Nellie’s POV
The buzzing of the phone in the pocket of my uniform pulled me out of the trance I was in while organizing files at the Silver Creek clinic. The place was quiet that afternoon, with the sun filtering through the windows and the smell of disinfectant filling the air. I pulled out the phone, expecting a routine message, but the name on the screen made my heart skip a beat. It was a message from Caleb. I opened the text with trembling fingers, and the words hit me like a momentary relief: “Hil, I’m sorry, I have urgent matters to attend to. I have to cancel dinner tonight. We’ll talk soon.”
I let out a sigh, my body relaxing for an instant. I wouldn’t have to face him tonight, not after what had happened earlier. The visit from the stranger, who had introduced herself as my
