Why Mia

Adeline Caldwell stood in the doorway of the study, her expression calm but calculating. Her eyes flicked briefly to the folder in Mia's hands before locking onto Alexander. There was no surprise, no panic—just a quiet confidence that sent a chill down Mia's spine.

"I've been expecting you," Adeline said coolly, her voice smooth, almost theatrical. "I knew it wouldn't be long before you'd come sniffing around my business. But I must admit, I didn't think you'd bring Mia into this."

Mia tensed, her grip on the folder tightening. It felt like the air had thickened around them, each word from Adeline carrying weight.

"How long have you been involved with Marco's father?" Alexander asked, his voice low but filled with an intensity that made the hairs on the back of Mia's neck stand up. His hand was still on the grip of his weapon, though he had yet to raise it. He was trying to gauge her, looking for any sign of weakness.

Adeline's lips curled into a small, knowing smile. "Longer than you can imagine. And as for Marco… I'm sure you've figured it out by now. He's just a pawn in a much bigger game. You, Alexander, and Mia are just... obstacles. Nothing more."

Mia's blood ran cold at the casual cruelty in Adeline's words. She glanced at Alexander, who was holding back his fury, his muscles tense as if he were ready to strike.

"Why Mia?" Mia's voice broke through the heavy silence, her heart hammering in her chest. "What does she have to do with this?"

Adeline looked at Mia, her smile faltering for just a moment before returning with renewed coldness. "Mia is special. She always has been. You see, her bloodline holds the key to something much bigger than you can comprehend. 'Project Paragon,' as Marco called it, isn't just about revenge or power. It's about creating something new—something... perfect."

Mia felt a sickening sensation twist in her stomach. She glanced at Alexander, who was now moving closer, stepping protectively in front of her.

Adeline continued, her eyes gleaming with a strange mixture of disdain and admiration. "But you wouldn't understand. It's not something a mere human can understand. It's evolution. It's about bringing about a new world order. A perfect, controlled world."

Alexander's jaw clenched, his voice harsh as he spoke. "What are you talking about? What does Mia have to do with any of this? What is 'Project Paragon'?"

Adeline stepped forward slowly, the sound of her heels clicking against the marble floor. "You wouldn't understand even if I told you," she said, almost pityingly. "But let me put it this way: Mia is the catalyst. She has the potential to unlock an entirely new level of genetic possibility. She was never just a pawn in Marco's game. She's the key to everything."

Mia's mind was spinning. She shook her head, trying to process what Adeline was saying. "You're saying... my bloodline? What does that mean?"

Adeline smiled, as if savoring the moment. "You see, Mia, your mother wasn't just a scientist. She was part of a larger project. A project that aimed to combine human genetics with something... more. And you, Mia, are the result. The product of a long chain of experiments that were meant to perfect humanity. You've been under the radar for years, but now, you're exactly what we need."

Mia's knees felt weak beneath her as the weight of Adeline's words settled into her mind. She felt sick. Betrayed. She had known something was wrong with her family, with her past, but hearing it out loud—hearing what Adeline believed her to be—it was almost too much to bear.

"Stop." Alexander's voice was firm, his tone cutting through the moment. He stepped closer to Mia, his arm protective around her shoulders. "You're lying. This is insane."

Adeline's smile grew wider, almost sinister. "You don't want to believe it, do you, Alexander? But the truth is, Mia's existence is far more important than either of you can imagine. Her abilities—her potential—could change the world."

"You'll never get away with this," Alexander growled, stepping in front of Mia as if to shield her from Adeline. "I'll take you down, and if you so much as lay a hand on her, I'll make sure you regret it."

Adeline took a step back, her eyes narrowing. "You can try, Alexander. But understand this—you're already too late. The people I've been working with are powerful, untouchable. You've been chasing ghosts, and now, they're about to strike. The war has already begun, and you're simply too small to stop it."

Mia felt a chill run through her body as Adeline's words sank in. The enemies they had been fighting were not just powerful—they were everywhere. Their reach was vast, their influence untouchable.

But Mia couldn't let fear control her. She looked at Alexander, who met her gaze, his expression set in a fierce determination. They had come this far. They weren't going to stop now.

"We'll stop you," Mia said, her voice stronger than she felt. "You and your project. We'll make sure it never sees the light of day."

Adeline laughed softly, as if Mia's words were a mere jest. "You really think you can change things? The world is already changing, Mia. And soon, you'll see that there's no place for you and Alexander in it. You're nothing but pawns in a much bigger game."

Before Alexander could respond, the sound of footsteps echoed through the hallway, growing louder and closer.

Adeline's gaze flicked toward the door, her expression shifting from amusement to something more calculating. "Looks like our time's up," she said coolly.

"Stay close," Alexander whispered to Mia, his eyes scanning the room.