20
~Velma’s POV
I took the phone from Jaden gently and pressed it to my ear, forcing a small smile that felt heavier than it should.
“Hi, sweetheart,” I said softly.
Theron’s voice came through warm and familiar. “Hey, love.”
He paused almost immediately. “Why did Jaden say you are coming back home?”
“It is nothing,” I replied too quickly. “Just… plans changing.”
There was silence on the line, the kind that told me he was looking past my words. He always did that. He knew me too well.
“Velma,” he said calmly, “there is something. Tell me what really happened.”
I closed my eyes and shook my head even though he could not see me yet. My throat felt tight. The words were stuck somewhere deep, refusing to come out.
He exhaled slowly. “Look at me,” he said. “Switch to video.”
I hesita
