Chapter 52.

CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO NORA CARUSO The silence sat on my chest, heavy and suffocating, counting the seconds along with me. It’s been seventy-two hours turned into ninety-six, four days since Nikolai left. And in those four days? Nothing. I sat on the edge of my childhood bed, my knees pulled up to my chest, staring at the phone resting on the duvet. My hand trembled as I reached for the phone. I couldn't take it anymore, the pride that usually kept my spine stiff had eroded, worn down by the crushing insecurity Renata had planted in my head yesterday. He couldn't take his eyes off me. I needed to hear his voice, I needed to hear him say my name, just to prove he hadn't gone back to her in his mind. I unlocked the screen, and I scrolled to his contact. I pressed the call button before I could talk myself out of it, and I lifted the phone to my ear, my heart hammering against my ribs. It started ringing. Please pick up, just pick up. Tell me you're busy, tell me you're annoyed. Just be there.