Chapter 4: Breaking the Control
Eliza stepped forward slowly, tears streaming down her face.
“No,” she said softly. “You’re not supposed to hurt anyone. You’re my daughter.”
Emily flinched.
“My daughter,” Eliza repeated, her voice trembling but firm. “No one gets to decide who you are except you.”
Marcus’s tone sharpened.
“Emily. Don’t listen.”
Emily’s hands began to shake.
“I don’t remember her,” she said. “I don’t remember any of this.”
“That’s because he took it from you,” Damian said.
Oliver stepped forward suddenly, still holding Eliza’s hand.
“I’m your brother,” he said, his voice small but brave. “I didn’t know you before… but I want to know you now.”
Emily stared at him.
At his tears.
At his hope.
Something inside her cracked.
“I… don’t want to hurt anyone,” she whispered.
Marcus’s voice rose, furious now.
“You were created for this!”
“No,” she said.
The room fell silent.
“I wasn’t created,” Emily said, her voice gaining strength. “I was stolen.”
May you like
She reached up—and removed the earpiece hidden behind her ear.
Marcus’s voice disappeared.
