Chapter 106

Fathia chuckles. "But... what she said is true, Jess," Fathia says softly. "Having me around puts the people close to me in danger." Fathia raises her hand, not wanting any pause before she finishes speaking. "Including you, Jess. Don't deny it."

Jess had intended to speak, but her words get swallowed. Silence fills the space as they both linger there.

"And... what do you want to do now?" Jess asks cautiously. Beside her, Fathia sinks deeper, hugging the pillow with its fringed corners.

"I just really hope everything goes back. That everything Uncle Alef did gets repaid appropriately. And for the other friends too, even though, well... I don't really know them, but through you, I know some of their stories. Right?"

"Yeah, I know that, Fathia. But what about your own heart?"

"Heart? What about my heart?"

Jess groans in frustration. Sometimes talking with Fathia requires