Aurora's POV
I let the phone ring three times before answering it. That was important.
Too fast and I’d look desperate. Too slow and he’d think I was slipping away.
I needed him to be confident. And also needed him to be careless.
“Hello?” I said softly, like my voice might break if I spoke any louder.
There it was, the pause on the other end. Jake always paused when he thought he had control.
“Aurora,” he said, warm and careful. “I didn’t think you’d answer.”
“I almost didn’t,” I whispered. “But… I’m glad you called.”
That was the first lie of the night.
He exhaled, slow and relieved, like a man settling into a chair: he believed I still belonged to him.
“I’ve been worried about you.”
Of course you have, I thought. Worried I stopped needing you.
“I’ve been thinking a lot,” I
