Irvin's POV
**Hurt For Hurt?**
"I have news about the Hughes," the voice said.
I went completely still.
My mouth turned to sandpaper, and suddenly I couldn't remember how to draw breath.
I forced myself to swallow. "I uh..." my voice broke. I stopped. The sound of my heartbeat thundered in my ears.
Yes, I had second-guessed myself and requested the search to keep going.
Just for certainty. Just to confirm she was breathing and well.
The uncertainty was destroying me from the inside. The questions, the scenarios spinning endlessly through my mind. If I could just verify their safety, perhaps my chest would stop this relentless throbbing. Perhaps I could finally face the truth and get past this.
"Are they breathing?" I managed, attempting to sound steady despite the shake in my words.
"Yes. They're well. They relocated. They're in a to—"
"I don't need to know," I interrupted sharply, my tone turning ice-cold.
