Hearing her question, Jay drew in a sharp breath and hurried to clarify,
"I was talking about the apple Moona, and Maxi gave me."
Only then did he realize, with a sudden jolt of guilt, that he had never mentioned it to Ember before.
His words spilled out in a rush, every detail laid bare, as if honesty alone could undo the danger he had already invited inside their lives.
Ember froze once she heard everything.
She stared at Jay as if she were looking at a complete fool. "Why didn't you wear gloves?"
Her voice trembled, sharp with panic she could no longer hide.
"I did," Jay answered immediately, lifting his hands as if to prove it.
"I wore gloves the whole time. I don't know how it still happened, but somehow… I still got contaminated."
Those words struck Ember like a blow. Her fingers began to shake, a cold dread crawling up her spine.
Ivy's voice echoed in her mind, clear and merciless.
