<p>Part 2 — THE CALL</p><p><br/></p><p><br/></p><p><br/></p><p>Elora could not speak.</p><p><br/></p><p>For three years, she had imagined what it would feel like to hear Kian voice again.</p><p><br/></p><p>She had imagined anger.</p><p><br/></p><p>She had imagined tears.</p><p><br/></p><p>She had imagined hanging up without saying a word.</p><p><br/></p><p>But she never imagined this.</p><p><br/></p><p>What did you just say?</p><p><br/></p><p>Kian took a slow breath.</p><p><br/></p><p>I said I know what happened that night.</p><p><br/></p><p>Elora stood up from the bed. Her legs felt weak.</p><p><br/></p><p> You do not know anything, she whispered.</p><p><br/></p><p>I do.</p><p><br/></p><p>No.</p><p><br/></p><p>Elora, listen to me.</p><p><br/></p><p>You left!</p><p><br/></p><p>Her voice broke.</p><p><br/></p><p>You left without giving me a chance to explain. You ignored my calls. You blocked my number. Then you disappeared.</p><p><br/></p><p>I know.</p><p><br/></p><p>You do not get to call me after three years and suddenly say you know what happened.</p><p><br/></p><p>I know, he said quietly.</p><p><br/></p><p>She gave a bitter laugh.</p><p><br/></p><p>You always knew how to say the right things when you wanted me to forgive you.</p><p><br/></p><p>I did not call to ask for forgiveness.</p><p><br/></p><p>Elora went silent.</p><p><br/></p><p>Then why did you call?</p><p><br/></p><p>There was a long pause.</p><p><br/></p><p>Because I should have listened to you that night.</p><p><br/></p><p>Elora closed her eyes.</p><p><br/></p><p>The memory came rushing back.</p><p><br/></p><p>Three years ago.</p><p><br/></p><p>A rainy Friday night.</p><p><br/></p><p>Kian standing in front of her apartment.</p><p><br/></p><p>The photograph in his hand.</p><p><br/></p><p>His angry voice.</p><p><br/></p><p>Her tears.</p><p><br/></p><p>Her desperate attempts to explain.</p><p><br/></p><p>And then, the lie that destroyed everything.</p><p><br/></p><p>Elora opened her eyes.</p><p><br/></p><p>You still believe the photograph?</p><p><br/></p><p>No.</p><p><br/></p><p>Her heart skipped.</p><p><br/></p><p>“What?”</p><p><br/></p><p>I said I do not believe it anymore.</p><p><br/></p><p>She slowly sat on the edge of the bed.</p><p><br/></p><p>Then what changed?</p><p><br/></p><p>I found something.</p><p><br/></p><p>What did you find?</p><p><br/></p><p>Kian was silent.</p><p><br/></p><p>“Kian?”</p><p><br/></p><p>I found the person who sent me that photograph.</p><p><br/></p><p>Elora stopped breathing.</p><p><br/></p><p>“What?”</p><p><br/></p><p>The photograph that made me believe you had betrayed me.</p><p><br/></p><p>Her hand tightened around the phone.</p><p><br/></p><p>For three years, she had carried the blame for something she never did.</p><p><br/></p><p>For three years, she had wondered why the man she loved had believed a stranger instead of her.</p><p><br/></p><p>And now Kian was telling her that the photograph had been a lie.</p><p><br/></p><p>Who sent it? she asked.</p><p><br/></p><p>I do not know yet.</p><p><br/></p><p>But you said you found the person.</p><p><br/></p><p>I found the number.</p><p><br/></p><p>Her heart began racing.</p><p><br/></p><p>Kian, who was it?</p><p><br/></p><p>He did not answer.</p><p><br/></p><p>Tell me.</p><p><br/></p><p>I will.</p><p><br/></p><p>Another silence followed.</p><p><br/></p><p>But there is something else you need to know.</p><p><br/></p><p>“What?”</p><p><br/></p><p>His voice became quieter.</p><p><br/></p><p>The person who sent me that photograph knew you.</p><p><br/></p><p>Elora felt a chill run through her body.</p><p><br/></p><p>How?</p><p><br/></p><p>I do not know.</p><p><br/></p><p>Kian…</p><p><br/></p><p>And Elora?</p><p><br/></p><p>Yes?</p><p><br/></p><p>They are still watching you.</p><p><br/></p><p>TO BE CONTINUED…</p>
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