At the same time, Zara stepped closer, her expression unreadable.
"This… all of this," she said softly, gesturing to the machines, "it isn't just an experiment."
A pause.
"It's an escape."
Her gaze shifted to Noor.
"A way to begin again… without destroying anything."
She tilted her head slightly, studying her.
"I've never told this to anyone before," she added quietly. "But there's a first time for everything."
Without warning, she reached forward and lightly tapped Noor's nose—almost playfully.
"Let me tell you a story."
She began pacing slowly, the weight of her words heavy in the quiet room.
"Once upon a time, there were twins," she said. "A girl and a boy."
A faint smile.
"Zara… and Zubair. They had a happy life.
Trips, laughter… a family that seemed whole."
Her voice lowered.
"Until their mother fell ill."
She stopped behind Noor, gently lifting a strand of her hair.
"I don't even know your name," she murmured. "I know the body you're in… Farhat's. She and Vallarmathi helped me once."
Her fingers loosened.
"So tell me—what is your name?"
"Noor," came the reply.
Zara repeated it softly.
"Noor… yani light."
A small, distant smile appeared.
"What a beautiful name."
Her expression hardened slightly.
"You must have had a bright life. I didn't. At seven, our mother was already dying. Coughing blood… and we didn't even understand what was happening."
A breath.
"At eight, we lost her."
Silence settled between them.
"Our father…" she continued, slower now, "he wasn't cruel. Not really. He provided. Food. Shelter. Everything that looked like care. But he was never there. His work mattered more."
Years passed… and they became less important.
"You know, I could have accepted that. If he had treated us equally. But he didn't.
Everyone else called us prodigies. But in his eyes…"
She looked directly at Noor.
"I was never enough. He didn't even give me a chance."
She stepped closer, her voice calm—too calm.
"Well… that's enough for now."
A faint smile returned.
"What do you think of this little story, Noor?"
Then, almost like a child asking a question she already feared the answer to—
"Do you think… he'll notice me?"
Fortunately—or perhaps, unfortunately—Fuzzle stepped in.
He just had to open that door, and suddenly, all of Zara's attention snapped toward him. For a brief moment, it looked like she was about to strike.
Behind her, 6260818 remained silent, watching.
Then Zara let out a dry chuckle.
"Oh," she said, sharp and cold, "so you're no longer Fawdaa, are you?"
She stepped closer, eyes narrowing.
"Tell me… what is your name? I know .My experiment worked. There's no point lying—you're not who you appear to be. It would be much easier if you just accepted it. You're not this clone. Are you? Just… tell me."
Fazil's heart thumped painfully. He forced himself to meet her gaze, trying to hide the fear curling in his stomach.
"You're right. I'm not. But that doesn't give you the right to use Fawdaa as a test subject—to… manipulate her ."
Zara's voice was calm, but cold.
"You're clever, I'll give you that. But you made a mistake."
Noor—wide-eyed—interjected, "What mistake would that be?"
Zara's eyebrow arched.
"Exactly. You think you're so careful. Only Fawdaa knew certain things. And even without revealing yourself, I would have known. Either she's in that same body , or you're holding her memories. If she were in this body, she wouldn't have led you to me."
Her tone turned bitter, almost personal.
"And you… why do you think I had no right? My brother has the right to experiment, to use these clones. Why shouldn't I? How am I different from him?"
Her eyes darkened.
"He's loving. My father… they give me everything I need. But they are never there for me."
A sudden realization flickered in her expression.
"Oh… wait. You're the brother , aren't you? Not a girl… not really. You're the one she was talking about."
A faint, almost sad smile crossed her face.
"Well… what a reunion."
Then, without warning, her tone hardened.
"Guard . Capture him."
Before Fazil could react, a taser struck the back of his neck. Pain flared, sharp and electric, and he convulsed once before collapsing to the floor. His vision blurred; panic gripped him as he struggled to focus.
6260818 stiffened, a flicker of fear crossing her face. She had prepared herself mentally for situations like this, but this was different—Zara's presence alone made the air feel charged, dangerous.
Zara turned sharply to her, her gaze locking on 6260818 like a predator, cold, calculating, and unyielding.
"Well done," she said. "You will be my new assistant."
6260818 swallowed hard, feeling both relief and the weight of Zara's authority.
"I can't guarantee that I won't use you. But you will be free to do as you wish… as long as it doesn't interfere with my commands."
Zara leaned slightly forward, gripping her chair, her predatory gaze never leaving 6260818.
"You no longer have to sit with your dear sisters—the rest of the clones. You are free… but only under me. You better remember that."
6260818 nodded slowly, heart pounding.
Freedom, yes—but under Zara, every move now carried a silent threat. She understood that this was not kindness—it was her power.
The panic surged through Noor fleeing the scene, adrenaline flooding her brain. Without thinking, she bolted to the nearest window, threw it open, and jumped.
Pain shot through her ankle, but somehow—just somehow—she landed and ran.
Strained ankle and all, she ran as fast and as far as she could.
6260818 watched her go, hesitation in her eyes.
"Should I follow her?"
Zara didn't turn. Her voice was cool, detached.
"No need. If she's running, it means there's someone else involved. She'll bring them herself , to me."
She paused, almost casually.
"I've already placed a tracking bug on her."
Then, with a slight turn, she issued orders as if switching to an entirely different persona.
"Take that person to my experimental lab. And you… enjoy a hot shower. You deserve a break."
6260818 blinked, momentarily disoriented by the sudden shift in Zara's tone, but she obeyed without question.