They Replaced Me... Until the Government Wanted Me

Chapter 11

My hand, holding the chopsticks, froze midair.

Lucas Parker peeled several shrimp for me and placed them in my bowl. His voice was gentle as he said, "We promised you a long time ago."

"But you know how busy Ethan and I have been with work."

I lowered my head, fighting back tears. After all these years, they still remembered.

Muffled, I replied, "This Saturday, I have to go out of town with Professor Knox. I probably won’t make it back in time."

Lucas continued peeling shrimp, the grease staining his slender fingers.

"Then we’ll go before Saturday. Come back early."

"We don’t have to go to Norway. You can see the aurora further north in the country too."

I wanted to refuse, but the words stuck in my throat.

Deep down, a stubborn flicker of hope refused to die.

So many years had passed, yet I could never forget that night.

The night Ethan and Lucas had booked tickets, promising to take me to see the Northern Lights by year’s end.

The night our parents were still alive, before Lily Thompson moved in, when my brothers still treated me with warmth.

That night was the last truly peaceful and happy one in twelve years.

I clung to that promise—not because I cared about Norway or the aurora.

I just missed the days when my parents and brothers still cherished me.

Without hesitation, Lucas wiped his hands and pulled out his phone, switching our tickets to Mohe for the next day.

After booking, he hesitated before patting my back.

"Paige, Lily will always be an outsider. Your brothers will always be your brothers."

My vision blurred. My hands trembled uncontrollably, and I couldn’t bring myself to look up.

For the first time in years, we shared a meal in quiet harmony.

For a fleeting moment, it almost felt like Lily’s four years here had been nothing but a bad dream.

Then, near the end of dinner, Ethan abruptly shifted the conversation.

"But people outside have their own agendas."

"Take Ryan Collins, for example. You should know what he’s after. Stay away from him."

I looked up, startled.

Ethan’s voice turned stern. "You must’ve heard—the medical research Mom and Dad were working on before the fire is about to resume."

"I reviewed the participant list. Ryan’s name is on it."

"He might be using you to extract the lost research data from you—the findings that burned with our parents. All for his own gain."

I couldn’t take it anymore. I shoved my chair back and stood.

"Ryan isn’t that kind of person."

Ethan’s feigned warmth vanished, his face darkening. "Paige Anderson, watch your tone! Do you think I’d ever harm you?"

Lucas stood and rested a hand on my shoulder, though his words echoed Ethan’s.

"Once that confidential research begins, there’s no telling how long it’ll last."

"Ryan’s probably just in it for the medical breakthroughs. The second he gets what he wants, he’ll bail."

"But if he drags you into it? The consequences would be unthinkable."

"Paige, remember what happened to Mom and Dad."

"Ryan’s an outsider. Ethan’s only looking out for you."