The minutes felt like hours as I sat on the couch, staring blankly at my phone. My thoughts raced, a whirlwind of confusion and anger. Where had Nicolas been? If he wasn’t with Stella or me, then who else was there?
Stella's parting words echoed in my head.
“I just hope it’s not something that would hurt us.”
I sighed deeply as I picked up my phone again, my fingers trembling as I scrolled through my contacts. Nicolas’s name stared back at me, taunting me, daring me to press call. This time, I wouldn’t let hesitation win.
I hit dial.
The line rang once, twice, three times, until his voicemail clicked in.
“Damn it, Nicolas!” I whispered angrily, my voice trembling with frustration. Where was he? And why hadn’t he contacted me in days?
The unanswered questions clawed at me, demanding
