bChapter /bb286 /b

bAuthor’s /bbPOV/bb: /b

bThe /bmidday rush had begun across Princeton’s campus, with students streaming toward the dining halls between sses, Jade had joining Max for lunch when possible since he began college, finding them a quiet corner table away from the usual chaos.

b“/bHey,” he said, sliding into the seat across from her. His eyes darted around nervously before settling on her. “So… Maxi called yesterday. Said something about you and Ethan Haxton having a fight?”

Jade stabbed a piece of lettuce with her fork. “That robot needs a mute button.”

“What happened?” Max pressed, leaning forward.

Before she could answer, Chase Astor dropped his tray beside Max, his eyes bright with excitement.

“Is it true? You and Ethan Haxton had a showdown?” Chase asked, practically vibrating with curiosity. “What was he like when bhe /bgot angry? Did he yell or was he all cold and scary? Rich people have different ways bof /bbeing pissed, you know.”

Jade took a sip of water. “We just… rified some things.”

“That’s code for ‘we broke up,” Chase tranted, looking disappointed. “Damn, I bwas /bhoping for juicy details.”

“We didn’t break up because we weren’t together,” Jade said tly.

“Good riddance. Those rich guys always think they own everything they touch. You deserve better anyway.” Chase gave her a supportive

nod.

Max shot Chase a warning look before turning back to Jade. “You okay?b” /b

“I’m fine,” she said, gathering her tray. “I need to get some air.”

Max followed her outside, waiting until they were alone before speaking again.

‘Is it because of Ss?” he asked quietly.

Jade didn’t deny it. “Partly.”

“Why is he so important to youb?/b” Max’s voice was gentle, not usatory. “I mean, I get helping him with his mom and school, but you’re putting a lot on the line for him. Even risking whatever you had with Ethan.”

She sighed, trying to find words that wouldn’t reveal too much. “If it wasn’t Ss, it would’ve been someone else. Ethan and I… we bwant /bdifferent things.”

“I bdon’t /bunderstand.”

Jade started to exinb, /bthen stopped. She couldn’t tell Max about Dusk.

“Ss bis /bbjust/b…” she beganb, /bthen shook her head, frustrated by her inability to exin. “He’s important to bme/bb, /bbokay/bb? /bbI’ll /bbtell /bbyou /bbmore /b

i1/4 /i

someday.”

Max studied her face, then nodded slowly. “Okay.”

99

Two weeks passed. Ethan didn’t call or text, and Jade didn’t reach out either. Whatever had been developing between them seemed to have ended as abruptly as it began. It was jarring, but not devastating. Maybe Chris was right–they weren’t suited for each other. Their iage /idifference, their priorities, their lifestyles… perhaps it was better this way.

During those same two weeks, Ss visited Chris’s consultation room twice more. Each time, he returned looking exhausted but somehow… lighter. The change in him was subtle but undeniable. He talked more, asionally even smiled. He’d y with Captain when the dog bounded up to him, instead of just tolerating the animal’s presence.

Yet when Jade asked Chris about Ss’s progress, he frowned.

“Honestly? We’re not making much headway,” he admitted.

Ss sat in the leather chair across from Chris Jensen, his posture more rxed than during previous sessions.

“Do you like her?” Chris asked directly.

“Jade?” Ss’s lips twitched into a small smile. “Yeah. I do.”

“I thought so,” Chris said, leaning back. “You wouldn’t be improving otherwise, considering I haven’t done much actual therapy yet.”

Ss’s eyes narrowed slightly. “I remember Dr. Jensen is awyer.”

Chris smiled. “I’m bothwyer and psychological consultant. I find thebination useful.” He handed Ss a simple sketch. “What do you see here?”

Ss studied the drawing. “Tell me about Jade. How long have you known her?”

“We’ve been formally acquainted for less than two years,” Chris replied, surprised by the question. “We met in Cloud City during a rather unusual case. Clicked immediately.”

“She’s been taking special care of me because of her friend, hasn’t she?” Ss asked.

“She mentioned that?” Chris tilted his head.

“Not directly. But I know that person was important to her.”

Chris nodded slowly. “Very important.”

“bI /bsaw on the forums that Jade has another close friend. A vic man,” Ss remarked casually.

Chrisughed. “Jealous of old news, Ss? That’s not very productive.”

b99 /b

He shifted in his chair. ‘Jade and Ethan had their falling out because Ethan tried to control her too much. fade values freedom above anything or anyone. If you’re pursuing her, don’t make his mistake.”

“I know,” Ss replied softly.

‘You don’t need to see that guy aspetition. He’s just a yboy by nature,i” /i

“Can you tell me more about her? Ss asked.

“While I connected with Jade immediately, I haven’t known her that long. I was better acquainted with her deceased friend.”

She must have been special, like Jade. An extraordinary girl.”

Chris nodded. “Your brother must have been special too, to be her friend. At least he lived well while he was alive.

Ss was quiet for a moment. “I think his life had meaning, even if it was only twenty–some years. Better than my entire existence.

He then began describing his childhood–the alcoholic father, the domestic violence, the ss discrimination and bullying at school. He recounted how, at seven years old, he tried to stop his father from beating his mother and was knocked unconscious with a liquor bottle.

“I thought about killing him,” Ss admitted. “Then myself afterward. But then… news about her stopped me.”

“Jade?” Chris asked.

“Yes. I know she’s only kind to me because of my brother. But I don’t care.”

Ss nced at the clock on the wall. “What time is it?”

“We still have twenty minutes,” Chris replied.

“Let me tell you a story,” Ss said, his voice suddenly softer. “There was a farmer who had two brothers working for him. The older brother was strong and capable, while the younger was weak and sickly…”

As Ss spoke, his voice became rhythmic, almost hypnotic. Chris felt his eyelids growing heavy. fn8854 Th?s chapter is updated by Find1Novel/fn8854

“Just rx, Ss murmured, pulling out a pocket watch. “Follow the movement with your eyes. That’s right…”

Within minutes, Chris’s gaze had be unfocused, his body ck in the chair.

“What’s your full name?i” /iSs asked.

i“/iChristopher James Jensen,” came the monotone reply.

“Age?”

“Thirty–five.”

“What’s your favorite color?”

b8:18 /bTue, Sep 30

“Blue.”

“Favorite food?‘

“Medium–rate steak with ck pepper sauce.”

Ss’s questions continued, seemingly random but building a pattern. Chris answered each one in the same t fone, his eyes zed over,

“Who are your best friends?

“Shadow. Night.”

Ss leaned forward, his eyes suddenly intense. “Where is Shadow?”

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