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“Yes How did you know?”

Her hands loosen on the covers, not coer white frorip she had before I’m pleased to note the tenseness in her body has also decreased

“I didn’t know for sure until you just toldA… presence”

“It could have been Theo,” I suggest

She shakes her head “No, it’s not hi the day And his presence is… different than yours Since I woke up, I’ve been… scared, but…” She trails off for several seconds before adhts I haven’t”

Her admission shocks me, because I’m the last person she should feel safe around It’s obvious Theo hasn’t told her about my role in her life, and I wonder why She ht now, but if she knew the truth, she’d be screaht now, so I’rateful she doesn’t know

Curiously, I ask, “Theo doesn’t make you feel safe?”

She doesn’t answer right away She looks beyondas she frowns “It’s not that he makes me feel… unsafe,” she starts quietly “It’s just…” Her eyes cos “I don’t know the word to use for what he makes me feel Weird, maybe?”

Now it’s uardedly as I take a step forward “Weird how?”

She chews on her botto it “I’m not really sure Uncomfortable somehow”

I have no business asking, butatto you?”

Unfortunately, my tone comes out harder that I intended, and she stiffens I h for her not to hear

She relaxes again after several tense seconds

“No,” she replies “He’s been very nice to me”

My hands uncurl fro in my ears slows I should know better than to think Theo would do so to hurt Jules Not only is she his wife, and they were obviously in love at one time, but he’s also the h only when he needs to be, and even then, he avoids altercations and confrontations at all costs