2ND MAY, 7:00 PM
"I should have killed you," Jeff muttered as he stepped into the crisp night air with Jason walking beside him.
Both men, in their twenties, were dressed in fitted black trousers and black espadrilles. Jason wore a white round-neck shirt beneath a single-breasted suit jacket, while Jeff sported a white round-neck shirt and a denim jacket. Walking side by side at an even pace, they exuded an undeniable sense of brotherhood.
As they moved further into the open, the icy night air nipped at their faces and hands.
“There’s a chill tonight,” Jason commented, rubbing his palms together and hissing softly, though his words were merely an attempt to deflect Jeff’s impending scolding.
When they reached the car, Jeff opened the driver's side door and slid inside. Jason got into the driver’s seat, closing the door with a muted thud.
“You look bored,” Jason remarked as he fastened his seatbelt, noticing Jeff's suddenly grim expression.
“I think she’s switched off her phone. I couldn’t reach her,” Jeff replied, his voice heavy as he leaned back against the seat headrest.
“What’s your plan now?” Jason asked, easing the car out of its parking spot.
“I’ll make her run away with me,” Jeff whispered, his eyes shut.
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Jason froze, the car screeching to an abrupt halt as he turned to Jeff, his mouth agape.
“What the hell are you talking about, Jeff?” Jason exclaimed. “Oh, man!” He let out a laugh and resumed driving, the car accelerating down the highway. “You must be joking.”
“I’m not,” Jeff said firmly, still not opening his eyes.
Jason shook his head in disbelief. “You seriously believe in this ridiculous plan? How do you even intend to convince her?”
“I know Alicia is stubborn,” Jeff admitted. “But I’ll tell her everything.”
“What?” Jason cried out, slamming the brakes again. The sudden stop sent both men lurching forward—Jason nearly hitting the steering wheel, Jeff the dashboard.
“You’re going to tell her what?” Jason shouted. “Do you honestly think that’s going to work?” He smirked, shaking his head. “She’s going to kill you!”
Jeff leaned back in his seat, seemingly unfazed. “And then you’ll become the chairman of Kelly Hospital and its branches,” he announced, glancing at Jason.
“Oh, man!” Jason chuckled, shaking his head again. “You’re insane. I’m a police officer, Jeff. You don’t expect me to leave my job for that. And I definitely can’t handle both.”
“I’ve already spoken to Mom about it,” Jeff said, turning slightly to face Jason. “She agrees with me.”
“I can’t,” Jason protested. “It’s your responsibility.”
“It’s not mine,” Jeff said icily. “It never was.”
Jason frowned. “Why not?”
“I don’t belong here,” Jeff said with a bitter smirk. “I shouldn’t even exist here.”
Jason shot him a sharp look. “No matter what happened, you are where you’re meant to be. You might not be Jeff, but you’re Jeff’s twin brother. This is your place, and everything that belongs to Jeff's Mom belongs to you, too.”
Jason sighed deeply, his tone softening. “I get how hard it must be, carrying someone else’s identity. But you’ve been here long enough, Jeff. You should be used to it by now. Jeff is your twin. You’re two sides of the same coin.”
He paused, meeting Jeff’s eyes. “You belong here, and you’re not going anywhere.”
“She told me I’ve changed,” Jeff said, his voice faltering. “She said she doesn’t understand me anymore. Then how are we the same? We’re not. Jeff should be Alicia’s best friend—or probably her boyfriend. Not me.”
“Stop thinking like that,” Jason said gently.
Jeff exhaled sharply. “Let’s go,” he said curtly, looking away. “We need to see Kate.” Resting his head back on the seat, he closed his eyes.
Jason sighed and resumed driving, his thoughts lingering on Jeff’s words.