Katherine hesitated for a moment; she barely knew Kimi, after all. Still, it might be about the case. She swiped it open and read the text.

  Kimi: [Kate, are you asleep?]

  Hmm… it didn’t say anything in particular, so she typed a response:

  [No. What’s up?]

  The conversation began, pulling her away from the storm of emotions swirling within.

  Kimi: [Have you read the letter?]

  Kate: [Yes.]

  Kimi: [Would you like some company? I’m only a mile away.]

  Kate: [Why are you there?]

  Kimi: [I live at 700 Bulls Neck Road.]

  The mention of his address sparked her curiosity. Katherine opened the Google Maps app and typed the address. The result confirmed what Kimi had said.

  Kate: [I see.]

  Kimi: [So, would you like some company?]

  Her heart raced. The vulnerability she felt was suffocating. She didn’t think she’d have the nerve to show that side of her to someone she barely knew. Yet, Kimi reaching out to her tugged at her heartstrings.

  Katherine stared at the screen, hesitating before quickly typing her reply.

  Kate: [OK. Thank you. My door passcode is 111198. You can let yourself in.]

  Kimi: [OK, see you soon!]

  ……

  Five minutes later, Kimi arrived at Katherine’s house, his steps brisk as he approached the front door. He entered the passcode, and a melodic tune played as the door clicked open. The cool night air followed him inside, brushing against his skin as he gently closed the door behind him.

  Darkness greeted him like a quiet observer. His fingers instinctively found the light switch, and the foyer’s shadows retreated as the space flooded with a soft glow. He ambled to the couch he had occupied earlier, dropping onto the plush sofa. Then, he reached for his phone, fingers moving swiftly across the screen as he began drafting the wiretap order.

  Time slipped by as he focused on his task. Katherine still hadn’t appeared, and the minutes stretched, tension building in Kimi’s chest.

  Had she fallen asleep? Or was something else holding her up?

  He hesitated momentarily before pushing himself off the couch, his instincts pulling him toward the stairs. Each step creaked beneath his weight, the dim hallway light casting long shadows along the floor. At the end of the hall, a door stood slightly ajar, a soft light seeping through the crack. Kimi knocked gently, the sound faintly reverberating.

  Silence.

  He knocked again, firmer this time, and he called out, “Kate?”

  Still no answer.

  His chest tightened as he called louder, “Kate, it’s Kimi. I’m coming in.”

  With a gentle push, the door eased open, revealing what looked like a girl’s room. Everything appeared neat except for some scattered documents on the floor. Confusion flickered across his features until he spotted another door in the corner of the room. Hope sparked as he crossed over, rapping softly on that door.

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  “Kate, you in there?” he asked, his tone steady yet laced with concern.

  There was a pause, and then a muffled, slightly startled murmur came through. “Um… yes, I’m in here.”

  Relief washed over him, loosening the tension in his shoulders. “Great. You hadn’t come down, and I wondered if something had happened.”

  Katherine’s tentative voice rang out. “Kimi… I need your help.”

  A small, knowing smile tugged at Kimi’s lips. He gave himself a mental pat on the back, pleased he’d come up to check on her. “Of course, what do you need?”

  “I… um… I forgot to bring a towel into the bathroom. Could you grab one from the black backpack near the closet?”

  Kimi chuckled lightly at her bashfulness. “Sure, give me a sec.”

  He found the backpack and quickly unzipped it, rummaging until his fingers closed around the fabric of a quick-dry towel. With it in hand, he approached the bathroom door. “Kate, I’ve got the towel. Just open the door a little, and I’ll hand it to you.”

  “Thanks, Kimi,” she replied before adding, “Um… could you wait downstairs while I dry off?”

  “No problem. See you downstairs,” Kimi assured her, retreating to give her some privacy.

  Katherine heard the soft sound of his footsteps fading and let out a sigh of relief. She quickly dried herself off, exited the bathroom, and headed to the closet. Searching through her drawers, exasperation soon marred her features—her clothes were outdated, ill-fitting relics.

  She didn’t panic. She quickly thought about the backpack. She opened it, pulling out one of her brother’s T-shirts. It fell over her like a tent, the hem reaching mid-thigh. She wrapped the towel around her damp hair like a turban and caught her reflection in the mirror, cheeks flushing at the sight. I shouldn't have agreed for Kimi to come over! This is so embarrassing!

  After casting one last disapproving glance at herself, she pivoted and left the room.

  ……

  Gingerly, she went down the stairs, each step echoing her mortification. As she descended, Kimi couldn’t help but trace the line of her long, slender, bare legs. He was enthralled by the delicate appearance the outfit gave her, the shirt’s soft fabric outlining the curves of her body.

  Kimi’s throat tightened involuntarily, quickly shifting his gaze away as the flush in his cheeks betrayed his thoughts. He felt as if he was on the verge of a nosebleed, his pulse quickening as he tried to regain his composure.

  As Katherine reached the bottom step, she offered him a small, shy smile. “Kimi, would you like something to drink?”

  Kimi shook his head. “No, I’m good. You should take off the towel, though. Your hair won’t dry properly if you leave it tied up. You might get a headache.”

  Her heart warmed in appreciation. But as her damp hair fell to her shoulders, she suddenly felt like a soggy mess, unaware that, in Kimi’s eyes, her every move was titillating. He forced his attention back to neutral ground, mentally chiding himself for the tension building between them.

  Katherine draped the towel over the armchair and ran her fingers through her slightly wavy hair, trying to loosen any tangles. “I’m sorry I made you wait so long,” she rued, her voice laced with self-consciousness. “I got out of the shower and realized none of my clothes fit anymore. I had to grab one of my brother’s shirts. I’m sorry you had to see me like this.” She gestured to the oversized garment, her expression sheepish.

  Kimi, who’d never known what irresistible temptation was until this moment, spoke before he could stop himself. “Don’t apologize, Kate. You look… beautiful. Forgive me for being too forward, but I’m not sorry to see you like this. If you’re uncomfortable, I can leave.”

  Katherine blinked, taken aback by his candor. Her heart fluttered in response, guilt and something deeper intertwining as she absorbed his compliment.

  “No, please don’t,” she whispered. “You’ve been incredibly kind and understanding, and it means a lot. I just… I’ve been so overwhelmed tonight. I’ve calmed down, but I’m unsure how to face Seven.”

  Uncertain about what Katherine meant, Kimi prompted her to clarify.

  A flicker of sadness passed over Katherine’s face. “My dad… he adopted Seven and—” The words lodged in her throat, suffocating her.

  “It’s okay… take your time,” Kimi gently urged.

  Katherine nodded, a mix of apprehension and self-reproach coloring her features. “My father practically tortured Seven after adopting him, training him to be my protector—to take care of me. I feel… so guilty… like I’m responsible for all his suffering.”

  Kimi leaned forward, his tone measured yet reassuring. “Kate, do you recall what Seven said this evening? There wasn’t a trace of resentment,” he paused, letting his point sink in.

  Then, he added, “I haven’t interacted much with him, but I can tell he’s an upstanding guy. He’s not even troubled by the consequences of saving Sana. Do you believe he would harbor any ill feelings toward you? Consider this: he’s always known he was adopted, yet he embraced you and your parents as his own family. The best way forward is to continue treating him as your brother. It’s evident that familial bonds go beyond blood, and your acceptance means more to him than any shared genes.”

  Katherine’s red-rimmed eyes brimmed with tears. She nodded slowly, relief replacing her earlier turmoil. “You’re right,” she murmured, her gaze filled with quiet gratitude. “Thank you, Kimi. You’ve helped me see things more clearly.”