Page 96 of He Sees You When You’re Sleeping

There’s a pause, then a soft thud against the door. Is he leaning his forehead against it? I can almost picture his pained expression.

“Chloe, please,” his voice is low, desperate sounding. “I know how this looks. But it’s not what you think. There’s so much you don’t know, so much I need to tell you.”

I stand there, frozen, torn between curiosity and fear. The silence stretches, broken only by the whistling wind outside.

“Five minutes,” I finally say, hating myself for giving in. “You have five minutes to explain, and then you leave. I mean it, Jack.”

I approach the door cautiously, my hand hovering over the lock. Taking a deep breath, I turn it and open the door just a crack, keeping the chain on.

Jack stands there, snow dusting his dark hair and shoulders. His face is a mix of relief and anxiety. “Thank you,” he breathes.

“Start talking,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady.

He runs a hand through his hair, dislodging snowflakes. “God, where do I even begin?”

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