The quiet week following the threats and chaos felt unnervingly peaceful. Jack's absence was both a relief and a source of mounting dread. The silence seemed to forewarn something terrible, a calm before the storm. The more tranquil things became, the more paranoid Emily felt. Was Jack biding his time, preparing something worse than before?

Stepping into her therapist's office, Emily clung to the fragile veneer of normalcy she had crafted. The familiar scent of lavender mixed with a faint hint of citrus was supposed to comfort her, but today it felt stifling. She was tired of the pretense, tired of convincing herself and others that she was okay when she was anything but.

Ms. Daniels greeted Emily with her usual warm smile, a contrast to the turmoil roiling inside her.

"Oh Emily, I was waiting for you," she said.

"Hello!" Emily responded with a practiced cheerfulness that didn't quite reach her eyes. "I always look forward to our sessions; they're so helpful. I'm doing great now, don't you think?"

Emily plastered on a smile, hoping the façade would be enough to get through another session. She wanted this to end. She didn't need Ms. Daniels or anyone else telling her she had problems. Killing Jack might be extreme, but it felt like justice—something Emily had to do for Rose, for herself.

"How's Jack?" Ms. Daniels asked, her tone casual yet piercing.

The question jolted Emily. Her heart skipped a beat, and she had to fight to keep her expression neutral. This was unexpected. Did Ms. Daniels know something? Was she in league with him?

"Jack?" Emily repeated, trying to sound nonchalant. Inside, she was a tempest of anxiety. Did Ms. Daniels suspect her? Was she trying to catch her off guard?

"Yes, dear. A couple of weeks ago, I saw you both together at a coffee shop. I know him since he used to come here too. I just assumed you were friends. I'm sorry if I'm wrong."

Jack had been a patient here? The revelation hit Emily like a ton of bricks. Her thoughts scrambled to piece together what this could mean. Was he seeking help or was he playing a game? Emily needed to stay calm.

"Right," Emily said, forcing a laugh. "I didn't realize he came here. Just curious, why did he come here?"

"You know I can't disclose other patient records, Emily. But I'm sure he'll tell you himself if he wants to."

The thin veneer of civility felt like it was slipping. What Jack wanted was to hurt Emily, not to open up. Her thoughts raced. Was this a trap? Was Ms. Daniels trying to find out if Emily knew too much?

"Right," Emily said again, this time with less enthusiasm. "I guess I'll just focus on myself. Hopefully, I can improve."

The session proceeded with its usual routine, but Emily's mind was far from present. She couldn't shake the feeling that she was being played, that there were layers of deception she couldn't yet see. Was Ms. Daniels aware of something more sinister?

As Emily left the office, the weight of the past few weeks pressed heavily on her shoulders. Her heart felt like it was being tugged in two directions. She was drawn to Jack, a twisted part of her still cared for him despite everything, but another part—her rational mind—warned her of the danger he posed.

With each step home, Emily wrestled with conflicting emotions. The silence of the week was both a reprieve and a prelude to more chaos. The peaceful facade of the school and her life felt like a fragile shell, ready to crack open.

She needed to act before things spiraled further. She had to be decisive, to follow through on the choice she had made. The problem was, she still wasn't sure if her heart or her mind was leading her. Could she truly reconcile the love she felt with the need for vengeance?

The thought of Jack's smile, that chilling smile from the other day, haunted her. The depth of her feelings and the gravity of what she had to do loomed over her. She needed clarity, and fast. The calm was too dangerous—it meant Jack was plotting, waiting for the right moment.

One thing was clear: the storm was coming, and Emily had to be ready to face it. The choice between love and justice had never been more stark. For now, she could only hope that she was strong enough to see it through.