Chapter 48

• Alexander slowly opened his eyes, groggily reaching for his phone on the nightstand. The morning sunlight streaming through the forest house windows highlighted the dust particles dancing in the air.
• He rubbed the sleep from his eyes, focusing on the caller ID: Tyler.
• Alexander's lips curved into a wry smile as he answered, his voice laced with lazy amusement. "Tyler, what's so urgent that you're calling at...?" He glanced at the clock. "…8 a.m.?"