Just As He Had Promised.

Ann jolted wide awake after hearing what Jeff had whispered in her ear. A sense of unease crept over her as if a warning that something wasn't right. Now fully awake, she decided to FaceTime her husband.

Buzz, buzz, buzz.

But Jeff didn't pick up, and her worry only intensified.

Jeff, meanwhile, was on a video call with one of the superintendents and couldn't answer Ann's FaceTime call.

As his phone kept buzzing, his anxiety grew by the minute. He needed to do something, or he knew he would be in deep trouble.

The superintendent continued with his report, but Jeff's focus was split. He finally decided he couldn't wait any longer.

"Upper, I'm going to have to call you right back. I have a more urgent call to take." Without waiting for a reply, he ended the video call.

"Hello, sweetheart. What are you doing awake at this hour?" Jeff tried to play it cool, his voice light and calm.