“It’s okay,” Meave replied through the video call.
Her voice was calm, but she still avoided looking directly at him. Her eyes shifted somewhere else, like she was trying to escape something she couldn’t explain. Earl noticed it right away. He wasn’t clueless anymore. He already understood that her condition—her haphephobia—was not something simple.
“You better get some rest too, Earl,” she added softly. “Thank you for taking care of Emman.”
Earl gave a small nod.
“Goodnight, Ms. Castillon,” he replied, trying to sound normal.
Then he ended the call.
The room suddenly felt quiet.
Too quiet.
Earl stood there for a moment, staring at his unfinished painting. His hand slowly dropped to his side, and his mind began to wander.
Questions filled his head.
To what extent would he go for
