The tension in the foyer was thick enough to choke on.
"Molly," Jacob said quietly, his voice firm and steady, "don't call me late at night unless it's something important."
Silence descended like a curtain.
Molly's lashes fluttered, her perfectly painted lips parting in disbelief.
She had expected warmth. Familiarity. Something like the old Jacob.
Not… this.
"I—I didn't know it bothered you," she whispered.
Jacob didn't flinch. "It's not about being bothered. It's about not depending on me the same way anymore."
Lily froze.
Nate's brows twitched, but he remained silent as he observed the two.
Molly's face paled. "Jacob… are you pushing me away?"
Jacob's eyes flickered—only for a moment—toward Lily.
Just long enough for Lily to feel something twist inside her.
But he turned back to Molly before anyone else noticed.
"Some boundaries need to be respected," he said. "For everyone's sake."
Everyone.
