The seminar had ended earlier than expected, and deep down, he also wanted to see her again. He felt they had grown a little distant, and he thought the gesture might help.
Không có mô tả ảnh.
Despite his fatigue, he drove straight from the airport to his house with a faint smile, already imagining the look of surprise on her face when she opened the door.
But when he arrived in front of the house, something felt strange. Everything was dark. Absolute silence.
Up until that moment, she could have been asleep.
But as soon as he got out of the car, he realized something was wrong. The garage was open and Clare’s car wasn’t there. That tightened his chest.
He tried to rationalize it. Maybe she was at a pharmacy or with a friend.
He went inside without turning on the lights. He walked straight into the hallway and stopped there, in the dimness. The silence was so intense that every step echoed.
That was when he took his phone out of his pocket and called.
Clare answered on the second ring, her voice hoarse, as if she had just woken up.
“Hello.”
“Hi, darling. Did I wake you?”
He took a deep breath, trying to sound natural.
“I was sleeping, yes. I’m already closing my eyes again.”
Jack remained silent for two seconds, controlling his breathing.
“Are you at home?”
Clare didn’t hesitate.
“Of course I am, Jack. Where else would I be at this hour?”
He walked toward their bedroom without answering immediately. He looked at the dark room, knowing she wasn’t there.
“Alright,” he replied calmly. “I just called to hear your voice. I’m going to sleep. I’ll be back on Sunday.”
