Beyond Redemption

Aaron's POV

The scarlet admission letter lay on the dining table, its cover stamped in gold with the words Northbridge University.

Under the name field, the letters were brutally clear: Landon Hutchinson.

And I sat at the far edge of the table, my fingers clenched around a crumpled transcript.

That was my transcript.

Top GPA in my class. More than enough for direct admission to Northbridge's graduate program.

"Landon, have some beef."

My father broke the dead silence. He picked out the biggest slice of beef and, out of habit, placed it in my older brother Landon Hutchinson's bowl.

Then, as if he had suddenly remembered I existed, he picked up a few limp greens and dropped them into mine.

"Aaron, don't blame us.

"Your brother's system said that if he doesn't get into Northbridge this year, it'll erase his intelligence. His brain has never worked as well as yours. If he really becomes disabled, his whole life is over."

My mother sat at the head of the table, a newspaper in her hand.

"You've always been smart. You have a good memory. It's only one year's delay. Take the exam again next year. Your father and I will rent an apartment near the university and stay with you while you study. Consider it compensation."

Compensation?

I stared at that red admission letter, and my stomach suddenly twisted with a violent cramp.

It was physical rejection. Pure nausea.

My fingers began to tremble beyond my control.

"So you stole my guaranteed admission spot?"

"Stole?"

My mother lowered the newspaper and frowned, clearly displeased by my choice of words. "That was family resource allocation. We are one family. Why are you dividing everything into yours and mine? Your brother's life is on the line, and you're still fussing over an admission slot?"

Landon shrank back, his eyes reddening.

"Aaron, I'm sorry... I don't want this either... but that system is terrifying. Every night, I dream that I'm drooling and can't think anymore..."

As he spoke, he tugged at my sleeve.

"You're so capable. You can definitely get in next year too, right?"

The mechanical electronic voice in my head rang out, cold and emotionless.

[Host has suffered unfair treatment: dream deprivation.]

[Monitoring vital signs... arrhythmia detected. Cortisol spike detected.]

[Warning: once unfairness count reaches 3, the brain-death program will execute immediately. Current progress: 1/3.]

I yanked my sleeve free from Landon and stood up.

"I don't understand.

"Why do I have to yield just because he's weaker? Why do I have to sacrifice myself just because he bonded with some system?"

"Aaron!"

My mother slammed the table so hard that the dishes rattled. "In this family, it isn't your turn to make the decisions. The paperwork is done. The file has already been changed. The admission letter has your brother's name on it now, and that fact cannot be changed. What is the point of making a scene?"

I stared at her. "The file was sealed. Who changed it? Who even had the authority?"

From the entryway came the sudden beep of the keypad lock.

The door opened.

A woman in an elegant gray suit walked in.

She wore gold-rimmed glasses, refined and scholarly, and she carried an exquisite gift box.

It was Vivian Harkins, my fiancee.

She changed her shoes, walked straight to the dining table, swept a glance over the admission letter, and spoke in a calm voice.

"I changed it."

I stared at her in disbelief.

This was the woman who had once held my hand and said she would marry no one but me.

"Vivian... why?"