Callie's POV
The first thing I noticed was the silence.
My mother had called me that morning, but instead of her usual cheerful greeting, there had been a strange pause after I answered.
“Callie?”
“Mom?”
“I need you to listen to me before you start worrying.”
My stomach dropped.
Nobody ever started a conversation like that unless there was something worth worrying about.
I sat up against the headboard. “What happened?”
“Nothing has happened to you. Your father is fine.”
“Then why do you sound like that?”
Another pause.
I pulled the blanket away and got out of bed. “Mom?”
“We may have to sell some of the properties.”
I stopped moving.
“What?”
“Callie, please don't panic.”
“Why would you say that and then tell me not to panic?”
“Because your father is doing everything possi
