The call came during lunch. Unknown number. Leighton almost didn't answer.
"Hello?"
"Leighton? It's Dad."
The fork slipped from her hand. Clattered against her plate. The world tilted.
"Leighton? You there?"
She couldn't speak. Couldn't breathe. Eighteen years of silence and now this. His voice. Older. Rougher. But unmistakably him.
"I saw your promotion online. Meridian Architecture. That's impressive. I wanted to reach out. See if maybe we could talk."
Her throat closed. "I have to go."
She hung up. Stared at her phone. It rang again. Same number. She declined. It rang again.
She turned it off. Set it on her desk. Pressed her palms against her eyes.
By the time Noah found her, she was crying. Silent tears streaming down her face. He knelt beside her chair. Took her hands.
"Wha
