Jeff wrapped his fingers around Alicia’s trembling hands and gently led her into the graveyard. A shiver ran down her spine as the raw night air clawed at her skin. Hugging her arms across her chest, she scanned the landscape—dusty, broken graves littered with brittle, dead leaves. The scent of damp earth and decay filled the air.


    “This place… it’s old,” Alicia murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. “Why are we here?” She couldn’t stop the question from spilling out, curiosity and fear battling inside her.


    Jeff didn’t answer. Instead, he guided her toward a grave and slowly released her hands. His gaze locked onto the tombstone, his breath hitching as if the weight of the world sat on his chest.


    Alicia followed his stare.


    Jeff shoved his hands deep into his pockets, his fists trembling as he exhaled shakily. His heart pounded against his ribs.


    With another heavy sigh, he finally spoke, his voice measured, cautious. “Look at the tombstone.” He paused, as if holding his breath. “Tell me what you see.”


    Alicia’s brows furrowed as her gaze dropped to the inscription. Her breath caught.


    Jeff Anderson.


    Her pulse spiked. Cold dread trickled down her spine. She snapped her head toward Jeff, eyes wide with horror. Her breath came in short, shallow bursts as she scanned him from head to toe, as if reassuring herself he was real—that she wasn’t standing next to a ghost.


    “What… what—” Alicia stuttered, her throat constricting. “Are you a ghost?” Her arms wrapped tightly around herself, fingers digging into her skin as if bracing for an answer she wasn’t ready to hear. “Tell me this is a joke. A cruel prank.”


    Jeff’s lips twitched into a bittersweet smile. The way she looked at him—like she had just lost someone dear—sent a warmth through his chest, a fleeting moment of comfort before the storm.


    “Do you still care about me?” His voice cracked as he tore his gaze from the tombstone. “Or do you hate me now?”


    Alicia clenched the fabric of her dress in her fists, her nails pressing into her palms. Anger flickered behind her fear.


    Jeff let out a bitter laugh before crouching beside the grave. He reached out, picking up one of the brittle, brown leaves scattered on the dirt. He twirled it between his fingers, his expression darkening.


    Alicia shifted uneasily, her stomach twisting. The graveyard’s eerie silence made her skin crawl. Every part of her screamed to turn and run.


    “Who are you?” Her voice was barely above a whisper.


    Jeff didn’t look at her. “Twelve years ago,” he began, his voice distant, “there was a boy. He had a mother and a little sister named Kate.” He hesitated, his fingers tightening around the leaf. “They were happy. Until one night… strangers shattered their world.”


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    A sharp intake of breath.


    “Please… please… don’t hurt them.” A voice echoed in Jeff’s mind. His mother’s voice.


    His chest squeezed as the memory crashed over him. Blood. The cold floor. Rebecca’s lifeless body in a dark pool. The metallic tang of death clinging to the air.


    Jeff’s throat bobbed as he swallowed hard. He could still taste it. Still smell it. His stomach twisted violently.


    He shut his eyes and exhaled. “His mother was murdered in cold blood. He and his sister were taken by the assassins.” His voice wavered. “The boy woke up tied to a chair in a dark, cemented room. A woman approached him. Her name was Rose.”


    Alicia stiffened. “Ro… Rose?”


    Jeff nodded grimly. “She killed his mother. She wanted him and his sister for something. And she made him choose—obey her or watch his sister die.”


    Alicia’s breath hitched. “What did she want?”


    Jeff hesitated, then said, “To spy on you.”


    Alicia recoiled as if he had struck her. “S-Spy?” She let out a hollow laugh, shaking her head. “That’s ridiculous. Why? For what?”


    “Because out of all your sisters, you’re the most guarded,” Jeff said quietly. “You don’t let people in. But she knew there was one person you trusted.” He paused, letting the words settle.


    Alicia’s chest rose and fell rapidly. “Who?” she whispered.


    Jeff lifted his gaze to hers, his expression unreadable. “Jeff.” He let the name hang between them. “The boy in the grave.”


    Silence.


    Alicia’s breath came out in shaky gasps as she stumbled backward, clutching her purse like a lifeline. “Then…” her voice cracked. “Who are you?”


    Jeff’s jaw clenched. A humorless chuckle escaped his lips. “I’m Josh.” His voice was firm, unwavering. “Jeff’s twin brother.”


    Alicia’s body went rigid. She shook her head violently, as if refusing to believe it. “No. No, that’s not true. Just stop.” Tears blurred her vision. “Stop lying to me.”


    Jeff’s face twisted with pain. “I wish I was.” He ran a trembling hand through his hair. “It’s my fault. All of it. I was scared. Scared of losing my sister, so I did what she wanted.” His voice broke. “Jeff—your real friend—was buried alive in that grave. And that day, I was told I’d suffer the same fate if I betrayed Rose.” His breath hitched. “That was the day my life fell apart. Every day, guilt gnawed at me. Every time I saw you, it burned through me. And then… I started wanting you. Wanting something that was never mine.”


    Alicia pressed her hands over her ears. “Liar. Liar!” She screamed, stepping back. Her sobs came in heaving gasps, her body trembling. “I trusted you—why? Why did you do this to me?”


    Jeff swallowed hard. He took a shaky step toward her but stopped himself. He didn’t deserve to be near her.


    “Listen to me, Alicia,” he pleaded. “I don’t expect forgiveness. I don’t deserve it.” His voice turned raw. “I know you remember everything. I know you’re pretending. You want revenge, don’t you?” He let out a bitter laugh. “I’m a liar. A crook. A coward. And I deserve every bit of your hatred.” He panted, his shirt clinging to his sweat-dampened skin.


    “I spied on you. I betrayed you. I even dated your sister.” His voice cracked. “I don’t deserve your forgiveness, but please—” He sucked in a shaky breath. “Listen to Jason. He’s right. Rose wants you dead. Wilson and Oliver are her sons. Everything—the manipulation, the lies—it’s all her doing. She’s not who you think she is. Don’t fall into her trap.”


    His breathing turned ragged. Desperate.


    With a sudden movement, Jeff grabbed Alicia’s hand and pressed it to his chest, his heartbeat thundering beneath her palm. “Here,” he rasped. “Stab me here, Alicia.” His grip on her hand trembled. “Take your revenge.”


    Alicia wrenched her hand away, tears spilling freely down her cheeks. She opened her mouth, but no words came. Her lips trembled. Her body shook.


    Then, with a choked sob, she turned and ran.


    Jeff collapsed to his knees, his breath coming in ragged gasps. His fingers dug into his hair as tears spilled down his face. His chest rose and fell in uneven tremors.


    “I’m sorry,” he whispered, his body curling inward. “I’m… so sorry.”