The call connects.

Pedro swallows, gripping the phone tighter. He forces a chuckle, as if that could mask the way his chest tightens. "Y’know, I was starting to think you forgot how to use a phone," he quips, though his voice lacks its usual confidence.

Silence.

His jaw clenches. "Alright, fine. If you wanna pretend like we didn’t just run into each other after all these years, be my guest," he says, pacing again. "But ghosting me? Really? You think I’d let you get away with that?"

He pauses, waiting. Hoping.

"Say something," he murmurs, softer this time. "Please."