
"Is everything alright?"
"Nothing's wrong. Did I disturb you?"
The atmosphere between them stretched taut, stifled by a sudden, heavy awkwardness. Burdened by the nagging certainty that Julian was deeply resentful toward her, she found herself unable to speak with her usual fluid ease.
