She barely got the words out before Ethan's phone shrilled in his pocket. He fumbled for it, glanced at the screen. The ringtone cut sharply through the tender moment. Then it rang again. And again. And again. The third time, Mara's jaw tightened, her gaze locking onto the phone in his hand. It was vibrating so hard now that it looked like it might leap out of his grip.
"Please," she said, her voice tight, not unkind but firm, laced with weariness. "Answer it."
Ethan looked at her then, really looked, as if deciding whether to let her in or shut her out for good. There was something pained in his expression, a hesitation that made Mara's stomach twist.
But finally, he swiped the screen, lifted the phone to his ear.
"Hey, boss—yeah, it's Jonathan," the voice crackled over the line. Ethan's face tightened, jaw working.
"Is that case settled?" Ethan asked, his voice clipped, careful, glancing once at Mara and the twins.
