A Desperate Plea and a Shocking Revelation

## Hazel's POV

Three days of silence from Sebastian had left me anxious. I kept checking my phone, hoping for a message that never came. The busy workday at the design studio helped distract me, but every time my phone buzzed, my heart leapt.

When I finally saw his name on my screen during lunch break, I nearly dropped my sandwich.

"Sebastian?" I answered immediately.

His deep voice came through the line, warming me despite my lingering hurt. "Hazel. I'm sorry for disappearing."

"Three days without a word," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "That's more than 'disappearing.'"

He sighed. "I know. I handled things badly."

"You could say that." I set down my food, appetite gone. "A business trip out of nowhere?"

"It wasn't a lie," Sebastian said. "But I admit I could have stayed in town if I'd wanted to."

At least he was being honest now. "Then why leave?"