The Twin's Last Martian Wish

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a stylus on a digital canvas, now traced the rough edges of driftwood on a deserted beach in Bali. I had found a small studio here, far from the gleaming skyscrapers and the suffocating opulence of Cla

, awaiting their journey. I wore a simple silver band on my ring finger now, a p

nt the sky in fiery hues. I learned to surf, picked up a smattering of Indonesian, and found a quiet joy in

touches to a particularly vibrant piece, a familiar, gra

d you, my fans expect five-star lux

be. Not here. Not in this tin

to the colorful chaos of the market. And clinging to his arm, a furious Gisele, her desig

cs, my breath catching in my throat. This was imposs

, strained. He looked different. Haggard, perhaps. A faint stubble shad

crowd, his gaze sweeping over faces, searching. He

ion. "What? The data servers? What do you mean, compromised? Who would dare-" His voice dropped to a furi

oblivious, tugged at his arm. "Clayton, darling, who

, a desperate urgency now mingled with his anger.

r of the market, Gisele's complaints-all faded into nothingness. His eyes, so lik

g his arm free from her grasp wi

e move

rong of tourists and locals. But he was faster. His hand clamped aro

a raw, primal sound. "What

da? Still stalking him, are we? You pathetic little leech. Can't you leave him alone?" She

ze was fixed on me, intense, desperate. "Why didn't you

"Did you take it? My data server. Was it you?

truggled to process his accusations, h

voice barely a whisper. "You have no ri

Ada, you were my wife! For five years! You can't

at his arm again. "She probably tracked you here to ext

him nothing. But you probably owe me a hug, considering

years. He was an old friend, a fellow graphic designer, someone Julian and I had known well before Clayton entered m

lled me gently away from Clayton's grasp. "Long time no see, Ada.

whispered, the relief washing over me i

that sacrifice... it finally paid off." He looked at Clayton, his smile fading, replaced by a steely gaze.

she actually cared about that astronaut brother of yours? Please!" She turned to Leo, shaking her head. "You clearly don't know this woman.

had become wide, a dawning horror spreading across his face. He stare

h sudden, terrible comprehension. "Sacrifice? For... for who, Ada?" He pointe

heavy with unspoken truths. I met his g

m, the name a sacred vow, a final, defin