The call came the next morning.
From an unknown number.
She hesitated before answering.
“Hello?”
“Mrs. Bennett?”
Her heart stopped at the name.
“This is the clinic. Your test results came back slightly elevated. It’s nothing alarming, but the doctor would like you to come in tomorrow.”
Her throat tightened.
“Elevated how?”
“Just precautionary. Please don’t worry.”
Don’t worry.
As if that were possible.
She hung up slowly.
And without thinking —
She called Lucien.
It rang twice.
“Aira?”
His voice was sharper than usual.
“I need you to do something,” she said.
No greeting.
No explanation.
“What?”
She closed her eyes.
“I need you to return the key.”
Silence.
That wasn’t what he expected.
“Why?” he asked carefully.
“Because you keep walking in.”
“I wouldn’t if you w
