He leaned in closer, his hands resting on the edge of the bed.
His tone was sharp, like he wanted an answer right now. "What about me? Do you care about me at all? Do you ever think about how I feel?"
Rachel froze.
If he was really Jeffrey, of course she'd care. But right now… she didn't even know who he was anymore.
"My feelings shouldn't matter to you at all," she replied quietly.
"What if I actually do care?" he asked, staring straight at her.
She bit her lip, trying to calm her nerves, then whispered, "...I do care."
He looked genuinely surprised, like he didn't expect her to admit it so easily. "Why?"
"Because you're Jeffrey. In this city, you've got power. What you say literally changes people's lives. Of course I care. You know I can't afford to piss you off."
She wasn't exaggerating. She still remembered the pain, the prison, the way her world had collapsed.
All because she offended him.
She was scared. Honestly terrified.
