Chapter 177. Breaking the News

Calla’s brows pulled together slightly, like she hadn’t heard him properly. “An accident?” she repeated, her voice barely above a whisper.

Neither officer spoke immediately. The one holding the phone stepped forward slightly toward her. “We came here directly,” he said, his tone calm but firm. “Mr. Romano is known to us… and we were informed that you’re the one closest to him.”

Calla’s eyes flicked up from the phone to his face. “Informed?” she echoed faintly.

The officer gave a small nod. “Yes," he said. "We were told to speak with you.”

Calla heard him, she saw his lips move, she knew he had just said something important, but her body didn’t respond. Her mind felt slow, like it was trying to catch up to words it refused to understand. Her chest tightened, her fingers curling slightly at her sides.