Sophia took a deep breath and continued, "We had gathered evidence of the factory's safety breaches and the cover-up that followed. We were planning to take it to the authorities, but..."
Jaxon interrupted, "What kind of evidence?"
Sophia hesitated, glancing at Jaxon warily. "Documents, photographs, witness statements...it was a comprehensive dossier."
Jaxon's eyes narrowed. "And who was involved in this cover-up?"
Sophia's expression turned guarded again. "I'm not sure I should say any more."
Emma felt a surge of frustration. Why was Jaxon interrupting Sophia's revelation? "Jaxon, let her finish," she said, her voice firm.
Jaxon's gaze flicked to Emma's, and for a moment, she saw a flash of apology. But then his expression hardened again. "I'm just trying to understand the situation," he said.
Sophia continued, her voice hesitant. "We had evidence that the factory's owners knew about the safety issues but chose to ignore them. They were more concerned with profits than people's lives."
Jaxon interrupted again, "And what happened to this evidence?"
Sophia's eyes flashed with annoyance. "I don't know, okay? It was taken from us. And now...now people are getting threatening messages, just like you."
Emma's suspicion grew. Why was Jaxon so interested in the evidence? And what did he know about the threatening messages?
Emma turned to Jaxon, her voice low. "Why are you interrupting her? What do you know about this?"
Jaxon's expression turned innocent. "I'm just trying to help, Emma."
But Emma wasn't convinced. She felt like Jaxon was hiding something. "You're not just trying to help," she said, her voice firm. "You're trying to control the narrative. Why?"
The tension between them was palpable, and Sophia took a step back, her eyes darting between the two of them. "Maybe I shouldn't have come here," she said, her voice uncertain.
Sophia's eyes darted between Emma and Jaxon, and she seemed to decide that she'd had enough. "I think I've said too much already," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I need to go."
Before Emma or Jaxon could react, Sophia turned and ran into the darkness, disappearing into the woods. Emma watched her go, feeling a mix of emotions: concern for Sophia's safety, frustration with Jaxon's interruptions, and curiosity about what Sophia had been about to reveal.
Emma's eyes locked onto Jaxon's, her mind racing with questions. Why had he been interrupting Sophia? What was he hiding? She felt a surge of frustration and uncertainty.
"What's going on, Jaxon?" she asked, her voice firm but laced with emotion. "Why are you being so secretive? What do you really want from me?"
Jaxon's expression softened slightly, and he took a step closer to Emma. "I just want to protect you, Emma," he said, his voice low.
But Emma wasn't convinced. She remembered the way he'd shown up in her life again after all these years, the way he'd been watching her. She felt like she was seeing glimpses of the boy she'd known, but there was something more, something hidden.
"I don't need your protection, Jaxon," she said, her voice steady. "I need the truth. Why are you really here?"
Jaxon's eyes searched hers, and for a moment, Emma thought she saw a flicker of something genuine. But then his mask slipped back into place.
"I'm here for you, Emma," he said, his voice sincere. "I care about you."
Emma's heart skipped a beat. She wanted to believe him, but her doubts lingered. What were his true motives? Why had he come back now, after all these years?
...
As Emma stood there, looking at Jaxon, memories flooded her mind. She remembered the laughter they shared, the adventures they went on, and the secrets they kept. They'd been inseparable, a team.
But as they grew older, things changed. Jaxon left, and Emma was left with questions. Why did he go? Why didn't he stay? Why did he leave her?
Now, standing in front of him, Emma felt like she was seeing the boy she used to know, but also someone new. Someone mysterious.
...