Cut ties

Nate insisted on being nearby when Lara made that call. He promised not to intrude, but he wouldn't hear a word about walking out. Nor about Lara abandoning his office.

«I won't even listen if you need privacy,» he said. «I'll just be here.»

«It's okay,» Lara chuckled. «I can't understand why you are so fixed on witnessing something boring, that's all.»

«It's about you, so it can't be boring. Also, I want to be here if you have a panic attack. Just in case.»

«I don't think it will happen, but okay. Do you want me to put the phone on speakers?»

«There's no need,» he murmured.

First, he really didn't want to intrude. And, second, he could hear just fine without the speakers.

Lara used his phone to make the call so that her mother wouldn't save her number. At first, she wanted to call with the anonymous option. But it would have been like admitting she feared them contacting her.