Chapter 2

2.

The sudden voice broke my train of thought.

I looked up to see Arthur Sterling, Silas's close friend and my former college professor.

My throat felt tight, and my voice was barely a whisper.

"I can't stay."

"Why? I remember your performance was always top-tier..."

Arthur started to say, but he saw the bitterness on my face and stopped himself.

He quickly changed the subject.

"Then how about joining my team?"

"The conditions are rough, but I think it's perfect for you."

He handed me a thick file.

I glanced at the cover. It was a missile research project called "Project Reef Breaker," located deep in the mountains of the Northwest.

"I know you've studied ballistics. If you hadn't insisted on joining Silas's unit, you'd already be a lead on this project."

"The project hit a wall, and they've asked me to bring in fresh talent. You were the first person I thought of."

"The only thing is, it's far from D.C., and it's top-secret. You'd have to erase your legal identity."

"You don't have to answer now. Take a few days to think about it."

Erase my identity...

My eyes lingered on the file as Silas's face flashed through my mind.

Ten days ago, when Seraphina moved in, I accidentally overheard her complaining to Silas.

"Silas, I know it's not Avery's fault, but seeing her face makes me think of the man who killed my parents."

"I've been having nightmares. The doctor says the stress is making my heart condition worse."

"After we get married, can we move out?"

I had stood frozen outside the door, holding a glass of milk the family had told me to give my new sister-in-law.

I wanted to turn and run, but Silas's voice stopped me cold.

"We don't need to move. I'll just have her leave."

"But is that okay? She's lived here for so long. I'd feel bad kicking her out..."

Seraphina's voice sounded fake and sweet, but Silas just pulled her into a hug.

"You're my fiancée and the future lady of this house. Of course it's okay."

"Besides, she owes you this."

No words could have hurt more than those coming from Silas.

After my father died, everyone called me the devil's child.

They stripped me and chased me into the street.

In that frozen wasteland, I thought I deserved it for being a murderer's daughter.

It was Silas who reached out and told me otherwise.

"He is him, and you are you," he had said.

For twenty years, he was my guardian, shielding me from the world's cruelty.

I thought that even if the whole world hated me, I'd always have Silas.

I never imagined that in his heart, I was still just the daughter of a criminal.

My head spun, and I lost my balance, tumbling down the stairs.

The crash caught the attention of the people in the room.

They rushed out, and Silas ran down the stairs to help me.

Seeing the concern in his eyes, I had a fleeting hope that I had misheard him earlier.

But then Seraphina swayed and clutched her head.

"Silas, my head is spinning..."

Silas stopped mid-step and immediately turned to scoop Seraphina into his arms.

He moved like the wind, stepping right past me without even a glance.

I didn't want to bother them, but my knee was throbbing so much I couldn't stand.

"Silas, could you..." I whispered.

He cut me off with a harsh tone.

"Avery, grow up. Seraphina is sick. If she has an episode, it's a life-or-death situation."

"You just had a fall. Get up and put some ice on it yourself. Stop being so dramatic."

With that, he hurried out, leaving me with no chance to speak.

I touched the back of my head and felt wet blood, but before I could try to stand, the world went black.

Back in the present, I looked at the consent form and signed my name without hesitation.

"I don't need time to think. I'm in."

"When do we leave? I need to pack my bags."