“Wendy, I’m really sorry. I meant to come back for you after I dropped Candice off, but… she started having stomach cramps, so I had to stay…”
Wait. Did he just say he brought her back home?
Before he could offer more explanation, a voice in the background caught my attention—someone, likely a server, saying clearly, “Sir, your entire meal has been served. Please enjoy.”
I froze. Isaac’s voice turned muffled as he must have covered the speaker in a hurry, but the damage was already done. I had heard enough to understand.
There was a pause. Then I let out a soft breath and replied, “Don’t worry about it. I’ll handle things on my own.”
Why I said that, I wasn’t entirely sure. Perhaps I wanted to spare him guilt, or maybe I was desperately trying to reassure myself that I didn’t need him—that I could do this alone.
As I moved to hang up, he suddenly called out, “Wendy, just go back home. I’ll explain everything later, alright?”
Explain what, exactly? More excuses? Another carefully constructed lie to keep me in place?
I ended the call without saying another word. Then, without waiting any longer, I arranged for a ride back. But when the evening came, Isaac still hadn’t returned.