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Chapter 42— THE SUMMONS

Rach's pen
last update Zuletzt aktualisiert: 29.12.2025 03:47:30

LIAM’S POV

The drive home from the restaurant felt long. The city lights blurred. My head was full of Clara’s voice, her stories, the careful way she had looked at me. But underneath it was a current of shame. I had gone. I had sat there. I had let her talk about a future.

All I wanted now was Maya. I needed to see her face. I needed to tell her it meant nothing. That she was my only future.

I parked and took the stairs two at a time. I pushed open the apartment door.

“Maya?”

The living room was dark. The kitchen light was off. A nightlight glowed from the corner where Leo slept, his breathing deep and even. But the sofa was empty. The blanket was folded.

“Maya?” I called again, quieter.

Nothing.

A cold finger traced my spine. I checked the bathroom. Empty. My bedroom. Empty.

She was gone.

My heart started a hard, fast rhythm against my ribs. I pulled out my phone and called her. It rang once, then clicked off. Straight to voicemail. I called again. Same thing.

“No, no, no,” I muttere
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