She drew in a breath, ready to speak.
Phei lifted one finger—gentle, yet firm with finality. "Wait. Before you say it… let me make this easier for you."
Her mouth closed slowly.
"Here's what I'll do." He shifted on the jump seat, angling toward her, his voice dropping into something softer, more intimate. "I'll send someone you can trust who can be discreet with your secret. You tell her. Then the two of you decide together what happens next—whether she shares it with me, keeps it to herself or changes her mind tomorrow morning. The choice is entirely yours."
Her brow furrowed slightly. She was listening.
"She's someone I trust completely," he continued. "Whether you decide to trust her too… that's up to you. No pressure. Maybe she's exactly who I say she is. Maybe she isn't. Maybe she tells me or she keeps your secret forever. Who knows?"
"Here's the part that actually matters." His eyes held hers with quiet intensity.
