**Chapter 22: The Weight of Secrets**

As Noah sat beside Jacquie, stroking her hair, he couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. The weight of his discovery pressed down on him, and he knew he had to tread carefully. He glanced at Jacquie, who was gazing up at him with a mixture of exhaustion and fear in her eyes. "I'm sorry, Noah," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I don't know what's going on with me. I just feel so...off." Noah's heart went out to her, and he pulled her close. "You're going to be okay, Jacquie," he said, trying to reassure her. "I'll take care of you. Just rest, and let me handle everything." As Jacquie drifted off to sleep, Noah sat beside her, his mind racing with thoughts and questions. He couldn't shake off the feeling that Jacquie's illness was more than just a simple bug. The test results had revealed a shocking truth, and he knew that their lives were about to change in ways he couldn't even imagine. The room grew quiet, except for the sound of Jacquie's gentle snores. Noah sat there, lost in thought, as the minutes ticked by. He was determined to uncover the truth, but he also didn't want to rush Jacquie into revealing secrets she wasn't ready to share. As he sat there, he noticed a piece of paper on the nightstand. It was a small note, scribbled in Jacquie's handwriting. Noah's heart skipped a beat as he picked it up and read the words. "Meet me at the old oak at midnight. Come alone." The note was unsigned, but Noah knew instinctively that it was meant for him. A shiver ran down his spine as he wondered who could have written it and what they wanted. Noah's eyes drifted back to Jacquie, who was still fast asleep. He knew that he had to keep her safe, and that meant uncovering the truth. He carefully placed the note on the nightstand and made a mental note to investigate further. As the hours ticked by, Noah found himself growing more and more restless. He couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off, and that their lives were about to take a dramatic turn. He glanced at the clock, his heart racing with anticipation. Midnight couldn't come soon enough.