The Name That Shouldn’t Exist

The paper in Evelyn's hands felt heavier than it should. Her father's name—written in ink, tucked away in a file that was never meant to be found. The weight of it pressed against her chest like a ghost she had been running from for years.

Theo sat across from her, watching, waiting. He wasn't the type to push, but she knew he wanted answers just as much as she did.

She swallowed hard. "My father died when I was eight, Theo. He was a history professor, not…" She gestured toward the paper. "…not whatever this is."

Theo leaned forward, his elbows on the table. "Then why is his name in classified documents connected to Marcus Vance?"

Evelyn shook her head. "I don't know. I thought I knew everything about him, but if he was involved in this—" She exhaled sharply. "It means my whole life has been a lie."

Theo's voice was steady. "Then we find out the truth."

She looked up at him, her throat tightening. "And what if I don't want to know?"

His gaze softened in a way that made her chest ache. "Then we stop. If you don't want to go further, Evelyn, we walk away."

The offer was there—genuine, unwavering. But she knew herself. She wouldn't walk away.

Her fingers curled around the edge of the paper. "We go to the next lead."

Theo nodded, no hesitation. "Then we start with Marcus Vance."

---

Back to the Source

The safe house was quiet as Evelyn and Theo moved through the narrow halls toward the back room where they had left Marcus Vance. The old doctor was sitting at a desk, flipping through a file when they entered.

Vance glanced up, unsurprised. "I was wondering when you'd come back."

Evelyn set the paper down in front of him. "Explain this."

Vance studied the name carefully before sighing. "I was hoping you wouldn't find this."

Theo crossed his arms. "Too late for that."

Vance hesitated, then gestured for them to sit. "Your father was not just a professor, Evelyn. He was involved in something much bigger—something that got him killed."

Evelyn's breath caught. "Killed?"

Vance nodded grimly. "It wasn't an accident."

Her stomach churned. "You're saying someone murdered him?"

Vance's eyes darkened. "Yes. And it wasn't just anyone—it was the same people who are hunting you now."

Theo's posture stiffened. "Who?"

Vance's voice was barely above a whisper. "The Foundation."

The room fell silent.

Evelyn had never heard of them, but the way Vance said it—like the name itself was dangerous—sent a chill down her spine.

Theo's expression remained unreadable. "What does the Foundation want?"

Vance looked at Evelyn. "They want what your father was protecting."

Evelyn's hands clenched. "Which is?"

Vance sighed. "A research project. Your father was one of the lead researchers on something called the Veritas Project."

Theo frowned. "Veritas means 'truth.'"

Vance nodded. "Exactly. It was an experiment designed to uncover hidden truths—things governments and organizations wanted buried."

Evelyn's heart pounded. "And my father was part of it?"

Vance met her gaze. "He wasn't just part of it. He was the key to everything."

---

A Moment in the Dark

Later that night, Evelyn sat outside on the small balcony of the safe house, the cool air brushing against her skin. The world felt heavier now, like the truth had shifted the very ground beneath her.

She heard footsteps behind her. She didn't need to turn to know it was Theo.

He stood beside her, silent for a moment before speaking. "You should sleep."

She let out a dry laugh. "Yeah, because that's gonna happen."

Theo leaned against the railing, watching her carefully. "I meant what I said earlier. If this is too much—"

"I can walk away?" she finished for him. She shook her head. "You know I won't."

Theo was quiet for a beat. Then, in a voice softer than before, he said, "I know."

Something about the way he said it made her chest ache.

Evelyn turned to look at him. "Why do you care so much?"

Theo met her gaze, his expression unreadable at first. But then, something shifted.

"Because it's you."

The words were simple, but they held weight. And for the first time in a long time, Evelyn felt something other than fear.

She felt safe.

---

End of Chapter 18