Chapter 45

• When Sylvia got home, Stephan was not back yet. She felt a sense of relief wash over her; the house was quiet, and she could take a moment to unwind.
• Without hesitation, she walked straight into her room, shedding the weight of the day with her clothes. The thought of a warm shower beckoned her, and she made her way to the bathroom, feeling the stress of her recent days begin to dissipate.
• As she was about to turn on the water, her phone buzzed loudly on the bed, startling her. An unknown number flashed on the screen. She hesitated; her instinct was to ignore calls from unsaved numbers, but something made her pause. The ringing stopped, only to start again almost immediately. Curiosity getting the better of her, she picked it up and answered.