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Chapter 9

Author: Waverly June
The voice rang with authority and rage.

Everyone turned as the doors opened again.

An older man in a dark green military uniform strode in, flanked by senior officers. Stars gleamed on his shoulders.

His face was grim, his gaze sharp. He walked like he had an army behind him.

My superior, Chief Engineer Henry Morgan.

"Henry..." My voice caught.

Henry walked straight toward the stage.

The guards saw his rank, snapped to attention, saluted, and stepped aside.

He passed Evan and Laura witho
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  • My Cousin's Playing House   Chapter 11

    Just exhaustion.With Lily asleep in my arms, I carried her out the front door.***Three months later, the court delivered its verdict.Both were convicted of multiple serious crimes involving national security.Evan was sentenced to immediate execution.Laura got life in prison and permanently lost her right to vote.I visited her one last time.She'd aged ten years in three months, her hair streaked with gray, her eyes empty.Through the glass, her lips moved as if she wanted to speak. Then she covered her face and sobbed.Manipulation and fear had left Lily with mild emotional problems. She barely spoke.The doctor said healing would take time, love, and steady support.I sold the mansion and its ugly memories.Half the money went to the Defense Radiation Relief Foundation. The rest went toward Lily's education.I took Lily to my house in my hometown.The air was fresh, the neighbors kind. No schemes. No one showing off or trying to outdo anyone.I filled the little

  • My Cousin's Playing House   Chapter 10

    Henry's voice shook, but his words hit harder."Some say you should save yourself first. A true soldier doesn't stop to weigh the options. They step up!"He pointed at me."He went in. Saved the data. His teammates survived. But his face... was burned like this."And someone just mocked those scars. Called him useless for failing to protect himself."Let me tell you!" His voice boomed. "Those scars are medals! Proof of what he sacrificed to keep us safe!"This is what a real hero looks like."Through my tears, I looked at Lily.She watched me wide-eyed, no longer afraid.I smiled, without bitterness this time.Henry lowered the microphone and gave me and the crowd another sharp salute.Applause shook the hall.People stood, tears streaming, clapping as hard as they could.The ceremony couldn't go on.I carried the model offstage, escorted by Henry and the guards.I walked through the crowd and crouched before Lily.My daughter. I hadn't been there for her in five years.

  • My Cousin's Playing House   Chapter 9

    The voice rang with authority and rage.Everyone turned as the doors opened again.An older man in a dark green military uniform strode in, flanked by senior officers. Stars gleamed on his shoulders.His face was grim, his gaze sharp. He walked like he had an army behind him.My superior, Chief Engineer Henry Morgan."Henry..." My voice caught.Henry walked straight toward the stage.The guards saw his rank, snapped to attention, saluted, and stepped aside.He passed Evan and Laura without a glance and stopped before me.His eyes filled with tears at my scars and the cracked model in my hands.Without a word, he raised his right hand in a slow, solemn salute.Everyone behind him snapped to attention and saluted.For a moment, the world fell silent.Cameras broadcast it across Carmoria.A scarred man holding a broken model.Military officers, stars gleaming, honoring him.Every lie fell apart.Henry lowered his hand and turned to Evan and Laura, both collapsed on the fl

  • My Cousin's Playing House   Chapter 8

    A disfigured "lunatic" against a polished "hero" whose wife backed him up.The crowd seemed to side with Evan instantly.Guards approached the stage, looking hostile.The livestream chat blew up.[OMG, is this family drama or a spy movie?][Her tears look real. Is the other guy a fraud?][But... what about the model?]Hope lit Evan's eyes as the crowd took his side.He stepped forward and reached for the model. "Give me back my property!"I stared coldly at his outstretched hand.Just before he touched the model, I stepped back and smiled.With my twisted face, it must've looked unsettling."Evan Cooper." I met his eyes. "Done with your little act?"His eyes widened.Laura stopped crying. "Wh-what are you talking about? My husband is Calvin Cooper...""Is he?" I glanced around the hall, then back at Evan. "If you're Calvin Cooper, Tempest's chief designer, what did I make this model from?"Evan froze. "I... o-of course I know... but that's classified..."I raised the m

  • My Cousin's Playing House   Chapter 7

    I wore plain gray clothes, faded but clean.My steps were slow and steady. The tension grew with every step.Gasps rippled through the hall as I stepped into the light.Brown spots covered my disfigured face. My left cheek was slightly twisted, making me look frightening.I cradled a metal model rocket.Cracks still marked its shell, but it had been carefully repaired and polished to a shine.From my cell, I'd asked Officer Miller to contact my agency. My teammates had spent the night finding the pieces in the trash outside the mansion and putting them back together.It wasn't perfect. It still had scars.But it was irreplaceable.I ignored the stares, Evan, and the host.I only had eyes for Lily.She squirmed in her seat, watching me.The fear in her eyes was gone. Now she looked curious and confused.I walked down the long aisle toward the stage.No one stopped me. Stunned, they stepped aside.I climbed the steps and stood firm in front of Evan.I held the rocket high

  • My Cousin's Playing House   Chapter 6

    Third-Person POVAll of Carmoria was watching the National Science and Technology Awards.Evan sat front and center in an expensive custom suit, his hair flawless.He soaked up the admiring looks and cameras tracking his every move. It all went to his head.Laura and Lily sat beside him.In a lavish gown and flawless makeup, Laura looked every bit the wealthy socialite.Lily looked uneasy, confusion in her eyes despite her pretty dress.When the host announced, "Professor Calvin Cooper, chief designer of the Tempest missile series," Evan stood and straightened his tie.He took the stage with the humble smile he'd rehearsed countless times.Applause thundered through the hall."Welcome, Professor Cooper." The host shook his hand. "You spent five years working in secret for Carmoria's defense. Thank you for your service.""It's an honor to serve my country." Evan's voice rang out, strong and rich.He launched into his speech: grand promises, empty praise, and hollow talk of p

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