Chapter 74

Jacob POV

I count down the seconds while Emily’s phone rings on and on. Just when I’m about to hang up, her exasperated voice says, “Hello.”

I’ve been trying to get hold of her the entire day and all my calls thus far have gone unanswered.

“Where have you been? I’ve been trying to call the whole day,” I say.

She says nothing.

“Emily, are you there?” I ask.

“Yes, I’m here,” she responds.

“Look, I don’t want to fight with you. I just want you back home. Liam misses you… I miss you,” I say, now feeling fragile and alone.

“I miss you too. I just can’t come home right now,” she says. Her voice sounds detached.

“Why not? Where are you? I’ll come get you,” I say, desperate to know where she is.

“Jacob, please, I can’t do this with you now. I have to go,” she says.

Holding her delicate engagement ring in the palm of my hand, I ask her, “Why did you leave your ring on the bedside table?”

“I must have forgotten it,” she mumbles. I know her well enough by now to tell that she’s lying.