Chapter 23

CHARLES stared at the phone vibrating on the kitchen counter, the name flashing insistently across the screen.

**Shantel.**

He exhaled slowly, rubbing a hand over his face before swiping to answer.

“What do you want, Shantel?”

Her breath rushed through the line, uneven, emotional.

“Charles… thank God. You finally picked.”

“That doesn’t answer my question,” he said flatly.

“I—” she sniffed. “I just needed to hear your voice.”

He leaned against the counter, eyes lifting briefly to the framed engagement photo propped beside the coffee machine. He turned the phone slightly, as if the distance might help.

“You shouldn’t be calling me.”

“Please don’t say that,” Shantel rushed. “I have been trying for days. You blocked my other number.”

“For a reason.”

Her laugh came out shaky.

“You are still like this. Always serious.” Then her tone softened. “I miss you, Charles. I miss us.”

“There