Katherine held Jax's face in her hands then her tears streamed freely down her cheeks.

"Jax," she whispered again as if saying his name could make him more real. "My boy. You're finally here."

Jax felt something wet seeping through her sweater against his cheek.

'Is that...?'

Katherine pulled back slightly laughing through tears. She noticed the wet spots on her sweater and his cheek.

"Oh god, I'm so sorry." She covered her chest with her arms, "The baby, the hormones. I've been leaking and I forgot to put on the pads before I came out. I just... when I heard you were coming, I got so emotional and I forgot everything and I'm sorry, this is so inappropriate..."

Jax's voice came out instinctively and quickly. "It's fine. Really. Are you okay?"

The concern in his tone surprised even him.

Katherine's eyes welled up again. She cupped his face with both hands, thumbs stroking his cheeks.

"I should be asking you that." Her voice trembled. "You haven't answered my messages in a month. I saw the tournament. That girl Emma, the way she looked at you. Jax, I've been so worried."

Her touch was tender. Maternal. Genuine.

"Are you eating enough? Sleeping? Is Paige..." Her expression darkened. "Is she treating you properly?"

Jax's chest tightened.

'When's the last time someone asked if I was okay and actually meant it?'

Not Paige. Their relationship was transactional at best, abusive at worst.

Not Kiera. She could barely look at him without scowling.

Not even Beatrix yet. Too new. Too complicated.

But Katherine? Her worry was real.

Jax's hand moved before he could think. It rested gently on her swollen belly.

"The baby's lucky," he said softly. "To have you."

Katherine's breath hitched. Fresh tears spilled over.

She pulled him into another hug, this time gentler. "Come inside. Please. We have so much to talk about."

[Inside the Presidential Mansion]

The interior was stunning but warm. Not cold and sterile like Paige's mansion. This place felt lived in. Loved.

Katherine led him to a sitting room with plush couches and soft lighting. She gestured for him to sit, then settled beside him, close enough that their knees touched.

"Tell me everything," she said, eyes locked on his. "How was this year? Did Paige... did she do anything to you?"

Jax hesitated. 'How much do I say?'

"She..." He chose his words carefully. "She wasn't warm. But I managed."

Katherine's jaw tightened. "Managed. That's not an answer, Jax. Did she hurt you? Treat you like you didn't matter?"

'Yes. Yes, she did to real Jax. In ways you can't imagine until I showed up and showed her, her place.'

But he couldn't say that. Not yet.

"I'm fine," Jax said instead. "Really. The academy's been... interesting."

Katherine's expression softened slightly. "I saw the screening test. You were incredible. The first boy to win in academy history."

She smiled, pride radiating from her. "I always knew you had it in you. That brilliant mind. That fire."

Her smile faltered. "But you've changed, haven't you?"

Jax's heart skipped. 'She knows.'

"I can see it," Katherine continued, voice tinged with sadness. "You're sharper. Colder. More... calculating. It's like you've built walls around yourself."

She looked down at her hands. "I'm happy you've grown stronger. Proud, even. But I also miss the boy who used to laugh at my terrible jokes and fall asleep on my lap while I read to him."

Jax's throat tightened.

'She loved the original Jax. And I'm wearing his face like a mask.'

He reached out, taking her hand. "People change, Aunt Katherine. But not everything has to."

Her eyes met his. Searching. Hoping.

"I'm still here," Jax added quietly. "That hasn't changed."

Katherine squeezed his hand, smiling through her tears. "Promise me you won't disappear again. No more silence. No more weeks without hearing from you."

"I promise."

They talked for hours.

Katherine asked about the academy. Jax deflected, mentioning classes and students but avoiding the darker details.

She asked about the film shoot. He mentioned Beatrix vaguely, saying only that she was "professional and kind."

She asked about his plans. He stayed silent.

'Revenge on Emma? Can't say that. Completing perverted system quests? Definitely can't say that.'

Katherine noticed his hesitation but didn't press. Instead, she shifted topics.

"I'm happy for your growth," she said gently. "Your dominance in games, your intelligence. I always knew you had that potential."

Then her tone turned sad. "But sometimes I wonder if you've had to grow up too fast. If I failed you by not being there."

"You didn't fail me," Jax said firmly. "You're the only one who didn't."

Katherine's eyes glistened. She leaned her head on his shoulder.

"I've missed you so much," she whispered.

'And she's the only person in this world who's cared about me without wanting something in return.'

-- -- --

Hours passed. The mansion grew quiet.

Jax glanced at the time on his Starlight Pro. 11:47 PM.

"Aunt Katherine, you should sleep. It's late. The baby needs rest."

Katherine looked up at him, eyes half-lidded with exhaustion. "Fine. But only if you sleep with me. While I cuddle you. Same as always."

Jax blinked. "I have academy tomorrow. I should go..."

Katherine's face fell. Her eyes, already emotional, turned desperate. Pleading.

She didn't say anything. She didn't have to.

Jax sighed. "I'll stay."

Her entire expression lit up.

[Inside Katherine's Bedroom]

The room was spacious but cozy. A massive bed dominated the center, covered in soft blankets.

Katherine changed into loose pajamas in the bathroom while Jax awkwardly removed his shoes and jacket.

When she emerged, her belly was even more prominent under the thin fabric. Her breasts, heavy and full, swayed slightly as she walked.

'Don't look. Don't fucking look.'

She climbed into bed, patting the space beside her. "Come here."

Jax obeyed, lying down stiffly.

Katherine immediately curled into him, wrapping an arm around his chest, resting her head on his shoulder.

"This," she murmured, voice drowsy. "This is what I've missed."

They talked quietly. She asked if he remembered the stories she used to tell him. The games they used to play.

Jax lied. Said he remembered.

She smiled, tracing lazy circles on his chest. "You were always my favorite person in the world. You still are."

Her breathing slowed. Deepened.

Within minutes, she was asleep.

Jax lay awake, staring at the ceiling.

Katherine had shifted in her sleep, turning to face away from him. No blankets covered them. The room was warm.

Her curves were visible through the thin pajamas. The swell of her hips. The roundness of her pregnant belly. The fullness of her breasts.

Jax's resolve cracked.

'No. No, this is wrong.'

But his body didn't care. His rod hardened, straining against his pants.

'She's pregnant. She's your aunt. She's the only person who actually loves you.'

His hand moved. Unzipped his pants. Freed his 9-inch length.

'Just once. She won't know.'

His hand hovered over his shaft.

'Stop. Don't do this.'

But his urges were winning. His fingers wrapped around himself.

Then Katherine turned back over.

Her eyes opened.

She saw.

Everything.

Jax froze.

Katherine's face cycled through confusion, realization, then anger.

Not the cold, cruel anger of Paige.

The disappointed, hurt anger of a mother catching her child doing something wrong.

"So it was all true," she said quietly, voice laced with pain. "You asking for bodies of women. You being horny. I thought you were forced. Controlled by someone. But I see now it's just boy hormones."

She sat up, reached over, and pulled his ear tightly.

"Ow! Aunt Katherine..."

"You need to be lectured for this," she scolded, her grip firm. "Your aunt never taught you these dirty things, did I?"

Her eyes scanned his face. Embarrassed. Guilty. Pleading for mercy.

Katherine's expression softened slightly.

'He's a boy. He's changing. It's obvious he'll do such things.'

'But I'm his aunt. That's not appropriate.'

'But think, Katherine. He chose you. He wasn't forcing it. He just wanted it from someone he loves. He was hesitant to ask for it.'

'And yet I turned his love into shame.'

She watched him hurriedly tuck himself away, face burning with guilt.

Katherine sighed. Released his ear.

"Fine," she said quietly.

Then she patted her lap.

"Come here."

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