Meanwhile, Roman sat in his car, parked along the quiet stretch of road. The engine ticked softly as it cooled, the faint hum filling the silence.
He dialed again and pressed the phone tight to his ear, his jaw clenched. "Why are you not answering?" he muttered under his breath, his grip tightening around the device.
The call rang out. No answer. He tried again and again. Each unanswered ring stretched his patience thinner, his thoughts spiraling faster.
With a sharp exhale, he pulled the phone away and opened the message thread. The glow from the screen lit his face as his thumbs moved quickly.
Why are you not replying to my messages? You saw that and ignored me? Damn it. Is this proof I shouldn't have trusted you?
He hit send, then waited. Nothing. The message showed as delivered, the two green ticks staring back at him.
