Sasha thanked Jack politely but held him at a careful distance. Every kindness he offered met the invisible barrier of being spiritually outside the congregation.

Jack stayed only a few minutes.

When he left, the room felt emptier than before. Nathan sensed it too. A chance to honor genuine family love without compromising faith had been missed.

Spiritual loyalty did not require coldness.

In this moment, warmth would have reflected Jehovah better.