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I grab the folder and look inside, my entire body burning. Then confusion takes its place. The papers within are screenshots of text messages, and one of the numbers is my own; the other I can’t recognize.

“I never sent these,” I say, rereading them.

“It’s Chloe’s number,” Theo says. “And if you go on your phone, you’ll find them in your texts.”

My confusion overwhelms me, doubles when I do and the messages are between us.

From me: I can’t believe you used AI to fake a video of me. I would never sabotage a case.

From Chloe: Nobody would believe you. We’re going to get you suspended.

“What the hell is this?” I ask, dumbfounded.

“The defendant—”

“Theo, please drop this.”

“You know what, you’re right,” he says. “It isn’t working like I’d planned. I had this whole idea, this vision in my head. It was supposed to be romantic, a nice gesture, but I’m going out of order, and honestly, you’re making it a lot harder than necessary.”

“Romantic?” I say, getting caught on the word, nearly forgetting the rest.

“Let’s start at the beginning.” Theo sits on the edge of the desk, pointing at the screenshots. “This is your safety net. During the trial, we all had to keep our phones locked in the advisor’s office: you, Jake, and all the witnesses.”

“Right,” I say, my brain working overtime to catch up.

“We both happen to know a girl very good at lock-picking.”

“Lexie,” I add, shaking my head. That little rat didn’t tell me anything about this.

He nods. “I asked her to sneak in and grab the phones. She already knew your password; as for Chloe’s, well, I’m not proud of what I had to do. But to protect you, I’d do anything.”

His words warm me, and hope—of forgiveness and moving forward—blooms within my chest. Present tense. He still cares about me. The relief that washes over me nearly knocks me off my chair.

“How did you get Chloe’s?”

He sighs. “I knew I’d never get Rachel’s, but I may have had Lexie set up a meeting between Chloe and me. Framed it as me wanting to apologize for using her.” He scratches the back of his neck. “Regardless of my reasoning, I did. I pretended to like her, so I got her pissed. I deserved a little bit of that.”

“Still, kicking you off the team—”

“Too far, yeah,” he says. “And I may have flirted a bit and asked for her socials, and I watched as she typed it in and memorized it.”

“Theo Hudson.” My jaw drops. “You flirted to get your way. This is scandalous.” And, oddly, I’m weirdly jealous.

He shudders at the memory. “You don’t have to do anything with it. But I figured in case the girls came back from suspension with a vengeance, this would keep you safe. They wouldn’t have an argument.”

My heart softens like butter in a microwave.

Of course I’ve been terrified of the consequences. Of any investigating that will put my grant at risk. My entire career here is at risk with it.

But instead of caring just about me, it felt better to worry about Theo. And with Theo caring about me, he’s managed to help keep me safe too. Something that would have never happened if I were so focused on myself, like I used to be.

“Theo, thank you.”

He shakes his head. “It was nothing. I know how much being here at Bell-Haven means to you. I know I don’t fully understand how dire it can feel to you, being at risk, but I understand how you feel about it. And you matter to me, Violet.”

“Theo,” I say softly, the warmth in my chest spreading. “What is all this, then? If this is what you wanted to show me?”

He sighs. “You showed me you cared in a big way. I wanted to do the same. I was going to show evidence on my phone; I have witness testimonies of people who’d agree that I’ve fallen for you, and I was going to state my case on how I’ve fallen in love with you. But it’s all messed up. This isn’t my territory.”