Chapter 2

2

"Lyra, you need to think this through very carefully."

"Once you join Project Genesis, you'll be relocated to the high-security research facility in the Nevada desert. You won't be allowed to disclose your location to anyone."

"Your communications will be strictly monitored. You might not even be able to come home if a family member passes away."

The elderly lead researcher in front of me had tears in his eyes as he spoke. He wiped them away quickly.

Seeing him like this made my heart heavy.

I poured him a glass of warm water.

"You know my parents were veterans," I said firmly. "Giving my skills to this country... I know they would be proud of me."

The researcher looked moved, but he still tried to persuade me. "Because you are a Gold Star family member, we want you to be safe."

"The desert facility involves national secrets. It's dangerous."

"You're still so young..."

"If you can't handle the isolation, there's no turning back."

I knew what they were thinking. In their eyes, I was too young for this kind of sacrifice.

They thought I should have a brighter, easier life. They feared I couldn't handle the hardship.

But looking at the old professor's thin, weary frame, I felt a pang of sadness.

If they could give their lives to the country, why couldn't I?

I interrupted him gently but firmly. "Professor, I've considered everything you mentioned."

"I have no parents, no children, and no friends. I have nothing left to lose."

As I said that, Silas's face flashed in my mind.

My chest tightened with pain.

Perhaps because I was about to leave forever, my mind was flooded with our old, beautiful memories.

But every time I felt like forgiving him, I remembered those thirty-two mistresses.

My eyes stung. I forced back the bitterness. "I'm also getting a divorce. The love died a long time ago."

"I'd rather pour my soul into science than stay here and rot in self-pity."

Seeing my resolve, the professor sighed. He pulled a classified file from his worn briefcase.

His eyes were wet as he watched me sign my name on the non-disclosure agreement.

"Welcome to Project Genesis, Lyra."

"Here is your relocation stipend. The government takes care of its own."

I wanted to leave with the professor right then, but he gave me two months.

He told me to say my goodbyes properly.

I watched him walk away with a bitter smile.

I realized I had always been alone in this city.

During my seven years of marriage, I revolved entirely around Silas. I had let my friends drift away.

Two months was too much time.

"What are you doing?"

A familiar voice startled me.

It was Silas.

I was surprised to see him at the front door.

I couldn't remember when it started, but he rarely came home anymore.

I used to have to beg him to come back, and he would only show up as a favor to me.

Looking at his handsome face, I felt a strange sense of detachment.

I decided not to tell him about my departure.

I was leaving in two months anyway. We would be strangers soon. There was no need to explain myself.

Besides, it wasn't like he cared.

Silas didn't get an answer, and his voice turned sharp. "What did you say to Summer today?"

I froze.

Then, Silas's low roar followed. "Summer is just a kid! She's innocent!"

"Can't you stop being so hard on her?"

Hearing his accusations, I let out a weak laugh.

In all our years of marriage, this was the first time he had truly lost his temper over a mistress.

The protective tone in his voice was undeniable.

I glanced at the wedding photo on the wall.

The two people in the photo were smiling happily. Their eyes were full of love for one another.

Back then, we really did love each other.

But our relationship had been eroded by years of neglect and betrayal.

When we were first in love, I used to ask him if we'd succumb to the seven-year itch.

Every time, Silas would pull me close and say, "Never. we grew up together. We've already survived several seven-year cycles."

I got lost in his warm embrace.

I forgot that marriage is nothing like a childhood romance.

"Lyra!"

Silas's voice exploded in my ear like thunder.

I snapped back to the present.

Looking at his furious face, I just smiled.

"I didn't say anything. It was your little girlfriend who came here."

"She came to brag about how much you love her. She called me a burden and said I was worse than a maid."

"She told me that the one who isn't loved is the real intruder..."

Before I could finish, Silas interrupted me with a frown.

His gaze was icy. "That's enough. Summer just has a bit of a temper."

"She doesn't have a mean bone in her body. You're just being sensitive."

"Stop looking for trouble with her. Grow up for once."

Looking at his impatient expression, a wave of grievance washed over me.

But then his phone rang. The moment he saw the caller ID, his features softened instantly.

He answered the call. Hearing the high-pitched, sweet voice on the other end, his smile became incredibly tender.

As I watched him walk away, I collapsed onto the floor, trembling.

On the coffee table, the words "Confidential Agreement" were printed in bold black ink.

Silas hadn't even bothered to ask what it was.

He wasn't always like this...