Jeffery s eyes were dark as a storm. He stood rigid, fists clenched at his sides, barely holding back the fury boiling within him. One wrong move, and Joanne might snap might cut the thread of Alicia s life without hesitation.

He forced a steady breath. Then, his voice low and firm, he said, Joanne, we can talk this through. Whatever s going on, we ll figure it out together. But please, put the knife down.

Linsey said nothing, her full attention fixed on the trembling blade in Joanne s grasp. Every nerve in her body was pulled taut, ready to react.

Joanne blinked slowly. For the first time, her eyes shimmered with a fragile spark of hope.

Really? she asked, almost girlish, like someone on the verge of believing in an impossible love. You ll give me anything?

Jeffery hesitated just for a heartbeat. Then he nodded. Yes. If it s within my power, I ll give it to you.

For a brief moment, Joanne looked as though she might cry. But the fragile illusion shattered as her cold eyes shifted back toward Alicia. Then, her lips curled into a bitter smile.

You re lying, she murmured. Her breath brushed Alicia s cheek like the whisper of death. You re just saying that to protect her.

Alicia s body trembled as a cold shiver ran down her spine. Her eyes clamped shut, her breath shallow.

She understood now. All of it. Joanne s obsession with Jeffery hadn t bloomed overnight. It had likely festered for years silently, secretly until it twisted into something dangerous. This wasn t love. This was the kind of fixation that devoured everything around it.

Jeffery, too, grasped the depth of Joanne s delusion. And yet, no matter how he tried, he couldn t recall a single meaningful interaction with her. They had barely exchanged more than polite words.

But none of that mattered now. All that mattered was Alicia s life.

I swear, Jeffery said, his voice unwavering despite the dread crawling up his spine, no matter what you ask, I ll do everything in my power to make it happen.

g?ln Ҧ ?s q, the heart of fiction

He held her gaze, steady and solemn. And if I m lying, he added, his voice dropping an octave, may I never know peace for the rest of my life.

Joanne stood frozen, the impact of those words leaving her momentarily speechless.

Meanwhile, Alicia s eyes flew open wide, tears welling as she fixed her gaze on Jeffery. That glimmer of pain mixed with sadness danced in Alicia s tear-filled stare.

A quick glance at Jeffery gave Linsey her cue, and she stepped forward while Joanne was still rattled.

Joanne, listen. I know Jeffery. He means what he says. If he s promising you something now, you can trust that he s sincere. Let s all take a breath, sit down, and really talk this through.

Second thoughts crept into Joanne s mind, pulling her into uncertainty. From her point of view, Jeffery was the kind of person who never lied lightly. Sincerity seemed almost certain whenever he spoke with such gravity. A surge of emotion nearly pushed Joanne to share the wish she had kept buried for years.

Suddenly, commanding voices rang out from nearby.

Everyone stand back! Clear the area!

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