Chapter 11 - The room went silent.I turned toward Daniel.
“Is it true?”
“No.”
My recorded face continued speaking.
“Daniel believes he loves me.”
She smiled sadly.
“But he loves the version of me he created.”
Daniel looked like he had been shot.
“That recording was made before the accident.”
I stared.
“What accident?”
“You don't remember.”
“I want the truth.”
Daniel slowly lowered his weapon.
“Seven years ago, you discovered Orpheus.”
“Yes.”
“You tried to destroy it.”
“Yes.”
“You found out your father planned to use Madison.”
“Yes.”
“You came to me.”
“What did I ask you to do?”
Daniel looked away.
“You asked me to erase your memories.”
“Why?”
“Because you believed you could no longer trust yourself.”
I felt numb.
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“Because you made me promise.”
My recorded self suddenly spoke again.
“If Daniel is standing beside you, he probably thinks he saved you.”
She looked directly into the camera.
“He didn't.”
The screen changed.
A second video began.
This time I was unconscious.
Daniel stood over me.
My father was beside him.
Michael was watching.
My father's voice filled the room.
“Begin the procedure.”
I watched myself being strapped to a machine.
Then Daniel spoke.
“Wait.”
My father looked at him.
“She changed her mind.”
“She gave you permission.”
“She changed her mind.”
My father smiled.
“Then you'll do it yourself.”
Daniel hesitated.
Then he pressed a button.
The screen went black.
I stepped away.
“You did it.”
Daniel nodded.
“I did.”
“You erased me.”
“Yes.”
“You created that copy.”
“Yes.”
“And then you married me again.”
“Yes.”
I slapped him.
The sound echoed through the chamber.
Madison cried.
Daniel didn't defend himself.
“I'm sorry.”
I wanted to scream.
Instead I asked:
“Why?”
“Because I loved you.”
“That isn't love.”
“I know.”
A siren started.
Lucas' voice came through the intercom.
“Renee, you have three minutes.”
“Until what?”
“Total archive purge.”
My eyes widened.
“Who initiated it?”
“Michael.”
Daniel looked up.
“No.”
Lucas continued.
“He has access.”
“Can he erase everyone?”
“Yes.”
“Then stop him.”
“I can't.”
“Why?”
“Because he has Madison's biometric data.”
I looked at my daughter.
“What does that mean?”
Daniel whispered:
“Her identity is the key.”
The doors suddenly opened.
Michael entered.
He held a gun.
And beside him was my mother.
She had blood on her hands.
I froze.
“Mom?”
She looked at me.
“I'm sorry.”
Michael smiled.
“Finally.”
He pointed the gun at Madison.
“Now we finish what your father started.”
Daniel stepped forward.
Michael fired.
The bullet struck Daniel in the chest.
He fell.
I screamed.
“Daddy!”
Madison ran toward him.
Michael grabbed her.
I lunged.
He pressed the gun against her head.
“Don't.”
My father entered behind him.
For the first time, Michael looked afraid.
“Jonathan.”
My father smiled.
“Good.”
Michael looked confused.
“You said you wanted her alive.”
“I changed my mind.”
He nodded toward me.
“We only need one more person.”
Me.
My father raised a small syringe.
“Renee.”
“What?”
“Remember.”
He injected my neck.
The room vanished.
And suddenly I remembered everything.
May you like
Every single thing.
Including why I had once tried to kill my own father.
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