37: Cracks in the Foundation

Conor stepped into the apartment, the tension palpable as Jessica glared at him from across the room.

“Where have you been? I’ve been calling for hours!” Jessica’s voice was sharp, her frustration evident.

Conor instinctively reached for his phone, only to realize it was dead. He held it up as an explanation, “I’m sorry, the battery died.”

Jessica’s eyes narrowed, skepticism clear in her expression. “That doesn’t answer the question. Where did you sleep last night?”

Conor hesitated for a moment, knowing the truth would only worsen the situation. “I found a spot in the park.”

Jessica’s expression shifted from anger to horror. “But it was freezing last night!” she said, covering her mouth in disbelief.

“Well, you didn’t exactly give me much choice,” Conor replied, his tone carrying a hint of bitterness.

Jessica’s eyes widened as she realized the gravity of what he had said. “I thought you would go to Yuri’s or something!”

“Yuri is out of town this weekend at a convention,” Conor explaine