Evelyn's POV
"Your sister died because of my family."
The words hang in the air between us like smoke. We're back at Damien's house, in his study. I'm shaking so hard my teeth chatter.
"Tell me everything," I whisper. "No more secrets."
Damien stands by the window, his back to me. When he finally turns around, his eyes look haunted.
"Elena was twenty-five. Smart, funny, always laughing." His voice breaks on the last word. "She dated a researcher at Whitmore Pharmaceuticals. Some guy named Dr. Chen. She thought he was sweet."
I wrap my arms around myself. "What happened?"
"One night she came to my apartment, terrified. Said she'd seen something at Chen's place. Research files he'd left open on his laptop." Damien's hands curl into fists. "There were names. Dozens of them. People listed as dead in public records but alive in something called Project Transfer. Hidden in secret facilities."
My stomach drops. "My father's project."
