Shattered Identify

Mia felt like the ground beneath her had disappeared. Her heart pounded, her breath shallow. Adopted? No—this had to be a mistake.

Alexander placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Mia, take a deep breath."

But how could she? Her entire identity had just been thrown into question.

She shook her head. "No, my parents—David and Margaret Kingston—they raised me. They love me. This can't be real."

Victor, still scanning the files, hesitated. "Mia, there's more."

She turned to him, eyes wide with fear and anger. "More?"

Victor clicked another document open. A classified report from a now-defunct research facility called Project Genesis.

The title read:

SUBJECT: EXPERIMENTAL GENETIC ENHANCEMENT – "PARAGON" CANDIDATE

Mia's hands trembled as she reached for the screen. "That's me," she whispered.

Victor nodded grimly. "Dr. Elias Vaughn wasn't just a geneticist, Mia. He was part of a government project—one that involved you from birth."

Alexander's voice was cold. "Explain. Now."

Victor exhaled. "Project Genesis was an experimental program focused on genetic engineering. The goal was to create individuals with enhanced cognitive and physical abilities—perfect leaders, warriors, strategists. Only a few children were ever selected… and Mia, you were one of them."

Mia staggered back. "No. That's insane."

But Victor shook his head. "It's all here, Mia. Your real parents—Elias and Evelyn Vaughn—were leading researchers. When the project got shut down, you were taken and placed with the Kingstons to protect you from those who might use you."

Mia's head spun. "So… they lied to me. My whole life has been a lie."

Alexander stepped in front of her, gently gripping her arms. "Mia, listen to me. This doesn't change who you are. It doesn't change the love your parents gave you, or the person you've become."

Tears welled in her eyes. "But it changes everything else."

Victor continued, "And there's one more thing."

Mia barely had the strength to listen.

Victor's voice was serious. "Dr. Elias Vaughn… is still alive."

Mia's breath caught. "What?"

Victor clicked on a video file, and the screen flickered to life.

A dimly lit room. A frail but determined man with gray hair and sharp eyes.

"My daughter," the man spoke. "If you are seeing this… then I have failed in keeping you hidden."

Mia covered her mouth, a strangled sound escaping her lips.

"My name is Elias Vaughn, and the truth has been kept from you for far too long."