Jefferson's POV
The sound of my phone buzzing cut through the heavy silence like a blade. I clenched my jaw, already knowing who it would be before I even glanced at the screen. Alana's name flashed back at me, and every instinct told me to ignore it.
"I seriously do not know what your problem is, you royal asshole—"
Her voice grated against my already frayed nerves. I cut her off before she could finish whatever tirade she had planned.
"I am not in the mood for this today."
The call ended with a sharp beep, leaving me staring at the darkened screen. Why had I even bothered answering? After everything that happened with Elisabeth, after making the choice to walk away from her, Cathrine had looked at me with such disappointment. Those eyes had seen right through me, straight to the monster everyone else already knew I was. The judgment in her gaze had cut deeper than I cared to admit.
