And the Answer is...

The next evening, Miranda sat in her car outside Havenbrook’s modest café, her fingers drumming against the steering wheel. The playlist had been a resounding success. Bree was responding better than Miranda had anticipated, her eagerness to please growing more evident with each interaction. But Miranda knew it wasn’t enough. She needed to push further.

Garrett was expecting results. No, he’s expecting more than results. He’s expecting loyalty. Devotion. The thought sent a shiver through Miranda, her body reacting instinctively to the weight of his imagined gaze. She clenched her thighs together, biting her lip to suppress the warmth building within her.

“I can’t fail him,” she whispered. Her reflection in the rearview mirror stared back at her, composed yet determined. This time, there would be no mistakes.

Gathering herself, Miranda stepped out of the car and entered the café. Bree was already there, sitting at their usual table by the window, her hands wrapped around a steaming cup of coffee. Her face lit up when she saw Miranda, a bright smile spreading across her lips.

“Miranda!” Bree stood quickly, smoothing her skirt. Her nervous energy was palpable, her excitement barely contained.

“Bree,” Miranda greeted warmly, leaning in to kiss her on the cheek—a gesture that left Bree blushing furiously. “I’m glad you could make it.”

They sat, and for a while, their conversation flowed effortlessly. Bree was radiant, her eyes sparkling as she recounted her day, occasionally touching Miranda’s hand across the table, lingering just a little too long. Miranda allowed the touches but never reciprocated, keeping Bree in a state of longing. The subtle tension between them was almost tangible, and Miranda could see how much Bree wanted her approval.

But tonight wasn’t about small talk or playful teasing. Miranda had a mission.

As Bree took a sip of her coffee, Miranda leaned in, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “Bree, I need your help.”

Bree blinked, setting her cup down. “Anything. What do you need?”

Miranda reached into her bag and pulled out a small, discreet package—a phone. She placed it gently on the table between them, her fingers lingering on the edge.

“I need you to bring this into Havenbrook,” Miranda said softly, her eyes locked on Bree’s.

Bree’s smile faltered. “Wait… what?”

“It’s for Garrett,” Miranda continued, keeping her tone steady and calm. “It’s part of the program. He needs it to communicate with me between sessions.”

Bree’s expression darkened, her gaze flickering to the phone and back to Miranda. “Miranda… that’s against protocol.”

Miranda leaned closer, lowering her voice further. “I know. But it’s necessary. We’re making incredible progress with Garrett. This will accelerate it.”

Bree shook her head slowly, her fingers twitching nervously. “I… I don’t know. It feels… risky.”

Miranda reached across the table, placing her hand over Bree’s. “I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important.”

Bree looked down at their joined hands, her cheeks flushing. “But why me?”

“Because I trust you,” Miranda said, her voice gentle but insistent. “And I know you want to see Garrett broken as much as I do.”

At the mention of Garrett, Bree’s expression hardened. “Cucky.” The word dripped with disdain. “I do want to see him suffer. He’s a relic of everything wrong with the old world.”

Miranda nodded, leaning in even closer. “Exactly. And this is how we make that happen.”

For a moment, Bree seemed to waver, her gaze lingering on the phone. But then she shook her head again, her shoulders sagging. “I… I can’t. It’s too risky. If I get caught…”

“You won’t,” Miranda assured her. “No one will suspect you.”

Bree bit her lip, her eyes darting around the café as if expecting someone to overhear. “But if they do… I’ll lose everything.”

Miranda’s heart sank, but she didn’t show it. Instead, she squeezed Bree’s hand gently. “You won’t lose anything. I promise.”

But Bree pulled her hand away, shaking her head firmly. “I’m sorry, Miranda. I just… I can’t do it.”

Miranda sat back, her mind racing. This wasn’t supposed to happen. Bree was supposed to be the perfect pawn—eager, loyal, and willing to do whatever it took to earn her approval. But now, she was pulling away.

“You’re disappointing me, Bree,” Miranda said softly, her voice laced with subtle reproach.

Bree flinched at the words, her eyes wide with hurt. “I… I don’t want to.”

“Then help me,” Miranda urged. “Prove that you’re committed to our work.”

Bree shook her head again, tears welling in her eyes. “I want to. I really do. But… I can’t.”

Miranda’s jaw tightened. She had miscalculated. Bree wasn’t as ready as she had thought. The younger woman was still clinging to the rules, to the illusion of morality.

“I thought you wanted to impress me,” Miranda said quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.

“I do,” Bree whispered back, her voice trembling. “More than anything.”

“Then why won’t you trust me?”

Tears spilled down Bree’s cheeks as she stood abruptly, grabbing her bag. “I’m sorry. I need to go.”

Miranda watched as Bree hurried out of the café, her heart pounding in her chest. The phone sat on the table, a stark reminder of her failure.

Garrett will be furious.

She leaned back in her chair, closing her eyes for a moment. Her mind drifted to the last time she had seen him—the way he had looked at her with disdain, the way his voice had cut through her like a knife.

“You failed me.”

The thought made her shiver. She couldn’t bear the thought of hearing those words again.

Gathering her things, Miranda left the café and walked back to her car. Her hands trembled as she gripped the steering wheel, her mind spinning with thoughts of what would happen next.

I have to fix this. I have to find another way.

But deep down, she knew the truth.

She had failed him.

And there would be consequences.

Back at Havenbrook, Bree sat in the staff lounge, staring blankly at her coffee cup. Her mind replayed the conversation with Miranda over and over, each word cutting deeper.

I disappointed her.

The thought made her chest ache. She had wanted so badly to prove herself, to show Miranda that she was worthy of her attention and approval. But when it mattered most, she had hesitated.

Tears welled in her eyes again, and she wiped them away quickly. She didn’t want anyone to see her like this.

“You okay?”

Bree looked up to see Latoya standing in the doorway, her expression concerned.

“Yeah,” Bree lied, forcing a smile. “Just… tired.”

Latoya nodded, stepping inside. “Long day?”

“Something like that.”

Her Sister studied her for a moment before sitting down across from her. “You know… if you ever need to talk, I’m here.”

Bree’s smile faltered. “Thanks, Sis. I appreciate it.”

As Latoya left, Bree sat alone in the lounge, her mind still consumed by thoughts of Miranda.

I need to fix this.

Grabbing her phone, Bree opened her messages and started typing.

Bree: Miranda… I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to disappoint you. Please let´s talk.

She stared at the message for a long moment before hitting send.