Unexpected

Marian's POV

The text from Jayden came late that night, a simple, almost understated message that sent my heart racing despite my better judgment.

"Can we talk? Please?"

I stared at my phone, the words blurring as I reread them. A part of me wanted to ignore it, to delete the message and pretend it never arrived. But another part—one I wasn't proud of—wondered what he could possibly have to say.

It wasn't long before my phone buzzed again, this time with a follow-up message.

"Marian, it was all a mistake. Please, I need to explain."

Against my better judgment, I replied with a curt: "What do you want?"

A few minutes later, my phone rang. I hesitated before answering, my stomach knotting as his voice came through the line, soft and careful, as though he were treading on eggshells.

"Marian, thank you for picking up," Jayden began, his tone lacking the arrogance I had grown so accustomed to. "I—I just need a moment to explain myself."