ontent with just ruining my reputation; he wanted to physically and mentally shatter me. He sent a team of hired

em, screaming that this was my property, that they were trespassing. One of them ju

ysical blow. Each strike echoed the destruction of my past life, the ruin David had brought upon my family. They were

bing one of the men's ar

ping over the threshold as if entering a conquered territory. Emily was o

st the chaos. "This is what happens when you don'

e that burned away all fear. "You're destroying my

search! The core stabilization sequence that prevents data decay in your compressed files? I wrote that! I wr

second, the thugs pausing

Emily laughed, a high, tinkling

You tried to help, yes. But your code was a mess. It was unstable. It almost corrupted his entire pro

er heard. My code was flawless, elegan

ered, staring at David.

is right, Sarah. Your contribution was... well-intentioned. But it was ultimately a failure. You were t

physical impact. He wasn't just stealing my work; he was

my skill. He had been in awe of it. This man standing before me, who dismissed my genius with such casual cruelty... was he really David? The way

words coming out before I coul

nk the stress is finally getting to you." He waved a hand

there, watching my past being dismantled, and I made a decision. I couldn't stay here. I

a habit from my work, always being ready for a sudden departure. I had my passport, some cas

t past David and Emily,

ink you're going

ack. "You've won. You've destroyed everyt

the furthest city I could think of, and got on board. As the train pulled away, I watch

I th

my door. I froze. Two men in formal black suits stood outside. They weren't Davi

er?" one of

s ask

sage for you f

ank. David

impassive. "He finds it unacceptable. The Chen family does not a

se end," I sai

under the door. "Mr. Chen has made an arrangement. To ensure yo

envelope in disb

st be j

you... occupied. Your compliance is not optional. If you refuse, Mr. Chen will be forced to take more... p

de was a marriage certificate, already filled out with my name. The space for the groom's name was ther

he one my brother Liam had given me. There was no way to mist

? And why would my new, mysteriou

ld a single, encrypted file. A file I knew, instinctively, held a truth far more shocking than a f