The church buzzed with life.

Snow trickled against the stained-glass windows, and the sound of voices and music echoed warmly through the tall rafters. Tables were lined with food, candles flickered gently, and Jackson’s people celebrated another safe winter.

Ellie weaved through the crowd, pulse pounding harder than she wanted to admit. She spotted Joel near the front, sipping cider, laughing at something Maria had said before she stepped away.

She walked up slowly. “Joel. Got a minute?”

Joel turned, smiling. “Hey, kiddo. You okay?”

Ellie glanced around at the happy crowd, then back at him. “Can we talk? Somewhere quieter?”

Joel’s smile faded, but he nodded. “Sure.”

They didn’t leave the church—just walked into a side alcove, behind a thick wooden column near the choir area. Music and laughter still carried through, muffled now.

“What’s goin’ on?” Joel asked, folding his arms.

Ellie looked at the ground, then forced herself to meet his eyes. “I’ve been seeing someone. Dating.”

Joel raised a brow. “Well, good for you. That why you look like you’re about to throw up?”

She laughed once, sharp and nervous. “It’s Abby.”

A pause.

Joel blinked. “Abby who?”

Ellie: “Abby Anderson.”

Silence. Long. Cold.

Joel’s jaw tightened. “Say that again.”

Ellie: “Abby Anderson,” Ellie said, firmer now. “I’m dating her.”

Joel stepped back slightly. “You mean to tell me you’re with the daughter of the man I—” he stopped himself, voice lowering. “The surgeon I killed to save you?”

Ellie didn’t flinch. “Yeah.”

Joel stared at her, anger slowly rising in his eyes. “Jesus, Ellie. Are you hearin’ yourself? That girl—”

Ellie: “She’s not her father And I wasn’t just some goddamn monster either, but that didn’t stop her from nearly beatin’ me to death!” Ellie’s voice cracked. “And I nearly burned down everything I had chasing her! We both made choices, Joel. Bad ones. But we found something in each other that makes the pain suck a little less.”

Joel shook his head. "Im going inside im gonna find her." he goes inside the church