Chapter 163

• Author's POV
• Kyle sat comfortably on the edge of his bed, the soft glow from his desk lamp casting a warm circle of light around him. His phone was pressed between his shoulder and ear, his voice low and gentle as he spoke to Lane. The conversation was tender and filled with sweet nothings, the kind of exchange that made Kyle’s usually guarded eyes soften with genuine affection. For a moment, the world outside seemed to fade, leaving just the two of them connected by the invisible thread of their voices.
• Suddenly, the bedroom door creaked open, and Evelyn slipped inside quietly. Her presence was like a small breeze breaking the calm—innocent, tentative. Kyle caught sight of her and smiled warmly. “Hey, Evelyn,” he said softly, signaling to Lane that he’d have to call her back. “I’ll call you later, okay?”