Chapter 819



Startled, she looked up to find Jake’s familiar face.

Jake had just returned.

‘You can’t cross the street like that, Jeanette,’ Jake said, his voice firm.

His handsome face softened as he set her back on her feet.

‘Always be careful, okay?’

Jeanette gestured anxiously across the street, her face tense with worry.

‘I’ve got to get that back! It’s what the pretty lady gave me.

Without that, I’ll never see her again.’

‘The pretty lady?’ Jake frowned, looking around in confusion.

‘Where’s your sister, Jeanette?’

‘She went to see a friend,’ Jeanette replied, her voice shaky as she looked at him with pleading eyes.

‘Please, can you help me? It’s very important.’

Jake nodded, though his tone remained firm.

‘Okay, but remember, never cross the street alone.

Stay here.’

Jeanette nodded repeatedly, her eyes fixed on Jake as he crossed the street.

Just as Jake bent to pick up the paper, a gust of wind picked it up again, and in a devastating instant, the paper slid down a storm drain.

Jeanette’s face crumpled and she began to cry, the lost paper symbolising the last thread connecting her to Kallie.

Jake returned to Jeanette’s side, an expression of regret softening his usually composed features.

Your story hub is gⱯlnσν𝓮ℓs․𝓬𝓸𝓂 ‘I’m so sorry, Jeanette.

I tried, but I couldn’t get it back.’

Jeanette let out a sob, rubbing her eyes as she tried to choke back her tears.

‘It’s not your fault.

It’s just…

Now, I won’t be able to see her again.

I wanted to thank her properly.’

Jake paused, thoughtfully.

He remembered hearing Lacey mention a party and a notable rescue.

If this ‘pretty lady’ really did come from the elite circles of Burmoos, maybe there was still a way to track her down.

Perhaps…

Jake had deliberately chosen not to attend the event with Lacey, as it wasn’t the right time to show himself.

If Clayton discovered he was there, it would only complicate things and could put them all in danger.

Seeing Jeanette’s tearful face, Jake knelt down beside her, his voice soft.

‘Why don’t you tell me more about this ‘pretty lady’? Describe her to me and I’ll help you find her.

I know a lot of people in town, and someone like her should be easy to track down.’

Jeanette’s eyes sparkled with renewed hope.

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