Present Day

Helena woke up from the cold floor of her penthouse balcony, her eyes fluttered to open from the bright sun light. She covered her eyes with her hand from the sunlight and lean against the wall trying to get a grip of herself. The empty wine bottle from last night its a prove why she is experiencing a massive headache on top of the alcohol she drank with Raymond.

She got up and stretch her waist and neck before going in to the kitchen to get a glass of water and turning the power button on her coffee maker and brewed herself a fresh pot of coffee, she has a habit of not eating breakfast, and only drink a cup of coffee to make up for it. Her eating disorder was not as bad as it was on her teenage years, even so, she still going through with it.

On the kitchen counter, Helena fiddled with her phone contemplating to call the number she hasn't call in about 12 months. She tried not to relieve the incident happened 2 years ago, it has caused her so much, her mental health and her friendship especially. That is part of the reason why she wanted out from The Cabal, she thought living normal life without putting a mask on will be a good decision, but she knows better than that. The Cabal will never let her off.

She keeps looking at the phone and pursed her lip, a decision has to be made. The sky is getting gloomy, it has been awhile since the city gets any rain. She hated rain the most, it triggers too many unpleasant memories she been trying to ward off ever since, she sat in the bar stool chair and pressed the number on her speed dial.

After three rings the phone is connected.

"Are you ready to do this" the woman voice calm as a water on the other side of the line.

Helena remain quiet for few seconds before letting out a small sigh.

"Yes! Lets do this"

"Meet me in 3 days, same place" the woman hang up.

She placed her phone back and contemplate for a little bit, she needed to embrace her identity, Lorenzo is right, she will never be normal, all she can do is move on, instead of craving for the normal life, she will create her own normal life even if her mercenary life is over, she can still work for The Cabal in the lab, that is almost normal. The Cabal will not let her go due to so many toxins and bio weapon she created for them, perhaps compromising its the best for everyone to get win win situations. She looked at her watch and she needs to get ready to the HQ to make it clear to Lorenzo of what she wants.

She walked to her bathroom and took a long shower getting rid of the alcohol stench from last night and looked at herself in the mirror and stare right into her odd color pupil. Grabbing all the contact lenses inside the boxes and case inside the cabinet, she threw them in the garbage can next to her. Its time to embrace everything, she needs too, she will train herself to embrace her new normal.

Today is the day she will be a new woman, she is no longer "Lilith", but she is Dr. Helena Lee(PHD). Lorenzo can stick up his A** if he refuses, better than marrying the log Cade Anderson, he has a personality of a log. she cringe thinking of marrying that kind of person.

***

"I made up my mind, i wont be marrying that Anderson heir" she flipped the pages of the book nonchalantly.

"You don't wear your contact lenses today" Lorenzo stares at her with a puzzle expression.

"I wont be leaving The Cabal, however i wont be the gun for hire anymore, ill stay at the lab, and i wont be wearing my contact lenses from now on, this is me! I will embrace my life from now. Tell Chain of Command, me work in the ;ab or me off the grid, they can try to hunt me, but i know how The Cabal operates, and believe me, they wont stand a chance." She fight his stares showing her determination. She wont back down this time.

Lorenzo lips curved forming a small smile, he can see something is change within her, she is almost like the Helena from 2 years ago, full of life and vigor.

"Well, what about the old master"

"I will deal with that old fox and his grandson, that secretary is not bad, make that Old Fox hired one of our level 3 Agent to train her in hand in hand combat, she will be able to at least fend for herself without dying not trying" she played with her finger looking bored whenever she thought of Cade, she felt nauseated, what a boring personality as a man.

"What if he refuse" Lorenzo tapped his fingers on the table.

"He wont, no one ever refuse me, i plan this meticulously, that old fox wanted to control hi grandson, i will let him know the best way to do it is to let them be together" she smirked.

The rain finally reach the end of the city where the HQ located, Helena saw the heavy rain and closes her eyes before taking a deep breathe, she hated rain. Her mind started trailing on the incident. Lorenzo knows rain triggers certain unwanted memories, but Helena seem to have it all under control, she opened her eyes and her expressions seems normal, not pale like she usually is.

Despite her fingers slightly tremble, she is doing a great job taking control of her emotions.

Its time to face her demon, and also its time to move on from that man. He is an old story, his life and hers are not meant to collide anymore, he does not fit to be in this type of world. The rain looks like it wont stop anytime soon, she then lift her head and demand

"I can work here at HQ"

Lorenzo's expression stunned, he has been trying to make her stay at the country for years, and she has never settled down, especially not in Orchid city or Hibiscus city.

Now she also willingly not leaving The Cabal, this is a great idea for him.

He was worried when she decided to accept the marriage proposal, now seeing her decided against it he knows something has change within these past few weeks, but whatever it is, it seems like she is slowly back to her old self, he can let her retire as an agent and continue her work. The higher ups will definitely compromise knowing she will still contributing her works at the lab.

After all she has brilliantly created so many things in the lab, be it a poison, an antidote and even a memory wipe serum. Her exceptional talent will be a waste if she decided to detach from the cabal and work independently.

"Fine, starts in a month or two, take leaves and inform your crew of your retirement as an agent " he then motion her to leave his office.

"mercenary" she corrected him.

He just gave her a small humph.

Helena turn the doorknob and looked back briefly

"Thank you papa, for everything" she smiled, its one of the sincere smile she has.

Lorenzo was taken a back by the words. His eyes redden, indeed, he love her like his own daughter.

After she left, he closes his eyes, he had been too protective of her, even when he knows she can handle the life well. The protectiveness in him always making him rushed to think she might need someone to protect her when she is the protector of her own self.

The incident before really hurt her, he failed her as well when he has no authority to stop it.

'Daryl..you should not have done that' he uttered.