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Chapter 6
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The Four Who Thought I'd Never Leave Chapter 9
In the fifth year, the project entered its final stage.I was twenty-three.From the youngest intern, I'd become the lead of the core module.Before the results were released, the base allowed us one external communication.When I turned on my phone, messages flooded in like an avalanche.Claude had sent over two thousand.[Vivian, I miss you.][Vivian, I'm not asking for forgiveness. I just want to know you're safe.]Jack sent a photo every time he won an award.Ethan uploaded the recovered videos, one by one.Hunter re-edited a coming-of-age documentary, trying to recover our eighteen years of shared memories.I read all of it.But I didn't reply. I cleared it with one tap.They were still lost in the past. But my future would no longer have them in it.The results conference was in Boston. The base sent a car to bring us back.Five years later, I returned to Boston.Billboards along the way were playing the project preview. My name was listed first in the core team.On the day of th
The Four Who Thought I'd Never Leave Chapter 8
Life at the Swiss base was busier than I'd imagined.My first week, I followed my advisor onto the Alpine test site.Twenty below during the day. Nearly forty below at night.The wind was full of ice crystals.A senior colleague handed me a windproof mask."Regret it?"I shook my head. "No.""Miss home?"I thought about it."I miss my parents.""Anyone else?"I smiled."No one else."She didn't ask again.By the third month, the model I was responsible for ran successfully for the first time.The whole team applauded at three in the morning.My advisor dug a half-can of frozen solid cola out of a snowbank."Limited supplies. Here's some adult champagne."I took a sip.The carbonation was long gone.It still tasted better than any champagne I'd ever had.Six months later, my parents contacted me through the base's dedicated line.My mother's eyes were red from crying."You've lost weight.""Are you eating well?""Pretty well."My father asked from beside her:"Is anyone giving you a har
The Four Who Thought I'd Never Leave Chapter 7
The next day, the news spread through St. Mary's High.The principal announced it personally at the graduation ceremony.Vivian Moretti had achieved the top score in the nation.Not only had she entered Stanford, but she had also received an invitation to an overseas research project and gone to Switzerland.Everyone was stunned. They looked toward Claude.They knew my relationship with Claude too well. They knew I wouldn't leave easily.But now, I had chosen Switzerland.The girls who'd cornered me that day grew uneasy.One of them went to explain to Claude."We were just joking around that day. Who knew she'd actually leave?"Claude looked at her."Joking? You knocked over a bucket, broke her camera. That's a joke?""You bullied my fiancée. There will be consequences."He wanted to defend me, the way he used to.The girl's face paled. She tried to explain."We really didn't mean it..."Claude turned to leave. But the girl wouldn't let it go."We thought she was bullying Chloe, so we
The Four Who Thought I'd Never Leave Chapter 6
Claude tracked down Stanford's liaison office.The staff member asked one question."What is your relationship to Ms. Vivian?"He answered without hesitation. "Her fiancé."The staff member pulled up the file."Ms. Vivian's emergency contact list does not include you."Claude's face stiffened. "She's just upset with me. Please, just tell me where she went.""I'm sorry. I'm not authorized to disclose that."Jack slammed the table. "We grew up together!"The staff member looked up."Then you should know she's already joined the research project. Under the rules, she will no longer contact the outside world."All four went silent.Ethan forced himself to stay calm. "We just want to pass along some items to her. Is that not allowed either?""No.""Then when can we contact her?""After the five-year closed period ends, subject to the project's circumstances."Claude stood there for a long time."When she joined the project, why didn't she ask us?"The staff member frowned."Ms. Vivian is an
The Four Who Thought I'd Never Leave Chapter 5
At the exact moment I left, Chloe's celebration was already starting.Claude glanced at his phone.When I still hadn't replied to his messages, he sent another one to hurry me along.[Where are you?]But the message failed to send. The account had been deactivated.He blinked at the system notification, then tried again.Same notification.Jack leaned over to look. "She deactivated her account?"Hunter snorted. "So childish. Just wait. She'll re-register and add us back..."The doorbell rang before he could finish.Ethan's tone was certain. "See? That must be Vivian."Claude was on his feet instantly.But when he opened the door, it was only a delivery courier."Is this Mr. Vance? This is an express package from Ms. Vivian."Hunter opened the box. Inside was the hard drive he had given me, and a letter.He plugged the drive into the computer.The folder was empty.No memory capsule we'd buried together. No trip to Nantucket to see the ocean. Eighteen years of content, wiped clean.He t
The Four Who Thought I'd Never Leave Chapter 4
At dawn, a black sedan parked outside the estate.My parents were still in Europe handling family business and could only see me off via video.My mother's eyes were red. "Are you sure you don't need us to come back?""No. I can take care of myself."My father was fighting back tears."If anyone dares to make you suffer, tell me. A Moretti can be by your side within twenty-four hours."My nose stung.At least there were still people who didn't want me to go.As for Claude and the others.Last night they were still at Chloe's apartment, setting up the "Boston Five" celebration.The group chat had been active all night.Jack sent a photo of a wall of balloons.[Vivian, there's a lot to do here. Come help set up.]Ethan replied below: [She's still throwing a tantrum. Don't spoil her.]Hunter posted a photo of a five-person cake.[She'll settle down after a couple of days in California. Then we'll let her watch the livestream.]I didn't reply.The butler, Sebastian, loaded my luggage into
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