The Beyonder's Prophecy
Copyright© 2025 by Subconscious_P
Chapter 23
Erotica Sex Story: Chapter 23 - Jalen Moss has two years to get eight women pregnant... or humanity dies. Jalen Moss was just trying to build a decent life for himself. Then one night, everything changed. A cosmic entity known as The Architect appears in his bedroom with a prophecy that makes no sense-and gives him no choice. Within two years, Jalen must father eight children... with eight different women. These children will grow into the heroes destined to save the world. If he fails? Humanity doesn't survive.
Caution: This Erotica Sex Story contains strong sexual content, including Ma/Fa Consensual Romantic Heterosexual Fiction Sports Workplace Cheating Sharing Harem Polygamy/Polyamory Interracial Black Male White Female Hispanic Female Facial Massage Masturbation Oral Sex Pregnancy Big Breasts Public Sex Size AI Generated
That night after Kristen and Heidi both left, Jalen was still resting on his couch, his abdomen still sore from the wound, when he remembered that he was supposed to see Jessica Robinson again.
Unfortunately, he had gotten shot literally right after their last “not-a-date” meetup. She had no idea what happened and probably thought he had ghosted her.
How the hell do you explain something like this? he thought.
He stared at his phone for a moment before finally typing out a text message to her.
Jalen: “Hey, I know I kinda disappeared on you, but I promise it’s not what you think. Can we talk?”
He hit SEND and exhaled. Now came the waiting. Then about fifteen minutes later:
Jessica: “Oh, so you DO still exist? Thought maybe I imagined you.”
Jalen smiled. She was clearly annoyed, but at least she was responding.
Jalen: “Yeah ... about that. I swear I wasn’t ghosting you. I was in the hospital.”
A pause. Then the dots appeared again.
Jessica: “Hospital?? What happened??”
Jalen took a breath. No more dancing around it.
Jalen: “I got shot.”
Jessica: “Jalen, don’t joke about that.”
Jalen: “I’m not”
Jessica: “Jalen, seriously, are you fucking with me right now?”
Jalen: “I wish I was. Someone tried to kill me.”
Jalen lifted up his shirt and snapped an image of the wrap around his midsection. He then texted the image to Jessica.
There was a long pause this time. He imagined Jessica staring at her phone in absolute disbelief.
Then suddenly his phone began buzzing repeatedly. It was Jessica actually calling him now.
Jalen sighed. Here we go. He accepted the call and held the phone to his ear.
“Yes?” Jalen answered with an amused tone.
“What the hell happened?!” Jessica demanded, her voice a mix of concern and frustration.
Jalen rubbed his forehead. “Look, before you freak out—”
“I AM freaking out!” Jessica cut in. “You got shot, and I’m only just now finding out about it?!”
“I know, I know. I should have told you sooner.”
“Damn right you should have! Jesus, Jalen, are you okay? Where are you? Who did this? Do you know why?!”
Jalen let out a dry chuckle. “One question at a time, Jessica.”
Jessica huffed. “Well, excuse me for wanting to know why the guy I just went out with is suddenly getting shot like we’re in a damn movie.”
Jalen sighed. “I’m okay. I got lucky. I’m home now, recovering. As for who did this? That’s ... complicated.”
There was a long pause.
“Jalen ... tell me the truth. Are you in some kind of dangerous lifestyle?”
He could hear the worry in her voice.
“No,” he said firmly. “I’m not in a gang. I don’t sell drugs. I don’t do anything illegal, but ... I may have one or two enemies ... and one of them wanted me gone.”
Jessica was quiet for a moment. Then softly said, “Do you have protection?”
Jalen was a little caught off guard by the question. “Yeah. Police are keeping an eye on me, but honestly? I’m more worried about the people in my life than myself.”
Jessica sighed. “I ... I don’t even know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything. I just didn’t want you to think I was ignoring you.”
There was a beat of silence before she said, “You’re an idiot, you know that?”
Jalen smiled. “I’ve been told.”
Jessica exhaled. “I’m coming over.”
Jalen sat up. “Wait, what?”
“You heard me. I need to see you for myself. Make sure you’re actually okay and not being stupid in your recovery.”
Jalen hesitated. He didn’t want to drag her into this mess, and the other women had already made sure he was good for the next couple of days. But the fact that Jessica was choosing to come see him really meant something.
“Alright,” he said finally. “I’ll text you my address.”
Jessica sighed again. “I can’t believe this shit. First, you tell me you have seven pregnant women, and now you get SHOT? What the hell did I get myself into, Jalen?”
Jalen smiled. “Guess you’ll find out.”
An hour later, Jessica, or rather, Jennifer Rollins, pulled up to Jalen’s apartment building, dressed in jeans, a fitted off-the-shoulder cream-colored sweater, black low-heeled ankle boots, and a leather jacket with her cooper-red hair cascading over her shoulders.
She wasn’t in her Jessica Robinson persona this time, which was rare outside of her home these days.
Right now, she was Jennifer. The woman underneath it all who inexplicably but undeniably cared about this guy she met a week ago.
The place was quiet, except for the marked police car parked nearby. Its presence was a stark reminder of why she was even here.
As soon as she stepped out of her car, an officer approached.
“Ma’am, may I ask what business you have here?”
Jennifer blinked, caught a little off guard.
Right. The police protection.
“I’m here to see Jalen Moss,” she said smoothly. “He’s expecting me.”
The officer didn’t budge. “Name?”
“Jennifer Rollins.”
He narrowed his eyes slightly, as if trying to recall if she was on any approved list.
“One moment.”
Jennifer sighed, pulled out her phone, and dialed Jalen. He picked up almost immediately.
“Hey, I’m here,” Jennifer said loud enough for the officer to hear. “But your babysitters won’t let me through.”
Jalen chuckled, his voice still a bit strained but warm. “Put me on speaker.”
Jennifer held up the phone, and the officer leaned in slightly.
“She’s good,” Jalen said. “Let her through.”
The officer exhaled, then nodded. “Alright, go ahead, Ms. Rollins, but just a heads up, we’ll be around.”
Jennifer rolled her eyes. “Noted.”
She ended the call, pocketed her phone, and made her way toward Jalen’s apartment, taking a deep breath before knocking. A few minutes later, Jalen opened the door, and Jennifer immediately scanned him up and down.
His silver button-up shirt from the night at St. Regis Bar was replaced with a simple grey T-shirt, slightly loose to accommodate his injury along with some sweatpants. His usual confident posture was a little stiffer, a reminder that he was still recovering, but the moment their eyes met, her irritation softened into something else: concern.
“Jesus, Jalen...”
Before he could say anything, she stepped inside and closed the door, then gently placed her hand on his side, right near where the bullet had gone through.
“Does it hurt?” she asked, her voice quieter now.
Jalen smiled, but it was a tired one. “Not as much as it did before.”
Jennifer exhaled, shaking her head. “You’re insane. I swear, I meet you one time, and suddenly, you’re in the middle of some damn crime thriller.”
Jalen chuckled. “Yeah, well ... welcome to my world.”
She sighed, then stepped back, crossing her arms.
“Okay. Now, tell me everything. I want the whole story.”
Jalen motioned toward the couch. “You might want to sit down for this.”
Jennifer hesitated, then nodded and took a seat. Jalen sat beside her carefully, wincing slightly but trying to hide it.
“You sure you’re okay?” she asked again.
Jalen nodded. “I promise.”
Jennifer narrowed her eyes but didn’t push it. “Alright then. Start talking.”
Then Jalen told her everything. Jennifer sat with her arms crossed, listening intently as Jalen recounted everything. He reminded her how Megan had been trapped in a controlling, emotionally abusive marriage, how she had secretly planned her escape, and how her husband, Chris Westward, a powerful and well-connected lawyer, wasn’t about to let go without a fight.
Then he told Jennifer about the shooting itself, including how it happened not even ten minutes after she had left in her ride that night after their “not date”. He finished by telling her that the police hadn’t caught the suspect but were reviewing street camera footage in the hopes of leading them to where he is.
“We don’t have direct proof yet,” Jalen admitted, “but we’re all pretty damn sure Chris ordered the hit on me. Megan leaving him? Fine, maybe he could deal with that, but the idea that she might’ve left him for someone like me probably broke him.”
Jennifer raised an eyebrow. “So, this guy is a full-on narcissist, huh?”
Jalen nodded. “Big-time. He’s rich, entitled, and used to getting his way. He also knows how to cover his tracks, which is why we haven’t been able to pin anything on him yet.”
Jennifer leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees. “So, what’s next? If you can’t prove it was him, what do you do? Just ... wait until he tries again?”
Jalen exhaled slowly, shaking his head. “No. We’re going to build a case. Karla, Megan’s lawyer, is already working on Megan’s divorce, and now that this has happened, she’s making sure I have police protection. We’re also trying to keep Megan off his radar for as long as possible.”
“And Karla’s having your baby too, right?” Jennifer clarified.
Jalen exhaled. “Yeah, she is.”
“Aren’t there some kind of ethical violations she needs to worry about?” Jennifer asked curiously.
“Yes, but most of them shouldn’t be an issue because Megan is fully aware of her baby and her personal ties to me and wants to keep her as her attorney,” Jalen explained. “Karla said she’ll deal with any other issues as they come.”
Jennifer absorbed all of this, tapping her red manicured acrylic nails against her knee. “Damn,” she muttered. “You weren’t joking when you said your life was a circus.”
Jalen gave a small laugh, but there was exhaustion behind it. “Yeah ... no dull moments.”
Jennifer studied him for a moment. “Alright. I have two questions.”
Jalen smiled. “Only two?”
She ignored the joke. “First, does this Megan woman still love him?”
Jalen’s expression darkened. “Hell no.”
Jennifer nodded. “Good. That makes this slightly less messy.”
Jalen tilted his head. “And the second question?”
Jennifer gave him a long, searching look before saying, “Are you safe? Like actually safe?”
Jalen exhaled and leaned back into the couch. “I have cops outside my building, and Karla’s making sure I stay protected. So, for now? Yeah, but if Chris is behind this and is willing to send someone after me once, I doubt he’ll stop there.”
Jennifer pursed her lips, shaking her head. “Jesus, Jalen ... What the hell did I just walk into?”
Jalen chuckled, despite everything. “To be fair, I did try to leave that night in your dressing room.”
Jennifer rolled her eyes. “Oh, shut up.”
For a long moment, neither of them spoke. Then Jennifer sighed, rubbing her temple. “Alright. I don’t know what’s crazier, the fact that some psycho lawyer may have tried to have you killed, or the fact that I’m still sitting here listening to all of this instead of running for the damn hills.”
Jalen grinned slightly. “Must mean something, huh?”
Jennifer looked at him, then let out a quiet, frustrated laugh. “Yeah. Unfortunately, it does.”
They were silent for another moment as they both processed what she had just said. Jalen couldn’t help but feel a warmth spread through him after hearing her basically admit that she was already starting to care for him.
He smiled before asking, “So, have we decided if I’m calling you Jennifer or the other name from now on?”
Jennifer smiled, tilting her head as she studied Jalen. “You’re really hung up on that, huh?”
Jalen shrugged, his usual cocky smile playing on his lips. “I just want to make sure I’m addressing the real you, but if Jessica is who you are now, I’ll roll with it.”
She sighed, leaning back against the couch. “Jessica is who the world knows. It’s the brand, the persona, the woman that makes men weak in the knees and pays my bills, but Jennifer...” She hesitated, biting the inside of her cheek. “Jennifer is the girl I was before all that. The girl no one really cared about knowing until now.”
Jalen held her gaze, his expression softer now. “Then I want to know Jennifer.”
Jennifer exhaled through her nose, shaking her head as if she couldn’t believe what she was about to say. “You can call me Jennifer ... when it’s just us.”
Jalen’s smile widened, something warm and victorious in his eyes. “I can work with that.”
The evening essentially turned into an impromptu date at Jalen’s apartment. Jalen told Jennifer where to find some wine and some snacks.
She then wandered into his kitchen, opening cabinets until she found a bottle of red wine and a glass. She grabbed a bag of chips and some chocolate-covered almonds from the pantry before heading back to the couch, where Jalen was propped up with pillows, still recovering but looking more alive than when she first walked in.
“I feel like I’m breaking some kind of rule drinking wine while you’re on pain meds,” she teased, pouring herself a glass.
Jalen chuckled. “You can make up for it by eating half that bag of almonds. Gotta balance out the vices.”
Jennifer shook her head, taking a sip before settling next to him. “Alright, you wanted to know the real me. Ask away.”
“I’ll start with a simple one. Do you perform just at the Ice and Flame Club, or do you perform at other places too?” Jalen asked.
Jennifer took a slow sip of her wine before answering. “Mostly at Ice and Flame. I have a long-term contract with them, and they treat me well, but I do perform at other places from time to time. Private events, exclusive lounges, a couple of jazz festivals. I’ve even done a corporate gala or two when the money was too good to turn down.”
Jalen raised an eyebrow. “Corporate galas? Can’t imagine Jessica Robinson working a room full of CEOs and accountants.”
Jennifer smiled. “Oh, you’d be surprised. Wealthy men love a woman they can’t have, and Jessica was built for that.” She exhaled, twirling the stem of her wine glass between her fingers. “But those gigs don’t feel the same. Ice and Flame is where I can really be her, where the atmosphere fits the performance. The other venues are more about the spectacle, the brand, and I guess I can’t complain. I built that brand.”
Jalen nodded, watching her closely. “And what about you? Do you ever get tired of being Jessica Robinson? Tired of the whole act?”
Jennifer hesitated, then leaned back against the couch, stretching her legs out.
“Yeah ... sometimes, but Jessica gave me a life I never thought I’d have. She gave me control and power. I don’t know if I’d be ready to let go of that, even if I wanted to.”
Jalen studied her for a moment, then smiled. “Yeah, but it sounds like you’re the one who built all of that, not Jessica. The way I see it, Jennifer Rollins was pulling the strings all along.”
Jennifer blinked at him, processing his words. Then, slowly, a small smile formed on her lips. “Maybe you’re right, Jalen Moss. Maybe you’re right.”
Jalen studied her for a moment, noting how different she seemed compared to the sultry, unattainable Jessica Robinson he first saw on stage.
Her long copper-red hair was now loose and slightly tousled, falling in soft waves over her shoulders, a contrast from the sleek, perfectly styled curls she wore as Jessica. Her makeup was minimal, with a light touch of mascara and a natural, pinkish lip balm, but gone was the bold red lipstick, the purplish smoky eyes, and the high-glam contouring.
This was Jennifer, unguarded, raw, and real. Here, in his living room, barefoot, curled up with a glass of wine, she wasn’t a goddess on display. She was a woman. An incredible woman at that.
“Okay,” Jalen said, adjusting himself slightly. “What’s something people assume about you that’s completely wrong?”
Jennifer smiled. “That I’m this confident, in-control, untouchable woman all the time. That I don’t have moments where I doubt myself. Jessica’s all that, but Jennifer sometimes is still that scared girl who had to learn how to survive on her own.”
Jalen nodded, taking that in. “So, what’s your biggest regret?”
Jennifer’s smile faded a little, and she stared into her glass before answering. “That I had to create Jessica in the first place. I mean, I love what I do. I love performing, but sometimes, I wonder if I would’ve been happier if I never had to put up walls in the first place.”
Jalen reached out, taking her free hand in his. “You don’t have to keep them up around me.”
Jennifer let out a soft, almost disbelieving laugh, shaking her head. “You’re dangerous, Jalen Moss. You make a woman want to believe in things she shouldn’t.”
Jalen smiled but didn’t let go of her hand. “You’re not the first one to tell me that.”
They sat like that for a while, talking, laughing, and peeling back layers. Jennifer told him about growing up in a strict household, how she left home at 18 and never looked back, how she tried college but realized it wasn’t what she wanted and dropped out, and how she built her career as a singer from nothing after being rejected as an aspiring actress.
Jalen told her about his mother, his complicated relationship with his brother, his love for basketball, and how his life took a turn he never could’ve expected (without mentioning the Beyonder or the prophecy, of course).
At some point, Jennifer curled into his side, her head resting against his shoulder, and Jalen realized that this impromptu date was probably more intimate than any dinner at a five-star restaurant could’ve been.
He didn’t need Jessica Robinson right now. He needed Jennifer Rollins.
She sipped her wine slowly, her fingers lazily tracing the rim of the glass as they talked. Jalen could tell she wasn’t used to letting her guard down like this. Maybe no one had ever truly asked her about her before; about the woman behind the performances and the untouchable allure.
“So, tell me something you’ve never told anyone,” Jalen said, tilting his head as he watched her.
Jennifer scoffed playfully. “That’s a pretty bold request.”
Jalen smiled. “You should know by now, I’m a bold guy.”
She exhaled through her nose, setting her wine glass down on the coffee table. “Alright ... something I’ve never told anyone?” She thought for a moment before finally speaking.
“When I was little, I used to sneak out of bed just to watch old black-and-white movies with my grandma. She’d fall asleep in her recliner, but I’d stay up, memorizing the way the women moved, the way they carried themselves. That’s where Jessica Robinson was born. She wasn’t supposed to be me. She was supposed to be untouchable. A dream. A fantasy.”
Jalen leaned forward, his forearms resting on his knees. “But now she is you, or, at least, a part of you.”
Jennifer nodded slowly. “Yeah. Somewhere along the way, the lines blurred. I became her, and she became me. Now, I don’t even know where one of us ends and the other begins.”
Jalen took her hand gently, his thumb stroking the back of it. “Well, I like this you. The one sitting across from me, in my apartment, drinking wine with no shoes on. The one who doesn’t have to be Jessica Robinson if she doesn’t want to be.”
Jennifer swallowed, staring at their joined hands. She looked up at him with something unspoken passing between them.
“Jalen...”
He could see the conflict in her eyes. The pull was there, just like it had been with the others, but she was still fighting it and he wasn’t going to push.
“You ain’t gotta say anything,” Jalen said softly. “Just be here. Be you. That’s enough for me.”
Jennifer let out a breath she probably hadn’t realized she was holding.
Jalen looked at her and saw a women that looked safe, maybe for the first time in a long time.
Jennifer stretched, rolling her neck slightly as she glanced at the digital clock on Jalen’s Microwave. “Damn. It’s already 1 AM?”
Jalen chuckled, shaking his head. “Guess that means we had a good time.”
She exhaled, setting down her empty wine glass on the table. “Yeah ... we did.”
For a moment, they just looked at each other. There was a comfort between them now.
Jennifer tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and hesitated before saying, “I should probably get going.”
Jalen leaned back on the couch, eyes still locked on her. “You could stay.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”
He smiled. “Not like that. Just ... you don’t have to rush out. Stay a little longer. No pressure.”
Jalen watched her considered it. She could leave, slip back into her world, her routine, her carefully controlled existence, or she could let herself have this moment, just a little longer.
She exhaled and settled back into the couch, curling her legs beneath her. “Okay, but only for a little while.”
Jalen just smiled.
Eight hours later, Jennifer stirred first, shifting slightly and feeling a weight around her waist. It took her a second to register that she wasn’t in her own bed. Hell, she wasn’t even in a bed at all. She was on Jalen’s couch, tucked into his side, his arm draped lazily around her like it belonged there.
For a brief moment, she panicked, her mind racing to figure out how this had happened. Then, it all came back.
The hours of talking, the laughter, the way time slipped away from them until they both just ... drifted off. She glanced back at Jalen who was laying behind her, still fast asleep with his slow and steady breathing.
Jennifer sighed, closing her eyes again. She should get up. She should go, but damn, it felt good to just be here and just exist in a moment without expectations, performing, or thinking. Instead of moving, she let herself sink into the warmth of his body, allowing herself this stolen moment of peace before the real world came calling.
About 30 minutes later, Jalen blinked awake, his body instinctively stretching before he registered the warmth pressed against him. His arm was still draped around Jennifer, her smaller frame curled into his side.
The fact that she was still there clearly surprised him. He probably had expected her to be gone, slipping out quietly in the early hours, leaving him with only the memory of their conversation, but she wasn’t. She was still there, still nestled against him, still breathing slow and steady.
Jalen tilted his head slightly to look down at her. She was awake, though she hadn’t moved much, her green eyes staring at the ceiling as if lost in thought.
“You’re still here,” he murmured, his voice rough with sleep.
Jennifer turned her head toward him, her expression unreadable. “Yeah ... I guess I am.”
Jalen studied her, searching for any sign of regret, but he didn’t see any. Just a quiet sort of contemplation.
“You okay?” he asked.
She hesitated, then nodded. “Yeah. I think so.”
Jalen smiled. “Didn’t expect you to be a couch sleeper.”
Jennifer scoffed, shaking her head. “Neither did I, but ... I don’t know. I didn’t want to leave.”
Jalen’s expression told Jessica he was absorbing her words as his smile softened into something more genuine. “I’m glad you stayed.”
Jennifer glanced away, biting her lip like she was trying to suppress a smile. “Don’t read too much into it.”
Jalen chuckled. “Too late.”
For a moment, they just laid there, neither of them in a hurry to move, to shatter whatever this was.
“Well, I better get going for real this time, couch boy.” Jennifer said.
“When’s your next performance?” Jalen asked.
“Well, I took the week off to do a few gigs in New York. I fly out tomorrow. My next show at Ice and Flame is not this Sunday but the Sunday after that, at 10 PM.” She paused mid-stretch to look at him more closely. “Why?”
“How would you feel if I came to see it?” he asked.
Jennifer stared at him, looking at Jalen with an expression he couldn’t quite decipher.
“Aren’t you supposed to be resting and recovering?” she asked with an eyebrow raised.
“I’d just be coming to watch, not breakdance.” Jalen said, chuckling. “Also, by then, I should be feeling a lot better according to what the doctor told me.”
“You really want to come see me perform again?”
Jalen shrugged, but his eyes never left hers. “Yeah. I meant it when I said I want to know you. Not just Jennifer Rollins, but Jessica Robinson too.”
Jennifer let out a short laugh, shaking her head as she grabbed her purse. “You’re persistent, I’ll give you that.”
Jalen smiled. “And?”
She exhaled through her nose, amused but thoughtful. “And ... I guess I don’t hate the idea.”
Jalen raised a brow. “That’s the most noncommittal ‘yes’ I’ve ever heard.”
Jennifer rolled her eyes, but there was a small smile playing on her lips. “Fine. Yes, you can come. Just ... don’t make it weird.”
Jalen chuckled. “I’ll do my best.”
She gave him one last lingering look before making her way to the door. “See you around, Jalen.”
As she stepped out, Jalen sat back against the couch, watching the door close behind her.
Later that week, on Thursday evening. Jalen had a scheduled Zoom call to chat with all seven of the pregnant women in his life.
Two days after Jalen’s night with Jessica, Karla had gotten everyone, including Chrysti, on a important group call explaining that all physical contact between them and Jalen would need to be suspended for the time being because it now clear that the anonymous call that Karla received was fully creditable.
Not only were Jalen and Megan being watched by private investigators, but Kristen had informed Karla that she had noticed an unusual SUV with heavily tinted windows parked outside of Wellness Georgia, and Sydney had told Karla that she’d seen the same SUV parked near hers in her condo one night. Karla had also seen a suspicious looking man hanging around her office and even noticed a vehicle following her home.
So, in an abundace of caution for everyone’s safety and privacy, Karla got everyone on a call and informed them that they needed to keep their distance from each other for the time being.
No one was happy about this, especially given Jalen’s condition. In fact, they were furious.
“This is such bullshit!” Rachel had practically yelled on the group call. “Are we really letting this piece of shit dictate our lives?”
“What about Jalen?” Heidi had said, sounding very concerned. “He’s still recovering. He’ll need us to be around to help.”
“I’ll be okay, Heidi,” Jalen reassured her. “I can get around my apartment just fine. But I agree with Rach. This really is bullshit.”
“I know,” Karla said, sympathetically. “Believe me, I’m just as frustrated about this as you all are, but this isn’t just about the case. Jalen was attacked, and while we don’t know for sure that Chris Westward was behind it, we have to operate as if he was out of caution. I don’t want any of you in danger.”
“I’m ... I’m really sorry about all this everyone.” Megan had said somberly.
“Megan, this isn’t your fault,” Kristen said. “You were deceived into marrying a monster, and now you’re free. We’d rather do this then have you go back to him.”
“Kristen’s right, Megan,” Chrysti said, speaking up, which surprised many on the call. “No one deserves to be trapped in that situation.”
The other women expressed their sentiments about how frustrating the situation was, but ultimately, everyone understood and agreed with Karla’s directive.
So now, after having not seen any of the women in his life practically all week, Jalen logged onto the Zoom call, adjusting the laptop on his coffee table.
One by one, the women appeared on the screen: Karla, Kristen, Rachel, Sydney, Heidi, Megan, and finally, Chrysti. Seeing all their faces together, even through a screen, gave Jalen a sense of calm despite everything going on.
“Hey, ladies,” Jalen said, offering a small smile.
“Hey,” they all responded in a mix of warm and concerned tones.
“First things first,” Sydney said, crossing her arms, “How are you feeling? And don’t give us some macho answer. We need the truth.”
Jalen exhaled. “I feel ... sore, tired, and annoyed that I still struggle getting up sometimes.” He smiled. “But I’m alright. I swear.”
Rachel squinted at the screen. “Are you actually resting, or have you been pushing yourself too hard again?”
Jalen chuckled. “I promise I’ve been chilling. No heavy lifting. No running marathons.”
Karla nodded, relieved. “Good because the last thing we need is for you to end up back in the hospital.”
Kristen shifted in her seat. “And we’re still being careful, right? Chris’s PIs are still out there, right?”
“Yeah,” Karla answered. “It’s clear that the tip I got was one hundred percent legit. He’s doubling down. He’s having his people follow us, but so far, nothing solid on what exactly he’s looking for.”
Heidi frowned. “He doesn’t have proof of anything. All he has is his own ego and suspicions.”
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