Alex.
I couldn't understand what was taking Philip so long.
Three hours had already passed, and still, nothing. No solid lead. No confirmation. Just silence that stretched longer than I was willing to tolerate. It gnawed at me, slowly wearing down the thin thread of patience I had left.
Ella was out there, somewhere and every passing moment without her only made things worse.
With a quiet exhale, I turned away from the window and headed toward my room. Maybe rest would help clear my thoughts, if only for a while.
The moment I stepped inside, her voice greeted me.
"Darling, I have been waiting for you!"
Eva.
I couldn't help the small smile that formed on my lips as I saw her. She stood there so effortlessly, her presence warm, familiar, comforting in a way I hadn't realized I needed.
"Sorry I took a long time, love," I said as I walked toward her, pulling her into a brief embrace.
Her body melted into mine easily, naturally, as though it belonged there.
