Part 35 – The Truth About the First Dreamer

Maya's heart pounded as she processed Kael's words. "You mean to say… the first dreamer is still alive?"

Kael chuckled darkly. "Oh, he's very much alive."

Arjun frowned. "Who is it, then? If it's not Elias, then who?"

Kael turned his gaze toward him, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "Dr. Varman."

The words hit like a thunderclap.

Maya's breath caught. "What?"

Kael nodded. "Arjun, your father was the very first dreamer. The one who started it all. He and I were associates… We worked together on this project long before you were even born."

Arjun took a step back. "That's a lie."

Kael raised an eyebrow. "Is it? Tell me, Arjun, has your father ever told you everything about his past? About his research? About how he found you?"

Arjun's fists clenched, his jaw tightening.

Maya felt the air shift. Something was wrong.

Her eyes flicked to Aditya—who had been too silent. She noticed the stiffness in his shoulders, the way his hands were curled into fists.

Then it hit her.

Aditya knew.

She took a step toward him. "You knew about this… didn't you?"

Aditya's eyes flickered with something unreadable before he let out a sigh. "I was hoping we wouldn't have to get to this point."

Maya felt her blood run cold. "You lied to us."

Aditya finally looked up, his expression unreadable. "I had to."

Arjun glared. "And your sister? Was she even real?"

Aditya hesitated.

Maya gasped. "She wasn't, was she?"

Aditya exhaled, rubbing a hand down his face. "She was real… but not in the way I told you. She wasn't trying to help me—she was part of the project. She died because she got too close to the truth."

Maya's stomach churned. They had been played.

Kael smirked. "Finally catching on?"

Arjun turned back to Kael, his eyes burning with rage. "Where is my father?"

Kael's smirk widened. "That's the right question." He leaned in, voice dropping to a whisper. "You were never supposed to find me. I was leading you to him."

A chill settled over them.

Maya's pulse thundered in her ears. They weren't chasing answers. They were being led straight into a trap.