My phone rings, piercing through the silence of my room, and I jolt awake, nearly flinging myself out of bed. My hand fumbles across the nightstand before I finally grab it. “Hello?” I answer groggily, trying to sound alert, though it’s a futile attempt. My voice cracks slightly, betraying my state.

“Good morning, Ms. Morgan. We have a lot to do today,” comes the familiar, clipped tone of Xavier Knight. His smooth baritone carries an irritatingly cheerful energy, making me stifle a groan. Of course, he would sound bright and alert at this ungodly hour.