Carl grabbed Olivia's hand, guiding her to sit on the sofa. He leaned in closer, searching her eyes with concern.

  “Liv, please tell me what happened,” he asked softly, his tone warm and comforting like a father soothing his crying child.

  “Carl, she’s a murderer! She killed Melvin’s and Calvin’s father!” Olivia sobbed, her voice barely above a whisper. Carl tightened his grip on her hand.

  “We don’t know for sure,” he whispered back, trying to keep her calm.

  “She did it! Didn’t you see her face?” Olivia's tears fell freely as she looked at him, desperation in her gaze.

  Carl let out a shaky breath. “Let’s find a way to get through this, okay, baby?” He reassured her, rising to face the situation.

  “Oh, Liv,” Tara said, her expression filled with concern as she stood beside her. Carl turned to Calvin, searching for answers, while Olivia leaned on Tara for support. He noticed Melvin shooting Calvin a warning look.

  “What is the meaning of this?” Carl demanded, fixing Calvin with a fierce glare. His eyes clearly communicated: Who are you to hurt my princess?

  “I told her the truth!” Calvin replied calmly, brushing aside Carl’s anger.

  “What truth?” Carl pressed, curiosity piqued.

  “The fact that her mother is a murderer,” Marcus stood up to support Calvin, catching Carl’s attention.

  “What’s your problem with Elsa?” Carl asked, his voice edged with hostility.

  “She sentenced my parents to death for stealing medicine to cure me when I was 13,” Marcus explained, pain evident in his voice.

  “Marcus! That’s not fair to blame Olivia,” Tara interjected, stepping in to defend her friend. “Medicines are limited resources; no one can cross those boundaries.”

  “So I should have been left to die?” Marcus shot back, leaving Tara momentarily speechless.

  “I didn’t mean it that way! It’s just the rules. Everything happens for a reason,” she finally replied, though uncertainty lingered in her voice. Marcus looked at her, disappointment etched on his face.

  “It’s disappointing to hear you wish for my parents’ death,” he said, turning away, the weight of his words hanging heavily in the air.

  “We are all struggling to survive,” Tara explained, and Marcus sank onto the sofa, exhaling heavily. All eyes were on Tara, Marcus, and the sobbing Olivia, so no one noticed Melvin glaring at Calvin. If anyone had seen it, they might have delved deeper into the conversation about Elsa being a murderer, but unfortunately, the moment passed unnoticed.

  Carl’s thoughtful and caring nature shone as he sat down beside Olivia. Without a word, he gently invited her to rest her head against his chest, offering a comforting presence. His silent support spoke volumes, showing that he was there for her, willing to do anything to help her feel at ease. He let her cry as long as she needed, his warmth enveloping her. Once she began to relax, he spoke softly.

  “Liv,” he whispered, pressing a gentle kiss to the top of her head. Olivia looked up at him, still leaning against his chest.

  “Letting you cry it out was the only way, I’m sorry,” Carl murmured, squeezing her hand reassuringly. Olivia nodded, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

  “Whatever your mom did doesn’t change the fact that she loves you. She’s been through so much and had to make difficult choices. Just try to forget what happened. Soon, a chancellor will walk through that door to educate us about the expedition. Now tell me, my brave girl, you won’t cry in front of them.” He gently patted her head, offering comfort and solace.

  Olivia gazed up at him, tears still streaming down her cheeks. With a calming gesture, she wiped her eyes and nodded in agreement. “Now smile. That’s my girl,” Carl said, grinning as he pressed a soft kiss to her lips, bringing a flicker of a smile to Olivia’s face.

  At that moment, the storm within her began to pass. But questions lingered—why did Calvin act so rude? Was he a bully? Did hurting others amuse him? But didn't Tara and Curie say yesterday that he was kinder than most guards?

  After all the lectures and training, Calvin still wanted to meet Melvin. Maybe it wasn’t too late for her to resign; she had a valid excuse since she wasn’t yet eighteen. Eriens, a former captain from the mechanical sector, had also volunteered, and Calvin realized there might still be a chance for him to resign if Bell could convince the council that he was too valuable to lose. They might even hold a lottery for a major position if necessary.

  The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

  Calvin knocked on Melvin's door. When she opened it, she tried to slam it shut, but he caught it with his hand, knowing she wouldn’t hurt him.

  “I’m done talking! Max, Dani, and Bell have all tried to change my mind, and you’re the least likely to succeed,” Melvin yelled.

  “I just want to talk. Please, can I come in?” Calvin pleaded. His gentle tone mirrored Bell’s ability to make people comply. Reluctantly, Melvin stepped aside.

  “Please, resign from the team. If you do, I can find a way to resign too,” Calvin begged after Melvin closed the door.

  “No! I volunteered because I needed this,” Melvin replied firmly.

  “It’s a suicide mission! Why do you want to die?” Calvin protested.

  “Why do you want to die?” Melvin shot back.

  “I don’t want to die! I want to live. I suffered until I met Bell and Max. Why ruin that?” Calvin said, emotion flooding his voice.

  “I didn’t ask you to follow! I’m done with this life! You say you love Bell and Max, but you’re lying to them. Even your name is a lie. I’m finished pretending!” Melvin yelled, tears in her eyes.

  “What else can I do? Lying isn’t fun for me! If anyone finds out about our dad, we’re done, he's not just a criminal Emm, a traitor and we saw what was in that video, a top secret of council—not even Bell can save us!” Calvin shouted, panic rising.

  “You should have never watched that video!” Melvin yelled.

  “I wish I could change it,” Calvin murmured, defeated.

  “I’m done with this life—lying and living in fear, no friends,” Melvin said.

  “Not having friends is your choice!” Calvin countered.

  “I can’t be friends with anyone because I’m full of fear of anyone finding out the truth! It’s your fault! You can’t change my mind!” Melvin replied.

  Calvin covered his face, breathless. “What’s the point of dying?”

  “I’ll die in peace or come back with glory to tell Bell the truth. I’ll ask for a pardon,” she said.

  “No! You can’t tell Bell. What would he think of me? If you do, I swear I’ll hang myself!” Calvin yelled.

  “So it’s death for both of us?” Melvin replied, her eyes hard.

  “Don’t do this! Why are you torturing me? Don’t I deserve happiness? Don’t I deserve a life?” Tears welled in Calvin’s eyes.

  Melvin’s heart ached. No matter how much she pretended to hate him, she loved him deeply. He only showed weakness in front of those he trusted—Bell, Maxwell, and her.

  “I’m not doing this to hurt you, Cal. I can’t live this life. It’s torture. You need to resign. Don’t die for me,” Melvin murmured. Calvin stared at her. After many years of pretending not to care Melvin had said something heartfelt.

  Calvin stared at her, heartbroken. “Please.”

  “No. I’ve made my decision. Leave,” she said, opening the door.

  Calvin exhaled deeply and walked out, wiping his eyes as the door closed. He started to walk down the corridor to his room not knowing who waited for him at the other end.

  Olivia walked down the lonely corridor toward the quarters assigned to the expedition team. After the lecture detailing the weather of the area, gathered over a century ago—before the nuclear wars—she felt a mix of anticipation and unease. The corridor was quiet, reserved for high-ranking personnel, and the clock was nearing 11:30 p.m.

  As she approached her room, a whisper caught her attention from around the corner. Curiosity got the best of her, and she crept closer. To her surprise, she found a tall guy with black hair pushing Calvin against the wall, his grip firm yet seemingly protective.

  “Rethink this, you idiot! I can’t lose my only brother. It’s a suicide mission! Bell is worried for you; I’m worried for you. Don’t do this!” the tall guy whispered, urgency lacing his words. Calvin, who was leaning against the wall, looked at the guy.

  “I wish I could. I know you’re worried. I’m sorry, big bro. I can’t let Melvin go alone. Now let me go, Max. There’s no use in this talk,” Calvin replied softly, his voice trembling.

  Olivia could barely see the other guy’s face, but Calvin’s was clear—was he about to cry? The tension in the air was palpable, and it pained her to see him like this.

  “Nothing to wish for, it’s life or death! Please, little monkey, you’ll die! It’s not too late. Leave the expedition team. Please!” Max’s voice turned pleading, desperation creeping in as Calvin struggled to respond. Olivia recognized him now; he was Maxwell, Bell Bostic’s other adopted son, Calvin's adopted brother.

  Just as she turned to leave, her footsteps echoed in the silence, drawing attention.

  “What are you doing here? Snooping?” Calvin shot back, anger masking his vulnerability.

  “I didn’t mean to interrupt; I just heard something while walking to my room,” Olivia said politely, trying to back away. Calvin watched her leave, but Maxwell’s voice cut through again, now edged with threat.

  “Think again! If you do this, you’re not my br—” Calvin interrupted, his voice desperately rising as Olivia stepped away. She couldn’t help but listen.

  “Please don’t say it, Max! I beg you,” Calvin pleaded, and Olivia could hear the pain in his voice. Could this really be the same guy who had tormented her earlier? It felt surreal. Maxwell eyed Calvin, meeting his pleading brown eyes.

  “Fine! You’re grown up now, not the 14-year-old I used to advise. You can do whatever you want with your life! But don’t expect me to shed a single tear over your death!” Maxwell’s anger flared, but as he looked at Calvin’s tear-filled eyes, his resolve faltered.

  'Oh, little monkey, what are you thinking? You can’t control fate!' Maxwell’s mind raced as he saw the tears threatening to spill. He couldn’t bear to see his brother cry. They both had been through a lot together. He had known Calvin since he was just a fourteen-year-old boy. Calvin was his best friend, his brother, the one who always had his back, the one who always annoyed him with stupid pranks, the one who helped him through hard times.

  “Think again, please! You know I’m worried for you,” Maxwell said, his voice softening as he released Calvin’s shoulders. Calvin choked on a breath, sending an ache like a current through Maxwell's heart. He couldn't do this anymore.

  Maxwell turned away, and Calvin’s teary brown eyes searched for understanding in his brother’s face. He walked past Olivia. Calvin still leaning against the wall, lost in thought, desperately wiped his eyes with his palm, trying to hold back the flood of emotions