Anna's POV
The sudden chime of Marcus's phone still echoed in my mind as I stared at him, momentarily frozen. My thoughts raced at impossible speed, trying to process what had just happened. It couldn't be the timing was too perfect, too coincidental. I'd just texted my mystery lover, and Marcus's phone had immediately chimed with a notification.
I forced myself to take a breath, to think logically. The room felt suddenly airless, the soft lamplight that had seemed comforting moments ago now felt exposing.
Marcus had picked up his phone casually, glancing at the screen with no particular reaction before setting it back down. Now he was answering another call, his voice low and measured despite his injury.
"It's been handled," he said into the phone. "Peter will be here shortly."
