The shrill ring of my phone sliced through the quiet.At first, it didn’t register because I was still floating in that hazy space between sleep and reality, tangled in sheets, the city’s hum just a faint backdrop. But the phone kept ringing. Relentless. Sharp. Like it knew today wasn’t going to be ordinary.I cracked my eyes open. Sunlight speared through the blinds, painting harsh lines across the ceiling. The phone buzzed again, vibrating against the nightstand like it was trying to leap into my hands.Groaning, I reached for it.Rita.Why was Rita calling at—I squinted at the clock. 6:43 AM.Something must be wrong.Before I could answer, another buzz. A text this time.Rita: Helen, pick up. It’s bad.My stomach dropped. I sat up, sheets pooling around my waist, heart thudding as I answered the call.“Rita?”“Oh, thank God. Helen, are you up? You need to see this. Right now.”“What’s going on?” My voice was hoarse, laced with the remnants of last night’s Merlot and too little
Last Updated : 2025-08-08 Read more