Chapter 21 Rude Person

Alicia Davenport My phone vibrated against the desk, the sound echoing in my silent office. I tore my eyes away from the half-finished sketch in front of me, glancing at the caller ID. Daniel. I stared at the screen, my heart clenching painfully. For a split second, I considered answering. I considered hearing his voice, maybe even letting myself believe—for just a moment—that things could go back to the way they were. But I knew better. I bit my lip, my fingers hesitating over the screen before I finally pressed ‘Reject.’ The screen went dark. My chest felt heavier. With a deep breath, I picked up my pen and forced my attention back to the blueprint I had been sketching for a client. But the lines blurred together, and no matter how much I tried to focus, my mind kept drifting. I placed the pen down with an exasperated sigh, rubbing my temples. "This is the worst year of my life," I muttered to myself. Before I could drown further in my thoughts, my office door swung open.