جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 10

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,

For a while,the backlash was everywhere.Almost everyone was condemning the Bennett family.They knew their biological daughter had been out there all these years,yet instead of looking for her,they had simply carried on with their lives as if nothing had happened.Ethan Bennett stormed into my office and threw a newspaper onto my desk.“Was this your plan all along?”I looked down at the headline announcing that I was the Bennett family’s biological daughter.“What are you talking about?”“First, you rejected the house and the trust. Then you walked away as if you wanted nothing from us.”His voice was tight with anger.“And now, suddenly, every newspaper knows who you are.”I looked up at him.“You think I leaked it.”“Who else would benefit from it?”He stepped closer.“You knew public pressure would force us to acknowledge you. You knew people would accuse Mom and Dad of abandoning their biological daughter.”His expression filled with disgust.“You made us believe you were walk

Ethan POV It took our family the entire afternoon to calm Emily down.After she cried herself out and finally went upstairs to rest, mom sank onto the couch and rubbed her temples.“She really was wronged today.”“Considering what happened to Emily in our previous life, it's understandable that we're being protective.”Dad nodded.“And we did promise Claire that Emily would move out eventually.”“She is our daughter too. She wouldn't really walk away from us.”Mom finally relaxed.“Good.”But I remained silent.I kept thinking about Claire's cold expression these past few days.And the way she had walked out of the house in the afternoon without looking back.A growing unease settled in my chest.What if she really didn't want to come back?I suddenly stood up and grabbed my jacket.“I’m going to the institute.”The car sped through the night.Streetlights flashed past one after another.But as I rounded the final corner,a deafening explosion suddenly shook the night.A moment later,

I watched my family repeat everything they had done to Claire in her previous life.Only this time,they were even more ruthless.They didn't just treat Emily like she was invisible.They allowed the staff to mistreat her, too.Her clothes were “accidentally” thrown into the trash.Breakfast was constantly forgotten.Her room was cleaned only once every three days.When she confronted the housekeepers, they looked at her with open contempt.“You're just an impostor who stole someone else's place.”“What makes you think you deserve to complain?”“You killed the real daughter, and you still have the nerve to stay here?”One day, one of Dad's longtime business associates came over.After a few drinks, he sighed.“I heard your biological daughter who was lost for all those years was an incredible young researcher.”“MIT graduate, so many awards.”“Such a pity.”Dad's hand froze around his glass.He said nothing.But the regret in his eyes was almost unbearable to look at.After the guest l

I never imagined they could actually find me here.Everyone stationed at the Alaska Base had to sign strict confidentiality agreements before arriving. Their identities were erased from public records, and as far as the outside world was concerned, they were officially dead.Even the Bennett family shouldn't have been able to track me down in the middle of this desert.Yet now, they were standing outside the base's reception room.Mrs. Bennett had lost a tremendous amount of weight.Her hair had turned noticeably grayer, and dark circles shadowed her eyes.Mr. Bennett stood beside her, looking exhausted and years older.My brother, Ethan Bennett, stood at the front.The moment his eyes landed on me, his whole body trembled.“Claire.”Mrs. Bennett 's tears immediately spilled over.“Claire, sweetheart. Mom came to find you. I know I was wrong.”She took two steps toward me, reaching for my hand.I stepped back.Her sob caught in her throat, and she froze.Mr. Bennett opened his mouth, h