Chapter 44

Scarlett's POV The silence on the line grew heavier each time I hit redial. I stood in the corner of the study, phone pressed against my ear, listening to the hollow ringing. No answer. Again. I lowered my phone, staring at the darkened screen as if it might give me an explanation if I glared hard enough. This was new to me. Normally, he would answer right away if I called, since I wouldn't contact him unless I needed his help. Did something happen on his end? I couldn't help but feel worried. After all, he wasn't the type to ignore calls without a reason. I dialed again. One ring. Two. Three. Still nothing. I sighed, exhaling slowly through my nose and resisted the temptation to throw my phone onto the desk. "Still nothing?" a voice asked from the doorway. Lucien. None other than him. Who else would come to this room if it wasn't him or Kathleen? I looked up at him as his frame filled the entrance like a living shadow, a bundle of parchment envelopes tucked under his arm—it seemed he