Chapter 3

3.

I went home, packed my bags, and prepared to move into the agency dorms.

To pave the way for Lorelei, Derek had already revoked my training access.

He was bound to have worse moves lined up.

I left a signed divorce petition on the counter before heading toward the door.

Suddenly, the front door was kicked wide open, and my brother Lucas stormed inside, seething with rage.

“Jocelyn, go apologize to Lorelei right now!”

“What did I do wrong?” I asked, furious and heartbroken.

Lucas roared at me, “You humiliated her in front of the entire squad! You told everyone she didn’t deserve to be in the advanced group, and you still think you did nothing wrong?!”

“How did our family raise such an ungrateful, heartless monster?”

“Lorelei’s husband died saving my life and Derek’s! You owe it to him to make amends!”

Lorelei’s late husband, Warren Thorne, was Lucas and Derek’s comrade in arms.

During a critical mission, he died providing cover for their escape.

Because of that, Lucas and Derek lived under a permanent cloud of guilt toward Lorelei.

I refused to accept that burden.

“He saved your lives! Why the hell should my future be the price to pay for your debt?!”

Lucas stared at me in shock.

Derek walked through the door behind him, his eyes heavy with identical disappointment.

“Jocelyn, I never imagined you could be this heartless,” Derek frowned deeply.

“If Warren hadn’t saved us, do you think you’d be living a comfortable life, spoiled by your brother and husband?”

“Everything you have right now is built on Lorelei’s pain! She’s suffered so much because of us, yet you don’t feel an ounce of remorse!”

Lucas stepped forward and grabbed my luggage.

“Hand over your training dossiers. Lorelei needs them.”

I clutched my bag against my chest, refusing to let go.

Tears streamed down my face despite my rage.

“No! This is mine!”

Derek lunged forward and grabbed the bag as well.

He pried my fingers off one by one, using so much force that my joints popped.

“You’re talented, Jocelyn. You’ll have plenty of chances to fly in the future.”

“Lorelei is older than you. This is her only shot.”

“Give it to her, and I promise I’ll spend the rest of my life making it up to you, okay?”

I glared at him with pure defiance. “Over my dead body!”

Derek shoved with sudden violence, ripping the bag from my grip and sending me flying across the floor.

The back of my head smashed against the sharp corner of the coffee table.

The metallic stench of blood instantly filled the air.

My hands trembled as I reached behind my head. They came away slick and crimson.

“Astronauts can’t have any major scars!”

“Derek! Lucas! Take me to the hospital!”

Panic washed over Derek’s face, and he rushed over to help me up.

“Jocelyn... I’m sorry, it’s all my fault...”

“I’ll take you to the ER right now!”

Just then, Lorelei’s scream echoed from the hallway outside.

“Derek! I stepped on broken glass! I think my foot is bleeding!”

Derek let go of me instantly and bolted out the door.

Lucas, who had been stepping toward me, whipped around and followed right behind him.

I listened to their footsteps fade down the corridor.

Gritting my teeth against the throbbing agony, I dragged myself to my feet and staggered toward the clinic alone.

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