Later, after tucking the exhausted children into bed, Maya retreats to her room, her hands shaking as she pulls out the hidden phone.
She dials Yuri's number, pressing the device so hard against her ear that it hurts.
Each unanswered ring sends a fresh wave of panic through her body.
One call. Two calls. Five calls. Ten calls.
"The number you're trying to reach is currently unavailable. Please leave a message after the tone..."
"Yuri," she whispers into the phone, her voice cracking. "Please, please pick up. Something's wrong. The children... they're so scared, and Jackson... I need you. Please call me back."
She ends the call and immediately dials again, her heart racing faster with each failed attempt.
After what feels like hours of trying, Maya drops the phone onto her lap, run
