Chapter 153

Silence stretched between them. Elodie took slow, measured breaths, her gaze locked on his. Just as she opened her mouth to speak, a shrill ring pierced the air. It was her phone, forgotten in her purse on the floor. The unexpected interruption broke the spell. Ari rose from her, his face illuminated by the soft lamplight, his features etched with a mix of desire and a flicker of disappointment. Elodie’s gaze darted to the phone, recognising the call. ‘It’s probably just my brother,’ she mumbled, reaching for it. Ari, who had already glimpsed the name on the screen, retrieved the phone and handed it to her. The fire that had ignited in his heart moments ago seemed to slowly extinguish, replaced by a sense of calm, almost relief. It was as if the charged exchange they’d just shared never happened. Ari turned away, the tension draining from his body like water down a drain. He grabbed her scattered belongings, a silent acknowledgement of their interrupted moment. ‘Gabe?’ Elodie answered