Filex's presence was like a beacon in the storm, steady and grounding. As he approached, Debbie noticed the tension in his usually calm demeanor.
"Everything okay out here?" he asked, his eyes flicking between her and Pasco.
Debbie hesitated, unsure how to answer. Pasco, however, took a step forward. "I'm Pasco. An old friend."
Filex's gaze hardened, and for a moment, Debbie swore she saw something flicker in his eyes—something almost otherworldly.
"I know who you are," Filex said evenly. "I've heard enough."
Debbie glanced at him, surprised by the edge in his voice.
Filex had always been composed, but there was a
protectiveness in his tone now that caught her off guard.
"Debbie," Filex said, turning to her, "you don't owe him anything—not your time, your energy, or your heart. Remember that."
Pasco's jaw tightened, but he didn't respond. Debbie felt caught between the two of them, the weight of her past and the promise of her future colliding in a way she wasn't ready to face.