"Are… are you alright?" her mother asked from the other end of the phone. There was a slight pause before she continued, her voice carrying a hint of concern. "You sound flustered."
Even as the words left her mouth, Vanessa heard the quiet sigh that escaped beneath her mother's breath, subtle enough that someone else might have missed it.
"Of course. I just… I just needed to make sure you were fine." Vanessa forced her voice to remain steady despite the unease twisting inside her chest. "I'll call you again later once I get home."
The moment the words left her lips, she ended the call before her mother could ask any more questions.
Walking out of the supermarket, her eyes remained fixed on the small piece of paper clutched tightly between her fingers. The number scribbled across it seemed ordinary enough, yet it felt strangely heavy in her hand, almost as though it carried far more danger than a few digits ever should.
