Kate placed her hands over Jeff’s, cupping his face, and ran her slender, blue-painted fingers over his hands.


    “It feels so good to touch you again, Jeff,” she chuckled. “Where have you been? I’ve missed you.”


    “I’ve been working on many things that kept me busy. I’m sorry.”


    Kate smiled softly. “I had fun, though,” she laughed. “You don’t have to worry too much about me; Jason visits me every day, and I’m glad. Where is he?” she asked curiously. “Did he come here with you? I haven’t seen him today.”


    “He’s standing outside your door,” Jeff smirked. “Tell me…” He paused, hesitating.


    “What?” Kate urged, tugging at his hands.


    “Has he confessed to you?”


    Kate scoffed. Still holding Jeff’s hands, she dropped them into her lap.


    “I told you, he always hesitates,” Kate said with a smirk. “He''ll tell me he wants to say something and then just... won’t. He’ll start and then stop—never finishes what he’s thinking.” She sighed, clearly amused by his indecision. “I wish he’d just say it already,” she muttered, pursing her lips.


    Jeff chuckled and glanced at the door. “I can’t believe he’s so slow-witted after everything I’ve taught him,” Jeff ruffled Kate’s hair affectionately. “Trust me, I’ll push him harder.”If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    “How is Alicia?” Kate asked, studying Jeff’s face. Jeff could see the concern in her eyes, and he sighed.


    “She’s fine,” he said with a faint, ambivalent smile.


    Kate sighed and entwined her fingers with Jeff’s. “I can sense your unease, Jeff. You’re troubled.”


    “Am I?”


    Kate nodded. “Of course. I can feel it.”


    “I’ll have to leave in the next ten minutes. I need to go to her place. I’m worried she might be injured.”


    Kate could hear the concern in Jeff’s voice, and she gave him a reassuring smile.


    “She’ll be fine,” she assured him. But Jeff noticed her smile was strained and her eyes flickered with unease. He squinted, feeling unsettled by that brief, bitter smile.


    “That smile doesn’t make it seem like everything will be fine,” Jeff said, his worry growing.


    Kate sighed, falling silent for a moment.


    “You need to protect Alisha, Jeff,” a faint smile crept across her face. “That’s the only way to protect Alicia—and Alison. Danger seems to be heading their way,” Kate said softly, trying to convince him.


    Angered, Jeff pulled his hands away from Kate’s grip.


    “What are you talking about?” he asked, glaring at her.


    “Listen to me, Jeff. You have to do this if you want to protect Alicia. Alisha…”


    “Why?” Jeff sneered. “Why would I do that?”


    “Because Alisha is the only one who can protect Alicia. If you want Alicia to survive, you need to protect Alisha.”


    “I won’t do that, Kate,” he insisted, shaking his head. “Why would I protect someone like Alisha, who wants Alicia dead? Why would I protect someone who keeps threatening me with my secret? She doesn’t deserve my forgiveness, let alone my protection!”


    “That’s what I saw in my vision,” Kate murmured. “I… I don’t know why, but I just…”


    “I always believe in your visions, but…” Jeff scoffed. “I think you’ve got this one wrong.”