The morning sun was hitting the glass of the Novax lobby, making everything look shiny and expensive, but inside, the vibe was pure trash. Jonah stood by the elevators, his hands stuffed into his pockets to hide how hard he was clenching his fists. It was a brand new day, but it didn't feel like a fresh start. It felt like the beginning of a long, slow nightmare. Firman was currently strutting across the lobby like he had personally paid for the marble floors. He was stopping to inspect the art on the walls, whispering to his own assistants, and giving the Novax security guards these little condescending nods that made Jonah’s blood boil. He was settling into Novax like he owned the place, and it was getting on Jonah’s nerves in a way he couldn't even describe. It was like watching a thief walk into your house and start complaining about the color of your curtains."Nice place Kaelen’s got here," Firman said, loud enough for the nearby staff to hear. "A bit flashy for my taste, but I

Eventually, when she dropped the phone onto the bedspread, the excitement had faded from her face, replaced by a look so serious it seemed to age her ten years. Mirella sat there in the silence of the room that no longer felt like hers, staring at the closed door. Her heart was still thumping, not from fear this time, but from the sheer weight of the responsibility Aurora had just placed on her small shoulders."A secret agent," she whispered to the empty room, her voice barely a breath. "I have a huge mission."She repeated the words like a mantra. Remembering Aurora’s specific instructions, she made a conscious effort to move. It was a struggle; her muscles felt like they were made of heavy clay, and every movement required a burst of willpower. She gripped the edge of the mattress, gritting her teeth as she slid back into the seat of her wheelchair. The metal felt cold against her legs, but she didn't care. She had work to do.She wheeled hers

DarrenThe tail lights of Firman’s car faded into the distance, leaving the alleyway in a heavy, suffocating silence. Darren didn't move. He stood there clutching the manila envelope so hard his knuckles were turning white. He could still smell the cheap cigarette smoke Firman always left behind, a scent that seemed to cling to the very air like a bad omen."Do you actually believe a word written in those papers?"The voice came from the darkness behind a stack of rusted shipping containers. Darren didn't flinch, though his heart did a nervous little skip in his chest. He knew that voice. It was cold, mechanical, and stripped of any human warmth."I am not sure yet," Darren admitted, his voice sounding thinner than he wanted it to. "But look at this. The location data, the travel logs... it is all too specific to be a complete lie. It looks suspicious as hell."The figure stepped forward, though he stayed just far enough in the shadows that his face remained a blurred smudge of darkne

MirellaMirella sat in her wheelchair by the window of the guest room, staring out at the garden. It had been three days since she arrived at Riley’s house, and honestly, she deserved an award for her acting. To everyone else, she was just the poor, sick little girl who spent most of her time napping or staring blankly at the wall. She kept her voice low, her movements slow, and her eyes watery whenever Riley or the maids came in to check on her."Are you feeling okay, sweetie?" Riley had asked her earlier that morning, pressing a hand to her forehead. "You look a bit pale today.""I am just tired, Mommy," Mirella had whispered, giving her the most pathetic, fragile look she could muster. "My legs hurt a little bit more today.""Oh, you poor thing. Just stay in bed and rest. I’ll have the cook bring up some soup later," Riley said, her voice full of that fake sympathy that Mirella had learned to spot from a mile away.As soon as the door clicked shut and the footsteps faded down the h

KaelenKaelen slammed his palm onto the mahogany desk, the sound echoing sharply through the small, air-conditioned office. He didn't care about being polite anymore. He had spent days in this military hole, and his patience had officially evaporated."What do you mean I can't meet the higher-ups right now?" Kaelen growled, leaning over the desk so he was inches away from the lieutenant's face. "We had an agreement. I did the work. I delivered the results. Now, get me the people who can sign my exit papers."The lieutenant didn't even look up from his tablet, though his fingers were twitching slightly. "I am sorry, Mr. Kaelen, but like I told you ten minutes ago, it is beyond my jurisdiction. The colonels and the generals are in a closed-door briefing. Nobody goes in, and nobody comes out until they are finished.""That is total bullshit and you know it," Kaelen snapped, his voice rising. "How could you even agree to this? You promised me that as soon as the test was successful, I wou