Chapter 22 Seconds

"Happy birthday, Mrs. Winston." A crisp and clear voice drifted from the phone. For some reason, Daniel felt the rage which had been engulfing his senses the whole day dissipate on the spot upon hearing the birthday wishes.

He raised his head to glance at his mother, who was still in the kitchen. Then, he said slowly, "I didn't expect you to remember Mom's birthday. Aren't you planning to drop by for a visit?"

Silence ensued in the next second. In fact, all traces of noise disappeared from Rebecca's end of the line all of a sudden. Daniel pulled the phone away to glance at the screen, a frown gracing his features. It showed that he was still on the call.

"Rebecca?"

The man was about to say something which would certainly ease the tension between him and Rebecca when he heard a series of beeps which echoed rhythmically. It appeared that Rebecca had hung up on him.

The call had lasted for 29 seconds altogether.

The frown on Daniel's face deepened as he stared at his screen, which g