Mr. McCourtney's Dark Secret [6]
"Pumpkin... I'm home," I called out as I opened the front door of our house.
"Look who's home… Look who's home… Daddy's home," Sophia replied, not directly to me, but in a playful voice to the baby in her arms. She walked toward me, holding our beautiful baby girl. "Welcome home, Honey," she said, then pecked my lips.
It was my turn to ignore her, as my attention was completely stolen by the adorable baby. "Hi, Jennie. Did you miss Daddy?" I asked. The baby responded with an insignificant sound, but still, both Sophia and I laughed and praised her in unison, "Smart girl!"
I took the baby from Sophia's arms and began playing with her while Sophia carried my luggage to the laundry room. We named this beautiful baby Jennifer. She was the surrogate for our lost baby, provided by my supervisor less than twenty-four hours after I sent her my message.
At first, I hated her. No matter how beautiful she was, she wasn't my blood. Every time I looked at her sweet face, guilt tore through me—guilt for causing the death of our baby. Unconsciously, I projected that guilt onto innocent Jennifer. Thankfully, that changed the moment I saw how Sophia looked at her—with a love deeper than anything I'd ever seen. That love began to melt my heart.
It completely melted the morning baby Jennifer, just a few weeks old, woke me with a gentle touch. I jolted awake, ready to snap, but then I saw her big green eyes... and she chuckled. Her laughter dissolved every ounce of my anger and made me fall in love with this tiny, harmless being. From that day forward, I decided to love her as my own daughter.
She was our daughter. That's all Sophia ever knew. The day after she woke from her hospitalization, I brought her home. The following day, I brought Jennifer. I never asked where my supervisor got the baby—and I didn't care. All that mattered was Sophia's happiness as a new mother.
"Come to Mommy again, Baby Girl... Daddy must be tired," Sophia said, gently taking Jennifer back into her arms. I didn't resist. I loved seeing Sophia cradling her.
My eyes drifted to a big box beside the loveseat across from where I sat. "Hey, who's that from, Pumpkin?" I asked, pointing to the still-wrapped gift box.
"Oh... an old friend from high school visited me two days ago," Sophia said as she breastfed Jennifer. "She somehow heard I had just given birth and wanted to stop by and bring Jennie a gift."
"I don't know how she even knew," she continued. "I haven't told any of my old school or college friends."
I frowned. "Then how did she find out? And how did she know where you live?"
Sophia shrugged. "No idea. She said she just moved to Town U, right next door. Said she was new there and was excited to learn I lived nearby."
My frown deepened. "Were you two close back then?"
Sophia paused to think. "Not really. I didn't even recognize her at first. But she acted like we were best friends in high school."
"What's her name?" I asked, my suspicion intensifying.
"Joanne… no, Joanna," Sophia said.
"Why?" she asked when she noticed my sharp gasp.
"No. Nothing," I muttered.My supervisor's name... was Joanna.
-
"Pumpkin, did you—"I froze. The woman in my kitchen was not Sophia.
"What...!?" I rushed toward her—she sat comfortably at our breakfast nook, sipping coffee like she owned the place.
"What are you doing here?! Where is Sophia?!" I hissed. My hands trembled, fists tightening, ready to strike.
"Relax, Iggy," my supervisor hissed back, sipping her coffee before continuing. "She's just changing Jennie's diaper."
"What… why…" I exhaled sharply, trying to control myself. "Why are you doing this?"
"I just wanted to meet the woman who made you do all those stupid things," she said casually.
"I… I told you… I'm not running anymore," I said, swallowing the lump in my throat. "I took the soul-binding. I swore loyalty to the organization. You promised to leave my family alone."
"What did I do?" she said, feigning innocence. "I just want to be her friend. She seems like a lovely woman. I like her." She added with a smile, "As long as you stay loyal, I guarantee their safety."
"We don't—"I stopped when I heard footsteps approaching the kitchen. My face relaxed, and I forced a smile. "So, where do you live in Town U?" I asked, smoothly switching topics as Sophia walked in with Jennifer in her arms.
"Ah, you've met Joanna already, Honey," Sophia said cheerfully, standing beside me with a beaming smile.
I nodded, wrapping an arm around her waist. "She said you two were best friends in high school," I said warmly.
"Yes, we were—until I moved away in my second year," Joanna replied, flashing a wide, polished smile. "I live on Street O in Town U."
"Maybe we can visit you sometime," I said with a mocking undertone.
"Sure, you're more than welcome. Just call ahead—my husband and I both work, and we love to spend weekends hiking and camping."
"Tom is rarely home, but when he is, we'd love to visit," Sophia added with a sparkle in her eyes. She was clearly excited to have her husband getting along with her "old friend."
"We could even join them hiking and camping," I said, pressing Joanna further.
"Yes... yes, we could do it when Jennie's a bit older. It'll be fun!" Sophia said excitedly.
"Su… sure… we can arrange it later," Joanna replied, her smile faltering for the first time.I smirked.Lying was her second nature, but even she had limits.
-
"Daddy!!" Jennifer jumped up from her seat and ran toward me the moment I stepped into the house. I squatted down, arms wide open, ready to catch her. As soon as she reached me, I scooped her up and twirled her into the air.
She burst into laughter—pure, joyous laughter—and in an instant, all my exhaustion melted away.
"I missed you, Daddy," she said in her sweet little voice. Jennifer was already five by then, and she was the most adorable girl I had ever known.
"I missed you more, Sweetie," I replied, poking her nose playfully.
Footsteps approached from the kitchen. At first, I thought it was Sophia, but my expression changed the moment I recognized them. Joanna.
"Jennifer, darling… why don't you help your mommy in the kitchen?" Joanna said gently.
Jennifer shook her head. "No. I want to play with Daddy," she said, hugging me tightly.
Joanna forced a smile but threw me a meaningful glance.
"How about you help Mommy first? Daddy needs to freshen up. Then we can play," I suggested.
"Okay," Jennifer said, a little reluctantly.
"Good girl." I kissed her cheek and gently put her down.
Once Jennifer disappeared into the kitchen, I walked out of the house. Joanna followed close behind.
"What is it? I just got back. Can't you give me a little air to brea—"
"Your daughter is interesting," Joanna cut me off. I'd known her long enough to expect her bluntness.
"What do you mean?" I asked, guarded.
"I'm not entirely sure yet… but I think she's special."
"Leave her alone," I hissed, cutting her off again. "She's just a normal, ordinary girl," I said—denying even the possibility.
"I can't persuade her," Joanna said, turning to look directly at me. "Isn't that interesting?"
"Maybe you're just getting old and weak," I replied, mocking her.
Joanna chuckled. "I want to bring her to our lab. Just to observe."
"No!" I said sharply.
"It's for her own good. So she can fully develop whatever ability she has. You know I'm right," Joanna said, calm and composed as ever.
Deep down, I knew she was right. If Jennifer had any potential, the organization's lab could enhance it. As a parent, I wanted what was best for her. But something in me pushed back—hard. Something deeper than logic.
"What do you think, Iggy? Aren't I right?" Joanna asked again.
I shook my head. "No… no…" I muttered, before looking her straight in the eye and saying firmly, "No."
A flicker of surprise crossed her face.
"You can use me however you want," I said, my voice steady. "But leave my wife and daughter out of it. Never—ever—try to bring them into the organization."
For the first time since I'd met Joanna, I stood up to her completely. Clear. Unshaken.
She stared at me for a long time, eyes locked with mine. I forced myself not to blink, holding her gaze with equal strength.
After a few tense minutes, she finally nodded.
"Okay. I'll keep my promise—as long as you keep yours."
I nodded in agreement.And for the first time… I felt like I had won.
-
Ten years later.
I stared at the white ceiling as it drifted past above me. I was lying on a gurney, being pushed through a long corridor by two paramedics. The wheels rattled beneath me, sharp against the floor.
-
"I want to claim your promise," Joanna said to me a week ago, as I sat across from her in her office."To use you however I want."
-
The bed jolted as it struck a hard surface, then passed through a pair of double-swinging doors. Cold air licked my skin.
-
"What do you want?" I had asked her, my tone flat and cold. Joanna responded with her signature fake smile.
-
Two masked faces appeared above me—surgical masks, hair caps, eyes barely visible. They loomed in my vision as the gurney slowed under the blinding OR lights.
-
"You've been one of our best executors," Joanna explained. "So, we've decided to exponentially enhance your abilities."
She paused before adding, "But I'll be straight with you—it's still an ongoing experiment."
-
"Ready, Iggy?" one of the masked men asked. I nodded slightly, my muscles already feeling heavy.
-
"It hasn't worked yet?" I had asked Joanna.
"It works," she replied. "The abilities have been enhanced—doubled, even tripled. But there are still side effects."
-
One of the men inserted a needle into my vein. I felt the cold liquid begin to flow through me—anesthesia.
-
"What kind of side effects?" I asked her.
"In some cases," she said calmly, "the enhancement doesn't stop."
"So… I'll die?" I asked.
"It's a possibility," she answered, almost gently.
"Why me? Is this punishment—for betraying you?"
"No, Iggy," she said. "That was a long time ago. I've forgiven you."
"Then why?"
"Because something big is coming. And we need powerful armies.We need you to be the most powerful among them—to lead."
Her voice was calm. Unshakable. Just like always.
-
The edges of my vision blurred. My body grew heavier with every passing second.
-
"Keep your promise," I said, the words thick on my tongue."Even after I die."
-
As I finally slipped into unconsciousness, I heard her voice one last time.
"Sure."