"Hello… hello…"
Victor's fingers froze above the keypad. The voice that floated through the line was light, curious child's voice.
"Hello?" the little voice said again, more insistent this time.
He swallowed hard. Before he could think, another voice came through. This one familiar enough to turn his pulse into thunder.
"Anya, what are you doing with Nana's phone?" Elena's tone carried that soft mix of warning and patience, the kind only mothers perfected.
Victor's chest tightened. The phone suddenly felt heavy in his hand.
Anya giggled, a little out of breath. "Her phone was ringing and she isn't here, so I picked it up!"
Elena sighed. "And what did I say about picking up Nana's phone, hmm? You're not supposed to touch cell phones without permission."
"But it was ringing," the little girl protested innocently.
"Elena's tone softened but stayed firm. "Alright, alright. Are you still on the call right now?"
