Page 7 of The Broken Keys

My finger hovers over his contact for three full secondsbefore reality crashes back. He’s not mine to call. Not anymore. Not when he’s made it clear through legal documents and trivial texts that our connection has been reduced to mentor-mentee pleasantries.

Instead, I call my parents. My mother cries. My father makes plans to take me to dinner at the most expensive restaurant in Beverly Hills.

They tell me how proud they are, how this is just the beginning, and how they always knew I had greatness in me. Their love for me and this win doesn’t feel complicated. It’s the kind of affection that doesn’t require navigation or interpretation.

When I hang up, I’m smiling for the first time since I left Callum’s house this morning. My relationship with my parents is on the mend, and that’s one less thing I have to worry about.

Then there’s Callum. His gentle insistence that I call, the hope in his voice when he said he loved me.

He’s trying to be a better version of himself, and I see the positive changes. He even held me without pushing me, even though he probably had a million questions.

I sigh and decide to do the kind thing so he’s not hanging out there waiting.

Me:It’s official. Marcus Chen, the deal I’ve been working on, wants to partner with me. I’m in shock!

His response comes back within seconds.

Callum:I KNEW IT! You’re incredible, Lily. This calls for a proper celebration. Dinner tonight. Somewhere fancy where we can toast to your brilliance?

The enthusiasm in his words makes something warm unfurl in my heart. He’s here, present, and ready to celebrate every victory with me like it’s his own.

Me:I’ll think about it. Still processing everything.

Callum:I’m taking you out tonight, whether you like it or not. You deserve to be celebrated.

Me:In that case, thank you.

Callum:Anytime, love. Anytime.

My stomach swirls at the sentiment as I organize my desk. Fabric and sketches are everywhere.

If Jax saw this, he would say my environment is a direct reflection of what’s going on in my head. And I’d have to agree. I’m a scattered mess inside.

I spend the morning trying to focus on work, but my mind keeps drifting to the legal papers sitting on a stack of things I need to take home. The envelope with the documents that gifted me the property stares at me as if it’s laughing at my stupidity.

I leave the office at noon to work at home with the weight of everything crushing me. I’m driving back to the Malibu house when my phone rings.

It’s connected to my car’s Wi-Fi, so I know it’s my dad. I connect to it, curious why he’s calling me.

“Hi, Dad. What’s up?”

“Hi, darling. I’m so proud of you, and I wanted you to know that again.”

I laugh under my breath. “Thanks. I appreciate that.”

“There’s another reason I’m calling, though.”

“Yeah? What’s that?‌”

“I just got word from my team that the remodeling of your house is done. We can do the final walk-through any day now. Just tell me when.”

“Oh, wow. That’s…” Emptiness presses on my chest. Everything is changing so fast, and my life with Jax slips farther away. “That’s great news. Can I take a tour tomorrow? I’m too tired to do it tonight.”

“Yes, of course.” He clears his throat. “Brendan told your mom and me you were with Cash last night.”

There’s a question in that sentence, but I don’t take the bait. Instead, I wait and curse Bren out in silence.

Why the hell would he tell my parents that? And how the hell did he know?