Chapter 2: One Word, Four Calls, and a Voice from the Past
**Part 2 ⬇️**
That single word — "Fine." — was the last message I sent to the family group chat.
Then I opened my laptop and started making calls.
The meeting around me continued.
I nodded when my supervisor looked my way.
But my hands were already moving.
First call: Cedar Grove Estate.
"This is the account holder on contract number 4471.
I need to discuss the payment terms."
The coordinator paused.
"Of course, Mr.—"
"I'll be exercising the cancellation clause.
Section 7.
The one that transfers all liability back to the secondary contact if the primary withdraws funding."
Silence.
"Sir, the wedding is in four days."
"I'm aware."
Second call: the florist.
Third: the catering company.
Every contract had my name at the top.
Every contract had a clause Julian never bothered to read because he assumed I would never use it.
He was wrong.
My phone buzzed.
Mom.
I let it ring.
It buzzed again.
Julian this time.
Then Chloe.
Then a number I didn't recognize — but the name that appeared in the preview of the voicemail stopped me cold.
It was someone I hadn't spoken to in six years.
Someone who, according to my parents, wanted nothing to do with our family.
Someone they told me had chosen to disappear.
The message was four words long.
*"We need to talk."*
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What this person reveals changes everything — and Julian has no idea they've made contact.
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