Oliver's POV
I noticed my main phone vibrating on the nightstand. I reached for it, my fingers trembling. The caller ID flashed her name. I took a deep breath, forcing myself to breathe, and swallowed the raw pain that threatened to choke me. I had to compose myself.
I answered the call, my voice sounding hollow even to my own ears.
"Hello?"
"Oliver?" Her voice came through the line, sounding so sweet, so light, as if she hadn't just offered her soul to a monster. "Hey, listen… please tell the driver not to wait up for me. I have a lot of things to do at the apartment, and it might take longer than I thought. Once I'm done, I'll just drive myself back to the packhouse. Okay?"
I closed my eyes, the lie burning me more than the whiskey ever could. She was so calm. So good in her act.
"I understand," I said, my tone flat. "Be careful, Aurora."
"I will. Love you!" she said, and then the line went dead.
