Six years hadn't dulled the familiarity of his voice. It cut through me like a blade, sharp and unforgiving.
I struggled to keep my voice steady, but emotion clogged my throat. For a moment, I stayed silent. On the other end, he said nothing either, as if waiting.
"Is this... Aubrey?" he finally asked, his tone cautious.
"You got married to Nathan's daughter?" The words spilled out, bitter and cold.
Silence. My grip tightened on the phone. I could hear faint laughter in the background—cheerful voices and the sound of someone calling Cayden's name. It was a woman's voice.
Then, the sound of a door closing, followed by the faint howl of the wind. He must have stepped outside.
"Aubrey," he said, his voice soft, almost pleading, "I've been so busy these days. Will you give me a chance to explain?"
He didn't deny it. The truth hung between us, heavy and suffocating.
My throat tightened as I ended the call without another word.
***
I walked back to the bedroom, my chest tight with a mix of anger and sorrow. The villa, with its pristine luxury, suddenly felt suffocating. I pushed open the window, letting the cool evening air wash over me, but it didn't help.