Julia's POV
I slammed my camera off the moment I saw Mom's face appear on my screen, my heart hammering against my ribs. She looked exhausted, sitting in what appeared to be a hotel room with her hair pulled back carelessly and dark circles under her eyes. The genuine worry in her voice when she spoke made my chest tighten with guilt.
"Julia sweetheart," she said softly, and the concern in her tone nearly broke me. "Why did you turn off your camera? I need to see that you're okay."
"I was just heading to the bathroom when you called," I lied, forcing my voice to stay steady even though it trembled slightly. "I grabbed my phone so you wouldn't think I was avoiding you."
