Sophia woke to three missed calls.
All from the same number.
She already knew who it was.
She sat on the edge of her bed and stared at the screen. The first message had arrived at 5:42 a.m.
CALL US.
The second came six minutes later.
THIS IS ABOUT YOUR BROTHER.
Her stomach tightened.
She called immediately.
The line connected after one ring.
"You're awake."
Sophia said nothing.
A man's voice came through the phone.
"You've been ignoring your instructions."
"I've been working."
"That's not what we asked."
Sophia looked toward the window.
Morning light was beginning to spread across Valenridge.
"What do you want?"
"We want Sebastian."
Her fingers tightened around the phone.
"You know what the assignment is."
"I know."
"Then why haven't you made progress?"
Sophia closed her eyes.
Because she couldn't tell them the truth.
Because every time she tried to get closer to Sebastian, she remembered Vivian.
She remembered the woman's kindness.
