His Ninety-Nine Betrayals, My Freedom

oked at me over his spectacles, his expression etched with a mix of concern and admiration. "Pr

me reconsider the drastic nature of my dec

eplied, my voice steady. "

ortunity, of course. Your work on the propulsion system alone makes

ement, followed by the abrupt cancellation and my immediate volunteering for Project Chimera, had spread like wildfire. Tongues wag

it was salvation. A chance to bury myself in work, to rediscover the brilliant engineer I knew I was, the woman whose mi

hings with Bryce. "That boy isn't worth a single tear you shed, Amelie," she'd declared, her voice firm. "Let me make a

ant to force him into anything. A marriage built on resentment is worse than no mar

ckle. "My girl. You finally found your back

pliant. But Bryce's betrayal, his casual disregard for my feelings, his willingness to use my career as l

c in its dedication to science. No cell service, limited internet, and strict security protocols meant a complete severance from

f challenge I thrived on, the kind of intellectual puzzle that made my blood sing. I had applied for it months ago, passing rigorous tests and inte

ncy, a desperate need to sever ties, to erase the past. I blocked Bryce's number. I ignored my mother's increasingly fr

ck on my ap

ies in one hand, a takeout bag from my favorite Thai restaurant in th

heard from you in days. I was worried. Thought you might need

hat no longer held any power over me. I hadn't seen him si

offered, a hesitant smi

ad Thai a cheap attempt at reconciliation. "And you, Bryce,"

eing like this? I know I messed up.

derstand... she's a certainty. And then: I'll have your security cleara

fends you always. The ol

ng straight to the point. No more games.

anted to see you. Talk. You can't just r

" I stated, my voice flat, holding no anger, just cold, hard truth. "It ended when you threatened my career to manipu

He stammered, "I... I don't know what you're talki

pted, my gaze unwavering. "I

in his hand. "Amelie, please. It wasn't like that. It was a contingency plan.

t ever matter to you? Did my years of waiting, of putting my life on hold, of sacrifi

't. It's too late. I'm leaving. For three years. And when I come

Three years? Amelie, no! You can't just... disapp

than he does about his fiancée? What about a man who threatens his partner's career for his sister's manufactured cri

r had crumbled, revealing a desperate, entitled man who was finally realizing he had pushed t

I'll make it right. I swear. We'll get married next week. No more delays

was promising me what I had always wanted, but it felt like a conso

a hundred chances. One hundred. And you blew every sing

ain, but I cut him off. "I have t

g forgotten in his hand. His face was a mask of disbelief. "You're serio

firmed, my voice carrying the weight of yea

nded by the remnants of his futile attempt to win me back. The silence that followe