Chapter Forty

Jason sat across from Janet, his eyes downcast as she asked him why he always seemed so closed off with her. He knew that he couldn't keep his secrets from her forever, but he also knew that the truth would only push her away.

"It's not just that, Janet," he said, finally looking up at her. "There are things about me that you don't know, things that I'm not proud of."

Janet's brow furrowed in confusion. "What could you have possibly done that's so terrible?"

Jason let out a bitter laugh. "You have no idea, Janet. You have no idea who I really am."

Janet shook her head, determined to understand. "It doesn't matter, Jason. Whatever you've done, it's in the past. We can move forward together, and make a better future."

Jason's eyes flickered with emotion, and for a moment, he seemed like he might open up to her. But then he shook his head, his expression hardening once again.

"You don't understand, Janet. You don't know what I've done, what I'm capable of."

Janet reached across the table