Asher’s POV
The screen of my phone glared back at me—empty. No message. No call. Nothing from Bella. My jaw tightened as I set it down a little harder than I meant to, the thud echoing in the quiet room. Weeks. It’s been weeks, and still silence.
My thoughts twisted the same way they always did when she ignored me—straight to Zachary. Maybe she was with him now, laughing, whispering, forgetting I even existed. The thought coiled like poison in my stomach. I raked a hand through my hair and let out a long, frustrated sigh.
A sharp knock at the door snapped me out of it. Before I could answer, Michael slipped inside. His face told me everything before he even spoke—bad news.
“What’s the matter?” My voice was calm, but inside I braced myself.
“Asher,” Michael began, voice tight, “nothing
