Chapter 0042

MAE

"I understand the situation, but this is delicate. We can't just... Yes, I know the stakes," he continues, his voice now a mix of frustration and worry.

The mention of informing me about something catches my full attention. My heart starts pounding harder, and questions swirling in my mind. What is it that he feels the need to tell me, and who is on the other end of that call pushing for a different approach?

He sighs, "Fine, just make sure everything is set for when we get there. Mae shouldn't have to worry about anything else right now," he adds, his tone softening slightly, hinting at a concern for my well-being that feels both comforting and alarming.

As he wraps up the call, "We'll discuss this later."

I quickly step back, making a bit of noise to seem like I just arrived. I don't want him to know I've been eavesdropping, afraid it might upset him since the call sounded personal, but my heart is racing, filled with both dread and an aching need to know what's being hidden fro