Chapter 6
I turned on my heel and headed for the door.
“Stop her! my dad barked at the security guards.
I paused, spinning back around to face him, my voice cold and steady.
“Do you really think you can stop me? Do you have any idea who I am now?”
“My status isn’t something you–or your business connections–can match.”
“Try me. If I’m not out of this house in five minutes, let’s see how fast the cops show up.”
Dad sank back onto the couch, defeated.
He waved a hand, signaling the guards to stand down.
I walked out without looking back.
Behind me, I could hear my mom screaming my name, her voice raw and desperate.
But I didn’t stop.
I didn’t even turn around.
Too little, too late.
Their sudden remorse meant nothing to me now.
Whatever love they thought they were offering had already withered and died years ago.
After leaving, I thought I’d made myself clear.
But of course, they didn’t get it.
Mom went as far as giving an interview to a journalist, spilling the details of our estranged relationship.
She painted herself as a victim, claiming they’d only done what they thought was best.
It backfired spectacularly.
The internet erupted.
“Good God, what kind of parents are these? Superstitious nonsense in this day and age?”
“Seriously, blaming their daughter’s birthday for ruining their son’s life?”
“Who even buys that garbage?”
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Chapter
They were born a minute apart, but somehow Emma is the problem? Make it make sense.”
I went to school with Emma.”
Straight–Andent, full of grit and kindness–a flower that bloomed in the mud.”
“Jason? Oh, he’s just a spoiled brat who wouldn’t last five minutes without Mommy and Daddy’s money.”
“Isn’t Jason the guy who crashed his car and left someone bleeding on the side of the road?”
“Didn’t Daddy’s checkbook make that problem magically disappear?”
“Wow, these parents are a piece of work.”
“They threw away the one good kid they had. Disgusting.”
The backlash was brutal.
Harper Enterprises–my family’s company–got dragged through the mud.
Their products were review–bombed.
Their social media accounts were flooded with angry comments.
Eventually, they had to shut down their entire comments section to stop the outrage.
It didn’t end there.
Some sleuths dug up a video interview from three years ago–an old clip of Mom and Dad boasting about taking Jason on a luxury vacation.
The timing? It was right after I left.
“So they just left Emma home alone while they whisked Jason off on a family trip?”
“Makes sense why she cut them off.”
“No wonder she left. Can you imagine being treated like that?”
“Emma didn’t just leave–she went to the middle of nowhere and worked herself to the bone for three years.”
“Thank God for her professor. Otherwise, who knows what might’ve happened to her?”
“Double standards much?”
I put my phone down, shaking my head at the chaos unfolding online.
I didn’t have time to dwell on it
A few days later, Professor Collins came to me with news.
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Emma, the project’s entering Its next phase.”
The government wants us to form a specialized team to tackle this issue full–time. It’s classified work.”
“Are you interested?”
“Of course I am, I said without hesitation.
He hesitated.
“What about your family? Would they be a problem?”
I took a deep breath, my tone steady but firm.
“I don’t have a family, Professor. You’ve seen the reports.”
“Most of what’s out there is true. I’ve already told them where I stand.”
“If they try to interfere again, I’ll have to rely on the team to handle it.”
Professor Collins studied me for a moment before nodding.
“I see. You’re cutting ties for good.”
I’ve already moved everything out of their reach. My life is my own now.”
“They don’t have a hold on me anymore.”
He sighed but gave me a small, supportive smile.
“All right, Emma. I respect your decision. As long as you’re sure about this, I’ll back you up every step of the way.”
“I’ve never been more sure,” I said, my voice unwavering.
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