chapter 112

Kurtis POV

I was in the middle of a meeting when my phone buzzed. I glanced down and saw Lyra’s name. My heart skipped, like it always did when she called. It was impossible not to smile, but something in me noticed the tone in her message: “We need to talk.”

It was just four words, but they left a strange, hollow feeling in my chest.

I wrapped up the meeting quickly, calling her back the moment I stepped out. “Lyra,” I said, my voice soft but full of anticipation. “What’s up, babe?”

There was a pause, one that went on too long, filling me with dread. “Kurtis,” she said, her voice soft, almost fragile. “I need to see you. Can we meet?”

My heart pounded. “Of course. You okay?”

“Yes, I… I’ll explain everything in person. Just meet me at the cafe.”

—

I got there before her, grabbing a table in the corner. My mind was a mess of possibilities, none of them good. The waitress brought over a coffee, but my hands were shaking too much to lift it. It felt like an eternity before I saw her w