Evan explained quickly, stumbling through what had happened. For a moment, Elise said nothing. The silence stretched just long enough to make his pulse spike, as though she were weighing her response. When she finally spoke, her tone was strained.
She told him she hadn’t heard from Lara that evening and tried to sound reassuring, but something in her voice didn’t match the words. It was tight, careful, as though she were choosing each one deliberately. Evan couldn’t tell if she was worried—or withholding. He pressed gently, asking if Lara had mentioned any plans, any stress, anything unusual.