Chapter 14 · Fine. Here's the other option

"Fine. Here's the other option." His voice cracked. "I walk away. The vault purges. Your mother disappears for good. Marlow gets the reset he wants. You lose your name, and I get to keep every memory of the woman I failed. Is that what you want?"

The words struck harder than the alarm.

The woman I failed.

My pulse kicked. "Don't say things like that if you only want me to pick up your seal."

"I'm not asking you to save me."

"You put it in my hand."

"I'm asking you to decide whether my life is worth the evidence."

"That's worse."

"I know."

The timer hit 00:29.

The copy moved.

Adrian caught her wrist before she reached the main console. She twisted fast and drove her elbow into his ribs.

He grunted but held on.

"You have his strength," I said.

"I have his memories," she said. "The useful ones."

She kicked his knee.

Adrian dropped to one leg. The mark between us flashed bright. Pain ripped through my thigh at the same time.

"Get off him!" I shouted.

The copy looked at me. "You still think he can be saved."

"I think you talk too much.