Chapter 1

Selena's POV

Upon hearing my response, the two vetting officers exchanged glances, seeming pleased with how decisive I was.

"There's one more thing we need to tell you beforehand," one of them said, closing the folder in his hands.

He continued solemnly, "Since the research involves classified national information, your current identity records will be erased for now. Your identity and honors will be reinstated once the research is over, along with the appropriate awards."

Then, the other vetting officer added, "If necessary, we can give you more time to get your personal affairs in order."

I lowered my gaze and said calmly, "Thank you, but there's no need for that. I've been an orphan all my life, with nobody to hold me back, so serving my country is my sole wish."

I walked out of the vetting room. They had informed me it would take about two weeks to transfer my records and erase my identity, suggesting I take the opportunity to get some proper rest.

I was heading back to my office when I ran into three people I didn't expect to see at the corner of the hallway—Mom, Dad, and Christian Gunn, my brother. I stopped in my tracks, my heart skipping a beat.

In my previous life, the Gunn family hadn't found me until a month later. I couldn't help but wonder how they had found me so early this time. I quickly lowered my head and pretended not to recognize them, stepping aside to let them pass.

"Selena Gunn!"

A familiar voice called out from behind me.

I froze where I stood, as that was the name I had used for ten years with the Gunn family in my previous life. I turned around and looked directly at Christian. Mom and Dad were standing right behind him, looking at me with complicated expressions.

Christian stepped forward, a strange gleam in his eyes. "You've been reborn too, haven't you, Selena?"

I remained silent, though my heart surged with turmoil. It turned out that they had all been reborn too.

I hadn't even figured out how to respond when Christian's tentative tone gave way to impatience. "It doesn't really matter. We're here today to let you know that you don't belong in the Gunn family, regardless of whether you came back."

He paused momentarily, as if he were worried that I wouldn't understand. "We'd rather have Freya with us than you."

Mom finally broke her silence, pleading with me. "You got to live Freya's life last time, so please just let her have this one, Selena. We'll compensate you however you like, as long as you agree to never come looking for us."

I felt a tight knot twisting in my chest. In my previous life, I hadn't joined the Northwest Initiative, choosing instead to search for the Gunn family—my birth family. I eventually tracked them down with help from the research institute.

On the day they brought me home, Mom held me tight and wept loudly, saying how sorry she was that I had suffered all those years and promising to make it up to me. Christian acted reserved, but he gave me whatever I asked for. Dad didn't speak much, but he always looked at me with genuine affection.

Yet, at this moment, as they stood in front of me, all I saw in their eyes was cold indifference.

I dug my nails into my palm, suppressing the bitter ache rising within me. "I have no idea what you're talking about," I said flatly. "I never planned to claim family ties with the Gunn family as well."

Christian eyed me suspiciously for a moment before his tone eased slightly. "It's for the best if you have no thoughts of claiming kinship with the Gunn family."

He paused briefly before adding, "I can offer you a sum of money—enough to set you up for life—so long as you drop any inappropriate thoughts of joining the family."

I looked at him and smiled faintly. "I don't need it. I'd also like you to know that I'm Selena Lister—not Selena Gunn."

Ignoring their bewildered looks, I quickly walked away. I didn't stop until I was well out of sight, leaning against a wall as my chest tightened so much I could hardly breathe.

I remembered the seawater flooding the cabin in my previous life and how they had struggled to push me onto the only available life ring.

Mom had gently stroked my cheek one last time and said, "We don't owe you anything anymore, Selena."

I'd watched as their figures were slowly submerged in the surging seawater.

I slowly unclenched my fists and exhaled deeply as I thought about how they had sacrificed their lives to cut their ties with me in my previous life.

So in this life, I decided not to cling to them.