Chapter 2

Selena's POV

I returned to the office and stared at the open documents on my desk, unable to focus on a single word as memories from my previous life rushed back like a tide.

In my previous life, after I located the Gunn family and reconnected with them, I happily went home with Mom, Dad, and Christian. I thought I'd finally found a family and a place where I could feel safe, but the moment I opened the door, I found that another person was already living there.

Freya Gunn was a few months younger than me. Adopted by the family as a child, she had been spoiled and cherished her whole life. She was openly hostile to me from day one, constantly competing with me over every little thing.

I gave in to her most of the time. But on that day, Mom had given me a necklace—the first present she ever gave me.

Freya immediately tried to take the necklace, and everyone in the Gunn family waited for me to give in, just as I always had.

I, however, just stood there and said nothing.

There was a prolonged silence in the living room before Mom finally sighed and reprimanded Freya. "That necklace belongs to Selena, Freya. Give it back to her."

I got my necklace back, but before I could even enjoy the moment, terrible news arrived. Freya had stormed out of the house in a rage, suffered a car accident on the way, and passed away at the scene.

From that day on, everyone in the Gunn family changed their attitude toward me overnight.

They no longer smiled at me or showed me any concern. They barely spoke to me at all. They continued to provide for me as before, but beyond that, the whole family gave me nothing but a cold shoulder, day after day.

I cried and pleaded with them not to act this way or shut me out, but Mom only asked coldly, "Why couldn't you just let Freya have it back then?"

Christian looked at me as if I were a stranger. "Why did you have to push Freya to her death as soon as you returned, Selena?"

I lived in that house for ten years, remaining an invisible presence the entire time.

I raised my hand and wiped away my tears. I had already decided not to return to the Gunn family, which meant Freya wouldn't meet an early end, and I wouldn't have to walk on eggshells like an outsider anymore.

Just then, the office door swung open. I looked up and saw my mentor, Timothy Leigh, standing in the doorway. My breath hitched, and I muttered, "P-Professor Leigh…"

It had been so long since I had seen him—in this life and the previous life combined.

Professor Leigh stood in the doorway, his hair grayer than I remembered. His eyes, however, were as gentle as ever, filled with that familiar warmth. He was a renowned physics expert, the director of the research institute, and the mentor who had first guided me into research.

In my previous life, I grew up in an orphanage. Professor Leigh was my benefactor, funding my schooling all the way until I landed a job at the research institute. I, however, still ended up choosing the Gunn family over everything else.

Professor Leigh didn't stop me. He merely patted my head and said, "You should go as long as it makes you happy, Selena."

He later signed up for the Northwest Initiative and stayed there for the rest of his life.

It was only years later that I eventually found out he had fallen ill from his laboratory work. Strict security protocols had kept anyone from knowing about it before his death.

I had missed the final moments of his life, but now he was standing right in front of me, smiling with that same gentleness. I couldn't bring myself to say a word. I stood up, threw my arms around him, and wept uncontrollably.

Taken aback, Professor Leigh patted my back gently. "W-What's the matter, Selena?"

I bit my lip slightly, shaking my head frantically while refusing to let go.

Professor Leigh gently pushed me back after a moment, speaking in a gentle but serious tone. "I heard you signed up for the Northwest Initiative. Have you really thought this through?

"Haven't you always wanted to find your birth parents? You still have time to change your mind if you want to. You shouldn't make an impulsive decision that you'll regret later, Selena."

I looked at him, my chest aching so much that I could barely breathe. He had always been like this, always putting me first. He was handling so many projects himself even when the Northwest Initiative was short on people. He had never once pressured me to do anything.

I shook my head and said, "I've made up my mind. They didn't bother to find me all these years, so I have no desire to look for them either. I just want to stay by your side, work on our research, and serve my country, Professor Leigh."

Professor Leigh looked at me for a moment before smiling. "I'll take you along with me then, Selena."

In the days that followed, I waited peacefully for my departure to the Northwest Base when, out of nowhere, things took an unexpected twist. Word got out that I was the birth daughter of the Gunn family.