Chapter 0101

MAE

Our phones, switched off? I know I switched mine off, I stare behind me at Ryder, before looking back at the lake.

"Why are your phones switched off?" Sin's voice holds a mix of concern and frustration, which makes me pause for a moment.

"I'm sorry," I respond, trying to keep the conversation calm. "I just needed some time to think things through."

There's a brief silence on the other end of the line. I can almost picture Sin running his hand through his hair, a sign of his impatience or stress I've come to recognize over the past few weeks. "I get that, Mae, but you could have just told me. I was worried about you," he finally says, his voice softening slightly.

"....."

"I am sorry, I didn't mean to -"

"It's fine," I brush it off, not wanting to remember how he had reacted earlier.

"No, it's not fine, Mae. I am sorry for how I reacted before. You deserve better than that. I was just stressed and I took it out on you, which wasn’t fair," Sin’s voice comes through.

"Alright," I r