18: Over her

Ethan's POV

Brnng! Brnggg!

I jolted awake to the shrill sound of my phone vibrating against the nightstand. My head pounded like someone was driving nails into my skull. I groaned, rubbing my eyes, struggling to focus on the glaring light of my phone screen. The numbers were a blur, and it took a moment before I could make out the name flashing across the screen: Jenkins.

"Yeah," I grunted into the phone, my voice hoarse and laced with irritation.

"Milord," Jenkins's voice was formal, but there was an edge of confusion. "You called me an hour ago. Said it was urgent, but then the call cut off. Is everything alright?"

I paused, trying to piece together the shattered fragments of my memory from the last few hours. My brain was a foggy mess, clouded by the alcohol I had downed in a pathetic attempt to drown out the gnawing pain that had taken root in my chest. What the hell had I called him for?