Tara walked down the corridor, lost in thought, heading to the chancellor's office of the Farming and Hydrology sector. After a long word game, she had finally managed to get the information out of Madam Penny: Elsa Blake was in the chancellor's office of the Hydrology and Farming sector. That’s where she was going.

  Suddenly, Tara was jolted from her thoughts as she crashed into someone.

  "Um, sorry," Tara said, looking up to find a familiar face. A smile crept onto her lips despite the chaos swirling in her mind.

  "Hey! It's you, Livvy!" she exclaimed, beaming at her old friend.

  "Long time, no see!" Olivia replied, her violet eyes lighting up.

  "Uh-huh, says the girl who left her best friend in doc training, huh?" Tara teased.

  "Come on, we're not going back to this. I had my reasons," Olivia chuckled.

  "Yeah, your mom. I remember," Tara said, her gaze shifting to the door of the chancellor's office.

  "Are you heading to the chancellor's office?" Tara asked curiously.

  "Mm-hmm, about the expedition," Olivia replied, excitement shining in her eyes. Tara recognized that look: the same determined expression Olivia had when she left the medical sector to confront her mother.

  "Would you mind giving me the chance to go first?" Olivia asked as they approached the door. Tara hesitated for a moment. "Um, okay, sure," she said, nervously waving her hand.

  "Thank you!" Olivia said, placing her thumb on the scanner to open the door. Tara watched her enter, feeling a mix of anxiety and anticipation.

  As the door closed behind her, Olivia realized that the person waiting inside was not who she had expected. Her eyebrows shot up as she met the identical violet eyes that mirrored her own.

  "Mom?" she whispered, puzzled.

  "Oh, here you are, sweetheart. I thought you might come," Elsa said, looking up. Her smile carried a hint of warning, and Olivia's jaw clenched.

  "Mom, what are you doing here? This is not your place," Olivia yelled. Elsa Blake, seated in the chancellor's chair, responded calmly.

  "Olivia, are you here to volunteer? I thought you might take this opportunity to hurt me. Penny asked me to be here to stop you from volunteering."

  Olivia wasn't discouraged or surprised by her mother's words; it seemed she had anticipated this conversation. She handled it as if it had already played out in her mind.

  "Which part of that message are you going to use to stop me? I'm 21 and have a degree in hydrology and farming," she challenged her expression firm.

  "I'm your mother, and you are not going on that suicide mission. That's the final decision," Elsa said, rising from her seat.

  "My mother!" Olivia smirked.

  "Do you remember it's my birthday today?" she asked. Elsa's mouth fell open, and she knocked her forehead in surprise. She looked at her daughter with an apologetic expression.

  "Oh, sweetheart, I'm sorry. I was so busy with that mission that I—"

  Olivia cut her off, indicating the strained bond between them. "Oh, no wonder! It's your habit to forget my birthday every year. You're so busy with your first responsibility—Octagon Veranda—that you forget I'm your second responsibility."

  Elsa paused, staring at Olivia's furious eyes. Then she looked down, avoiding Olivia's gaze, her fingers tracing the edge of the table. Her shoulders slumped.

  "I didn't mean to forget," she murmured, her voice barely audible. Then she looked back at Olivia with pleading eyes. "I did not mean to hurt you, Olivia, but I... I—" Elsa struggled to find the right words.

  Suddenly, the office door opened again, and a well-built boy entered the room. His green-gold eyes flickered between Olivia and Elsa. Olivia turned back and recognized him.

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  "Carl," she whispered, her eyes pleading with him to stay. He was taken aback by the suddenness of the argument but hesitated to leave.

  "Maybe I should come back later," he suggested, pointing to the door, unsure what to do.

  "No, no, Carl, wait!" Elsa exclaimed, desperation creeping into her voice. "Please, explain to Olivia how risky this expedition could be. You're the only one she trusts."

  With a heavy sigh, Carl turned back to face them. He knew the dangers lay ahead, and he also understood that Olivia needed to hear it from someone she believed in. "Okay," he said, "I'll talk to her." His words seemed to calm Elsa's nerves, and she smiled gratefully at him.

  "Thank you, Carl," she said, relief evident. "I knew we could count on you."

  Could she count on him? He took a deep breath and looked at Olivia, gauging the expressions on her face.

  "But, ma'am, I'm here to ask whether I can join the expedition team," Carl said politely. Elsa stared at Carl, her eyes wide. Was he asking for permission? Seriously? Or was it another silly joke?

  "You must be kidding!" Elsa exclaimed, wide-eyed as if she had heard something terrifying. But Carl remained calm.

  "I just thought that if we both went on the expedition, maybe we could look out for each other." Olivia regarded him with admiration, while Elsa's expression darkened.

  "Are you two in your right minds? I'm not letting my only daughter and future son-in-law risk their lives. You are the only family I’ve got left, Olivia. Do you understand? I can’t abandon you!" Elsa's voice trembled as she poured out her feelings.

  "You've been abandoning me since Dad died. Why can't you do it one more time? What about my birthday?" Olivia shot back, her concern for her mother overshadowed by her own hurt.

  Elsa struggled to find the right words, her mouth opening and closing as she searched for a response. Eventually, she spoke, determined to prove to Olivia that she cared.

  "I do care for you, sweetheart—maybe not in the regular way, but I just... um. Tell me, what would you like as a birthday present? Anything you desire, and I'll make sure you receive it," Elsa said, her voice filled with apology. She wanted to express how much she loved her daughter. Olivia seized the moment.

  "Put me and Carl on the expedition team," Olivia challenged, her expression resolute, leaving Elsa momentarily speechless.

  "No!" Elsa shouted, her voice trembling as she poured out her feelings.

  "Ma'am, there won't be anyone else volunteering from our sector, I can guarantee that. Think about your first responsibility, and I'll take care of her. Please!" Carl pleaded desperation in his tone. Elsa let out a heavy breath, her mind racing. She knew Carl would take care of her better than anyone just like he did in the last four years. She felt torn between her head and her heart. On one hand, she knew how important this mission was for humanity; on the other, it was her only child at stake. After a few tense moments, she looked at them, her expression hopeless.

  "I'll allow it only if there are no volunteers from this sector," she finally said, bitterness and hurt lingering in her heart. Olivia turned to Carl, a smile lighting up her face. The two seemed oblivious to the worry etched on Elsa's features. Deep down, Elsa hoped there would be another volunteer.

  "I'm sure there won’t be any," Olivia replied confidently, secretly relishing her small victory over her mother. They both began walking toward the door. Sure, Elsa had hurt Olivia in the past, but did that justify Olivia's actions? Oh, why did people have to be so complicated? Carl glanced back at Elsa, concern in his eyes. She nodded, silently urging him to leave.

  As soon as they stepped outside Tara hurried inside, Olivia and Tara barely managed to exchange a smile. After Tara disappeared into the office Olivia grabbed Carl's arm, her expression serious, though her violet eyes sparkled with mischief. "Were you about to go on an expedition without me, Carl?" she whispered playfully as the door closed behind them. Carl turned to her, a teasing smile on his face.

  "I was about to ask the same thing, Liv. I saw you heading toward the room and guessed," he replied, meeting her joyful gaze while gently tucking a strand of blonde hair behind her ear. Olivia smiled, running her fingers through his brown hair.

  "Mind reader," she chuckled, blushing. Carl rolled his eyes, grinning in that sweet way she loved, but his expression grew serious as he exhaled slowly.

  "But your mother was right, Olivia. I wanted to stop you, but I was too late, so I chose to be with you," he murmured, staring deeply into her eyes. Olivia's smile faded.

  "You know, you should've asked me before volunteering," Carl said gently, though his words felt like a weight on her heart.

  "I'm sorry for dragging you into this, but I have no desire for life here—busy, tiring, cruel. I’d rather die in peace knowing I sought my revenge," Olivia replied, locking eyes with Carl.

  He paused, nodding slowly. "I get it, but you have me, you know that, right? What about us? You’ve skipped therapy sessions in the last few weeks; that’s why you’re feeling so down. You are strong, Liv, but you need those sessions to avoid making impulsive decisions that might hurt you. Whatever you decide, I’m with you, but you need to talk to me before making serious decisions like this after today, okay?" he asked gently. Carl understood the nature of the trauma Olivia experienced after her dad died and her mom began to ignore her. Both Olivia and her mother were deeply traumatized by that loss. When Carl first met Olivia, she was so broken, but over the last four years, he had watched her heal and grow stronger with his support. He loved this girl for her strong personality and leadership, traits that mirrored her chancellor mother's. But he had to be careful dealing with the impulsive nature that trauma left her with.

  Carl watched as Olivia nodded, releasing a breath she didn’t realize she was holding.

  "That’s my girl," Carl said, pulling her into a tight hug. Olivia nestled into his shoulder, a small smile tugging at her lips.