PHILIP POV
I paced around my room, with worry marked upon my face. I couldn't wait any longer to hear that Ariel has drowned at the pool of her parents house. My feet moved restlessly, trying to keep pace with the mileage my mind was running, fueled by happiness, uncertainty, and even the crippling possibility of a life without Ariel again.
Each passing moment seemed like an eternity; every tick of the clock made my anxiety grew, my senses became heightened, and each breath felt like labor.
This was getting frantic by the minute, and I quickly reached for my phone and dialed the number of a well-thought-of spy and confidant, Derick-someone whose professionalism and discretion I fully trusted.
"Hello, Derick," I said, urgency, concern, and a hint of desperation all filtering into my voi
