Chapter 1

I looked at my parents and my brother approaching in the distance.

Then I lowered my head and signed my name.

“I've made my decision. I'm in.”

The two officials exchanged a glance, clearly pleased by how decisive I was.

“There’s one more thing you need to know.”

One of them closed the file in his hands, his expression turning solemn.

“Because this research involves classified national security information, your current identity records will be sealed and your civilian identity will be officially deactivated.”

“When the program is complete, your identity and professional credentials will be restored. You’ll also receive the commendations you’ve earned.”

The other official added,

“If you need more time, we can give you some. You can use it to take care of any personal matters before you leave.”

I lowered my eyes.

“Thank you, but that won’t be necessary.”

“I’m an orphan. I don’t have anyone waiting for me.”

“Serving my country is the only thing I’ve ever wanted.”

The words left my mouth, and strangely, I felt completely at peace.

In my previous life, I had placed far too much weight on the word family.

So much that I endured ten years of rejection just to hear them acknowledge me.

Even when they pushed me away again and again, I kept telling myself—

They just need time to get used to me.

If I can be a little more understanding.

A little more considerate.

Someday, they'll truly see me as their daughter.

But not this time.

I wasn't going to wait anymore.

There was only one thing I wanted to do:

Finish the research my mentor had left unfinished.

I left the review room.

The officials had said it would take about two weeks to complete the transfer and seal my records, and they encouraged me to use that time to rest.

But the moment I reached the corner of the hallway,

I stopped.

Because three people were already waiting there.

Mr. Bennett.

Mrs. Bennett.

And Ethan Bennett.

My heart clenched.

Something was wrong.

Ethan looked at me for a long moment before speaking.

“We came here because we need to talk to you.”

Mrs. Bennett 's eyes were red as she stepped forward.

“Claire, we remember what happened in our last life.”

“This time, we won't let you down.”

Ethan continued,

“We know what happened in our last life, so there’s no point pretending we don’t understand what you want.”

I looked at him without speaking.

“The Bennett family can give you a house,” he said.

“We’ll set up a trust for you equal to Emily’s. If you want to continue your research, we’ll give you whatever support you need.”

Mrs. Bennett stepped closer.

“You can still call us Mom and Dad. You can come home for dinner, spend holidays with us, and be part of our lives.”

Her voice softened.

“We do want you, Claire.”

For one brief moment, something in my chest tightened.

Then Ethan continued.

“But publicly, the Bennett family will still have only one daughter.”

“Emily.”

The feeling disappeared.

Mrs. Bennett hurried to explain.

“Emily died after losing her place in this family last time. We can’t let that happen again.”

“You survived without us once,” Ethan said. “Emily didn’t survive the thought of losing us.”

He spoke as if that settled everything.

“You can’t take the Bennett name. You can’t attend public family events, and no one can know Emily was adopted.”

“But in private, nothing has to change,” my mother said. “You can still have us.”

I looked at the three of them.

“So you’ve already chosen her.”

Mrs. Bennett’s face tightened.

“That isn’t what we said.”

“It is,” I replied. “You’re offering me money and private visits while she gets my name, my parents, and my place in the family.”

Ethan frowned.

“We’re trying to protect both of you.”

“No. You’re protecting Emily and assuming I’ll accept whatever is left.”

His expression hardened.

“You spent your entire life looking for us. Even after everything that happened, you stayed with us for ten years.”

He lowered his voice, almost gently.

“We know you still want this family.”

There it was.

They remembered the ten years I had spent waiting for them to love me, and instead of regretting them, they had turned them into proof that I would never leave.

“We’re not asking you to give us up,” Mrs. Bennett said. “We’re only asking you to let Emily keep the life she already has.”

Ethan nodded.

“You’ll have a home, financial security, and parents who care about you. That’s already more than you had when you came to us last time.”

He genuinely believed they were offering me something generous.

I suddenly remembered how desperately I had tried to please them in my previous life.

Every time they ignored me, I stayed.

Every time they chose Emily, I told myself to be patient.

No wonder they were so certain I would accept their conditions now.

“You’re right,” I said. “I stayed for ten years.”

Relief flickered across Ethan’s face.

“That was my mistake.”

His expression changed.

Mrs. Bennett reached for me.

“Claire, don’t say that. We’re not rejecting you.”

“You’re asking me to be your daughter only when no one else is watching.”

“We’re asking you to understand,” Ethan said sharply. “Emily needs us more than you do.”

I looked at him.

“And because I survived without you, you think I can survive being abandoned again.”

“No one is abandoning you.”

“If that were true, you wouldn’t need to hide me.”

Silence fell between us.

That was their answer.

I lowered my eyes to the research files in my hands.

“I don’t need your house, your trust, or your private version of a family.”

My mother’s eyes filled with tears.

“Then what do you want?”

“In my last life, I wanted you to choose me.”

I shook my head.

“This time, I don’t want anything from you.”

Ethan’s mouth tightened.

“You’re angry. Once you’ve had time to think, you’ll understand why this is the only fair solution.”

Even now, he thought I was negotiating.

He thought refusing their offer was only another way of asking for more.

I didn’t explain.

In two weeks, my records would be sealed and I would disappear into a classified program for at least ten years.

By the time they understood that I had meant every word, I would already be gone.

I turned and walked away.

Behind me, I heard Ethan call my name.

“Claire!”

I didn't look back.