Chapter 13
Chapter 13
The harsh words turned Callias’s casual demeanor ice cold.
Fearing an argument, his stepmother quickly intervened.
“These business dinners involve drinking. Why are you being so hard on him?” She turned to Callias softly. “You look sick, honey. Let me make you some peppermint tea with honey,”
His good mood shattered, Callias had no patience for pretense. “Don’t bother,” he muttered, heading upstairs.
After a cold shower, his stomach cramped violently.
He ransacked his medicine cabinet, finding only an empty bottle of Pepto–Bismol. Frustrated, he slammed his fist on
the marble counter.
Sweat mingled with shower water on his forehead as he gripped the counter edge.
As he opened his door to head to the drugstore, he nearly collided with his stepmother carrying a tray.
“Here’s some tea and Tums. It’ll help. I’ll talk to your father – just get some rest.”
Hiding his pain, Callias nodded and took the tray back to his room.
As the door closed, his hands shook, spilling tea. The scent of peppermint filled the room.
He collapsed, staring at the steaming cup without reaching for it.
When the pain subsided slightly, he stumbled to the bathroom and poured it out.
Watching the liquid disappear, his stomach somehow felt better.
He dropped the cup in the sink and fell onto his bed, wet hair soaking the Egyptian cotton pillowcase.
Time passed until the pain finally eased.
Opening bloodshot eyes, he called his mother in Paris.
Ring after ring echoed through the empty room.
No answer – just a text from her assistant:
“Mr. Harrison, Ms. Sinclair is in meetings. She’ll return your call afterward.”
Reading each word, tears welled in his eyes.
At 11 PM, she finally called, asking what he wanted.
Callias fell silent.
Jaim My Own Life
71.5%
Chapter 13
Looking at the circled date on his calendar, his voice cracked.
“Mom, it’s my birthday soon. Could you come-”
“I’m working that day. Tell Helen what you want as a gift. It’s late there- get some sleep. Goodbye.”
She hung up before he could respond.
Work. Always work.
Staring at the dark screen, he gripped his sheets until his knuckles went white.
Fighting tears, he pressed a pillow against his face until he could barely breathe.
At midnight, he finally got up.
After washing his face, he turned off his lights and slipped out.
Down the hall to her room.
This time, Callias didn’t need a key – the door opened easily.
His dark mood lifted slightly.
The room felt different – too quiet, no familiar hum of the AC.
Her usual Jo Malone diffuser wasn’t on. It felt wrong.
He moved to her bed by memory, reaching under the covers.
Empty.
He checked the other side. Nothing.
Where was she?
Out at this hour?
His face darkened at the thought.
He texted Skylar a single question mark.
A second later – a notification.
Not a reply.
Message undeliverable.
Seeing the red exclamation mark, Callias realized she still had him blocked.
Still angry?
T–Declaim My Own Life
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Chapter 13
But this morning had seemed fine….
Growing more agitated, he curled up in her bed.
The familiar scent of her jasmine perfume finally eased his furrowed brow.
Sleep began to take him.
