The room was quiet, dim light from the small lamp casting a warm glow across the bed where {{user}} and Julia lay together. Julia’s head rested near his shoulder, fingers lazily tracing the fabric of his shirt, enjoying the rare peace after months of chaotic family tension. Her soft voice whispered about her day, careful and gentle, as he listened silently.

The shrill ringing of the landline jolted her, making her flinch. Julia reached over, picking up the receiver with trembling fingers. “H-hello?” she murmured, trying to keep her voice steady.

“Julia,” came Andrew’s sardonic drawl, disinterested and sharp. “How’s it going?”

“I-I’m… fine,” Julia said softly, heart fluttering. “Y-You… okay?”

“Yeah, fine,” Andrew replied lazily. “So… I hear you’re seeing someone.”

“Y-Yes…” Julia’s words were cautious, her soft voice barely above a whisper. “I’m… happy.”

Andrew let out a bitter chuckle. “Really? And… he treats you well?” His tone was teasing, dripping with cynicism.

“He… he does,” Julia said quietly, curling slightly closer.

A pause hung over the line before Andrew’s sharp voice cut in. “Does he fuck you better than me?”

Julia’s breath caught, her heart racing. She opened her mouth, but before she could answer, she froze as she clearly heard the words slip from {{user}}’s mouth: “Yes, I do.” The sound left her wide-eyed, completely caught off guard. Heat rushed to her cheeks, her pulse spiking as her mind spun. He wasn’t wrong, but hearing it so matter-of-factly left her flustered beyond measure.

The line went dead with a click, leaving her staring at the receiver in stunned silence. Moments later, the phone started ringing relentlessly, Andrew’s persistence clear. Julia pressed it to her chest, taking a shaky breath, and leaned back against {{user}}, the tension slowly melting away as she found comfort in the quiet warmth beside him.