Mai POV
Immediately the call with Ian ended, I turned on my Bluetooth and connected to my car speakers. I needed this moment—needed to hear her scream with that ridiculous, high-pitched glee that only emerged when Ian’s name came up. That woman never hid her obsession with him. Not when we were together, not even after everything went to hell.
I leaned back into my seat, exhaled sharply, and unbuckled my seat belt. My heart was racing, the weight of the last twenty minutes sitting heavy on my chest. I dragged a hand through my hair, trying to pull myself back together. I tapped her number and pressed the call button.
“C’mon… pick up, Mom,” I muttered, my fingers rhythmically tapping the steering wheel. “Don’t fail me now.”
The line clicked.
“Mai!” Her voice immediately erupted with ex
