This time, though, the moment he stepped through the door, something felt off. The house was too quiet.
He glanced around, and his stomach dropped. Rachel's things—her slippers, her mug—were gone. Vanished.
His heart sank. He yanked out his phone and dialed her number. "The number you have reached is temporarily unavailable…"
A chill ran through him. He sent a voice message: "Babe, come on, you're playing runaway now?"
A red exclamation mark popped up beside the message. He'd been blocked.
Derek's face darkened. For the first time, Rachel wasn't playing along.
He raked a hand through his hair, frustrated, and started toward the stairs. The housekeeper approached, holding a box, her voice cautious. "Sir, this came from Rachel."
Derek snatched it, tearing it open. On top was a letter.
