Chapter 2

"Lily, you need to think this thoroughly. Once you join the Pioneer Program, you'll be sent to the Norwood Research Institute. You won't be allowed to share your location with anyone."

Charles Morgan, the elderly researcher with a full head of gray hair, paused as he spoke.

"All your phone calls will be monitored, and you probably won't be able to come home. Even if someone in your family dies, you still won't be allowed to leave."

Tears welled up in his eyes, and he quietly wiped them away.

Seeing him like this made me uneasy, so I poured him a cup of warm water.

"You know my parents were in the military," I said firmly. "If I can serve my country in my own way, I think they'd be proud of me."

Charles was moved by my words, but he still tried to talk me out of it.

"That's exactly why we don't want anything to happen to you. Your parents were heroes who gave their lives for this country.

"You need to understand that the Norwood Research Institute handles classified national security work. It's dangerous, and you're still young…"

He paused before continuing, "If you can't handle it and regret your decision later, there's no going back."

I knew exactly what they were thinking. In their eyes, I was still too young to walk this path and too young to endure something so demanding and dangerous. They believed there had to be a better, brighter future waiting for me, one that didn't involve hardship and sacrifice.

But looking at Charles' frail frame, something tugged at my heart. They had all dedicated themselves to their country, so why couldn't I do the same?

I cut him off, not out of rudeness, but because I'd already made up my mind.

"Dr. Morgan, I've considered all the concerns you've raised. I don't have parents, children, or even close friends. There's nothing keeping me from moving forward."

As I said that, I thought of Simon. My chest tightened with that familiar ache. Maybe it was because we were about to part ways, but all I could think about were the good memories.

Whenever I tried to forgive him, I always thought of his 32 mistresses. Tears welled up, and I fought to hold back the pain.

"I'm filing for divorce soon. My husband and I haven't had feelings for each other in a long time. Instead of staying here wallowing in self-pity, I'd rather put all my time into research."

Seeing how resolute I was, Charles sighed deeply and pulled out a classified document from his worn briefcase. When I signed the nondisclosure agreement, his eyes were filled with tears.

"Ms. Taylor, welcome to the Pioneer Program. This is your relocation package. The agency provides for those who serve."

I expected to leave with him immediately, but he gave me two months to say my farewells to the few people who still mattered to me.

As I watched Charles' frail figure disappear down the hallway, a bitter smile tugged at my lips. That was when it hit me that I'd been essentially alone in this city for years.

Throughout my seven-year marriage to Simon, my world had quietly narrowed to just him, while the rest of my relationships slowly withered away. Now, two months felt like an eternity.

"What are you doing?"

I heard a familiar voice behind me and turned to see Simon.

I was surprised to see him standing at the front door. I couldn't remember when it started, but he rarely came home anymore. It was always me desperately asking when he'd be home, and only then would he reluctantly return.

Looking at that handsome face, I felt like I was seeing a stranger. After a moment's hesitation, I decided not to tell him about leaving. In two months, I'd be gone anyway. After that, we'd be nothing more than strangers, so why bother explaining anything? He wouldn't care either way.

Simon grew impatient when I didn't answer him right away. I could hear the annoyance in his voice when he asked, "What did you say to Sophie today?"

I was slightly taken aback.

Then, he let out a low growl. "She's still young and doesn't know what she's doing. Stop being so hard on her!"

Hearing Simon's accusation, I smiled bitterly. In all our years of marriage, this was the first time he'd gotten angry at me over his mistress. There was no doubt in his voice that he was genuinely concerned about her.

I glanced at our wedding photo on the wall. We looked so happy back then, and the love in our eyes was unmistakable. Back then, the love was real. It just didn't survive the slow grind of everyday arguments.

When we were still in love, I used to worry about our future and ask whether there would be a seven-year itch between us.

Whenever I asked him this question, Simon would hold me tight and reply, "Nothing would happen. We grew up together, and we've already made it through plenty of seven-year marks."

I'd get lost in his warm embrace and forget that marriage and dating were different things.

"Lily!"

Simon's furious voice jolted me back to reality. Looking at his dark expression, I smiled faintly.

"I didn't say anything to her. It was your girlfriend who came to our house to show off how in love you two are. She mocked me for being a dead weight that drags you down, and compared me to a maid. She also told me that I'm the third-party—"

Before I could finish, Simon frowned and looked at me coldly.

"Enough. Sophie's just being childish. She didn't mean anything by it. You're overreacting again. Stop picking fights with her and try being a little more mature."

Seeing how dismissive he was, I suddenly felt this wave of injustice I couldn't swallow.

Just then, his phone rang. The moment he saw the caller ID, Simon's expression instantly softened.

He answered the call, and hearing the sweet voice on the other end, his smile became even warmer.

Watching his retreating figure, I collapsed weakly onto the floor.

On the coffee table, the document envelope had "Non-Disclosure Agreement" stamped in bold black at the top, but Simon hadn't even bothered to ask me about it. He wasn't like this before.