Chapter 6: The Second File
“I told you this wasn’t over.”
Adrian’s voice came from behind me.
Cold.
Calm.
Dangerously calm.
I turned slowly.
He was holding a sealed envelope.
Black.
No markings.
No federal stamp.
The agent stepped forward instantly.
“Put that down.”
But Adrian smiled.
“I think you should see this first.”
Claire stood frozen beside the wall.
My son clutched my hand tighter.
The agent frowned.
“Where did you get that?”
Adrian ignored him.
Instead, he looked at me.
“You really think you were the only one monitored?”
My stomach dropped.
“What are you talking about?”
He tapped the envelope.
“You were selected, yes.”
He paused.
“But not for the reason you think.”
The agent moved closer.
“Last warning.”
Adrian opened the envelope.
And slid a single sheet onto the table.
The moment the agent saw it…
His entire expression changed.
For the first time…
He looked uncertain.
“Where did you get THIS file?”
Adrian leaned back.
“From your own department.”
Silence.
The agent picked it up.
Read it.
Then read it again.
His hand tightened.
“No… this file was sealed under Level Omega clearance.”
Claire whispered:
“What does that mean?”
The agent didn’t answer her.
He looked at me.
Slowly.
Carefully.
And said:
“Mrs. Carter… this case was never about custody.”
My breath stopped.
“What?”
He turned the document toward me.
My eyes scanned the top line.
And I saw it.
My name.
Under a classification title I had never heard before:
PROJECT REPLACEMENT PROTOCOL — SUBJECT ALPHA
My blood turned cold.
The agent stepped back slightly.
“This case has been escalated beyond family court jurisdiction.”
Adrian exhaled slowly.
Like he had been waiting for this moment.
Then he said:
“You weren’t fighting for your child.”
He looked at me.
“You were fighting to keep him alive.”
Silence hit the room like a wall.
My son looked up at me.
Confused.
“Mom…?”
I couldn’t answer.
Because the agent was already shaking his head.
“No… this can’t be active again…”
Claire whispered:
“What can’t be active?”
The agent slowly turned the page.
And said the sentence that made the entire courtroom go dead silent:
“Your child is part of a federal genetic continuation program.”
My heart stopped.
“What…?”
Adrian stepped forward.
May you like
And smiled.
“Welcome to the real reason you were chosen.”
