"The Jenkins are my parents... or let's just say, they used to be," Julie murmured, her voice breaking as tears streamed silently down her cheeks.
The weight of old memories pressed against her chest—memories she had long chosen to bury.
But now, with everything unraveling, they clawed their way back up, raw and unforgiving.
---
Back at the private hospital, nestled in the heart of D State…
Rachel paced the length of the private suite, her heels clicking softly against the polished floor tiles.
The rhythmic sound filled the otherwise tense silence of the room.
Her hands trembled slightly as she clenched and unclenched them.
After a moment, she paused, drew in a deep breath, and closed her eyes.
Her chest rose and fell slowly, methodically—calming herself before she let the performance begin.
When she opened her eyes again, she bit her lower lip, crafting the perfect expression of confused concern with just the right hint of betrayal.
