"May I speak with Sarah, Jay?"
The request hung in the air, weighted with a quiet authority that instantly set Jayden's edge on fire. Anthony offered no preamble, no cushioning explanation to ease the sudden tension—just a calm, unyielding demand that left his son standing in a fog of sheer bewilderment. Out of nowhere, his father had called, bypassing all customary pleasantries, solely to request an audience with Sarah.
Jayden let out a long, heavy exhale—a slow release of built-up frustration—and immediately launched into damage control. His mind raced, constructing defenses and seeking leverage. Pushing himself up from the sofa, he took several deliberate steps away from Sarah, craving distance to erect a sanctuary of privacy where he could interrogate the voice on the line without subjecting her to the fallout.
