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My chest tightens. “Who are you?”

Her eyes soften. “A grandmother. Loyal to the one who saved my granddaughter. I know what it’s like to give up a child.”

The pain in her voice cuts through me.

“Your daughter was part of the project?”

“She wanted to be. She died trying to prove she was worthy, no matter the cost. She was a geneticist.” She swallows. “Brilliant,but then she got involved with a much older man and…” Her eyes mist over, and she clears her throat. “Anyway, her daughter-my-my—my baby girl—was saved.” She glances down, and her voice drops. “We tried hard to save my daughter… but she was beyond saving. Brainwashed and totally under the spell of an evil old man.”

My voice is a whisper. “I’m sorry. This project… it ruins everything.”

She gives me more water. “It started with good intentions. By a good man who only wanted to save his people and the world. But it became a weapon.”

“Of mass destruction,” I snarl. “I’m sorry about your daughter, but I’m glad you at least have your grandchild.”

“Yes, she's the sweetest little thing,” Nurse Vera tells me. “Now, I have to tell you something, we don’t have much time.”

“How old is your granddaughter?” I ask, interrupting her. I'm not sure why, but something inside me pushes me to. An instinct I can’t explain. “What's her name?”

Nurse Vera looks at me in confusion for a few seconds. “She’s almost fourteen and her name is Eva.”

“How long have you been taking care of her?” I have no idea what’s making me ask. It’s like my mouth has taken over, and my brain can’t get it back into check.

“Since she was one,” Nurse Vera tells me, her eyes misting over again, and guilt hits me.

“I’m sorry,” I say quickly. “I didn’t mean to bring up painful memories…” My eyes search hers as the memories of Elena hitme. Cold and clear. “I only got to hold my baby girl for a moment.”

“I’m sorry, sweetie.” Nurse Vera’s voice fills with compassion. “You’ll see her again.”

I nod and swipe at my eyes. “What did you need to tell me?”

“You’re going to get told some distressing news from the doctor,” Nurse Vera tells me. “I know it’s going to be a shock to hear. But trust me, Tara, it’s not true. I had to alter your medical file, and it’s for a very good reason. If the RMSAD knows you had a miscarriage…” She shakes her head. “They will think you can reproduce and trust me… the Jewel Initiative subjects were never meant to reproduce. So please, please go along with what the doctor says. It is for your own good.”

My throat tightens. “What… What did you alter it to?”

“Because of the sepsis and internal damage, we had to remove part of your uterus. Your file reflects that you can no longer have children.”

I nod, numb. “But it’s not true?” I whisper.

“No.” Nurse Vera shakes her head and gives me a warm smile. “Now get some rest,” she says.

She moves to the door.

I want to ask her more, but I’m unable to. My mind is still broken glass and dust. But a single truth is beginning to shine through, warming my heart:Elena is alive and real, not a figment of my tortured imagination.

Nurse Vera has not been gone long when Konstantin bursts back in, breathless. His eyes bore into mine.

“Tara,” he says, voice low and grim, “how do I contact Clyde?”

My stomach clenches. “Why?”

“Because Ruslan’s been abducted. And the last person he was going to meet… was Clyde Smythe.”

12

RUSLAN

RUSLAN