The following morning, Jessica’s phone buzzed incessantly on the bedside table. She hesitated before picking it up, knowing the only person who would call her directly was her mother. Taking a deep breath, she answered, keeping her voice low so as not to wake Alvaro.
“Mom,” she greeted, her tone neutral.
“Jessica, darling,” her mother’s warm voice filled the silence. “I’ve been trying to reach you for days. Are you all right? You sound tired.”
Jessica hesitated, glancing at the door as though expecting Armando to walk in at any moment. “I’m fine, just… busy with Alvaro.”
Her mother sighed. “Listen, sweetheart. I’ve been thinking. You should come to Japan, at least for a little while. Alvaro needs a change of scenery, and so do you. It would do both of you good.”
Jessica’s hear
