Jeff!” Jason exclaimed as Jeff entered the sitting room.

Seeing Jason in his house, Jeff frowned and asked, “What are you doing here? I thought you were staying with Kate.”

“I’ve been looking everywhere for you. Where have you been?” Jason replied anxiously, watching as Jeff approached the chair. “Jeff, Alicia was transferred this morning,” he announced urgently.

Jeff froze mid-step, turning to face Jason. His expression was one of disbelief, as if he’d been struck by a thunderclap. “What did you just say?” he asked quietly, his voice taut as his face paled. “Alicia was what?” He grabbed Jason’s collar, his eyes blazing with fury. “What did you say?”

“I... I’m sorry,” Jason stammered, trembling under the weight of Jeff’s wrath.

Jeff shoved Jason to the ground and stormed out of the house.

*************************************************************************************************************************************

Jeff burst into St. John’s Hospital and rushed to the reception desk, where the nurses looked up at him in surprise.

“I need to see Alicia White! She was transferred here this morning. Please, I need to see her,” he said, his voice quivering as he fought back the urge to break down.

Startled by Jeff’s desperation, one of the nurses quickly searched for Alicia’s ward.

"She’s in Ward 102, in the VIP section,” the nurse informed him. Jeff didn’t wait another second before sprinting down the hallway.

When he reached the ward, he stopped short. Four security guards stood stationed at the door. Jeff’s breath hitched, his pulse pounding in his ears. He turned to glance back at the hallway, his shoulders trembling as he tried to steady his resolve. Memories of Alicia flooded his mind—her laughter, her tears, and the trust in her eyes when she once said, “I’ll always believe in you, Jeff.”

“I need to see Alicia!” Jeff demanded, stepping forward.

The guards blocked his path, grabbing his arms and pushing him back.

“No one is allowed inside except for the Whites,” said Steven, the tallest and most intimidating of the guards.

“How dare you!” Jeff roared, swinging his fist at Steven. But before his punch could land, Steven struck him in the nose. Jeff stumbled backwards, blood trickling down his face.

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“It would be best if you leave now, Mr. Jeff,” Steven advised coldly.

“I have to see Alicia!” Jeff shouted, his voice breaking. “I’m not leaving without seeing her!”

“How dare you!”

Jeff turned to see Rose approaching, her face contorted with rage. Before he could react, she shoved him against the wall, gripping his shirt tightly.

“You caused all of this! She stabbed herself because of you! You hurt her! How dare you show your face here!” Rose cried, her voice shaking with emotion. Tears streamed down her face as she pounded her fists weakly against Jeff’s chest. She looked like a mother on the brink of losing her child.

Jeff smirked bitterly. “You should be an actress,” he muttered mockingly.

“You’re evil! Pure evil!” Rose sobbed, collapsing to her knees as she buried her face in her hands. “My poor baby... She trusted you so much...”

The security guards stepped in to help Rose to her feet, trying to calm her.

“Get this man out of here now!” Rose screamed, pointing at Jeff. “No one is to let him in, or they’ll be fired! Get him out!”

One of the guards urged Jeff to leave, but when Jeff stood his ground, his fists clenched and his eyes locked on Rose with a murderous intensity, the guards forcibly escorted him out of the hospital.

*************************************************************************************************************************************

Outside, Jeff paused near the hospital’s entrance. His hands trembled as he leaned against the wall, the metallic taste of blood sharp in his mouth. His mind was a whirlwind of guilt and anger. Alicia’s face flashed before him again; his promise to her echoing: “I’ll always be there for you.” His stomach twisted.

“I’ve failed her,” he whispered, clenching his fists. But not anymore.

Jason, who had trailed Jeff to the hospital, saw him walking toward the parking lot. Jeff kept glancing back at the building, his face a mixture of fury and despair.

Jason hurried out of his car and ran to him. “What happened?” he gasped, noticing the bruises on Jeff’s face and hands. “Who did this to you?”

Jeff walked past Jason without answering, heading to his car. “I need everything you’ve found on Rose,” he demanded. “Every piece of evidence. Now.”

He climbed into his car and slammed the door shut. “Meet me at my place. We’ll talk there,” he ordered, gripping the steering wheel tightly before driving off.

As he sped down the highway, Jeff’s grip on the steering wheel tightened. “She won’t suffer for me again,” he whispered to himself, his determination burning with every passing moment.

Two years earlier...

“What are you going to do, date Alena?” Jason asked, his face lined with worry. “You know this isn’t right.”

“Then what should I do?” Jeff countered, his head bowed. “I’ll be finished if Alicia find this out.” He looked up at Jason, desperation in his eyes. “I can’t let go of Alicia. Not anymore.”

Jason sighed, placing his hands on his hips. “Then let’s fight them,” he said, his voice resolute. “You’ve been a pawn for Rose for ten years. If you really want Alicia, it’s time to take action. I can help you.”

Jeff exhaled heavily, clenching his fists.

“Still scared?” Jason pressed. “Then tell me—when will you free yourself?”

“I don’t know,” Jeff admitted, his voice barely audible. “Kate will be in danger, and Alicia will also be danger. I... I don’t want to put more lives at risk.” He buried his fingers in his hair and tugged at it in frustration. “Not now, Jason. It’s not the right time.”

“Then when?” Jason asked, his eyes filling with tears. “You might regret it if you date Alena...” He trailed off, his words hanging in the air.

The memory brought a spark of determination to Jason’s eyes. “Now’s the time, Jeff. Now.” Excited by the thought, Jason pressed harder on the accelerator, eager to see Jeff take action at last.