44. (DANE POV)

(DANE POV)

Jealousy, an emotion I had never associated with Deirk, was now clawing at my insides, a bitter taste I couldn't shake off. "The hallway's still safe from sunlight, right?" I asked, needing a moment alone to wrestle with these unfamiliar feelings.

"Yeah, man, just steer clear of any doors near the bathroom," Deirk advised, his voice steady and unaware of the storm brewing in me.

I retreated to the bathroom, using the solitude to splash water on my face and regroup. The reflection that stared back showed signs of recovery, a visible improvement now that I had fed. But physical recovery was one thing; emotional unrest was another beast altogether. I repeated to myself that Jo's affection for Deirk was born out of necessity, not desire.

She loved me. Deirk was like a brother to her, nothing more.

Acknowledging this did little to quell the jealousy that seethed within. It felt wrong to harbor such feelings towards my brother, who had stepped up in my absence to care for Jo. "I