They Replaced Me... Until the Government Wanted Me

Chapter 13

The day I officially prepared to enter the Confidential Research Institute was my third day in the southern city.

At noon, Director Zhao of the institute took us all out for a meal.

After several rounds of drinks, everyone was a little tipsy.

By the end, many of those seated around the table had reddened eyes.

Director Zhao told us to make one last call to our loved ones, then said solemnly:

"If you're afraid or reluctant, it's not too late to back out now."

Beside me, people began pulling out their phones to dial, followed by the occasional sound of muffled sobs.

I sat in silence for a long time before finally taking out my phone and opening the messaging app.

A red notification dot glowed over the social feed.

I tapped it and saw that Lucas Parker had updated his status.

He and the others had already arrived in Norway with Lily Thompson.

In the photo, the sky was streaked with dazzling, colorful lights, like a giant overturned palette.

The Northern Lights illuminated the snowy night as bright as day.

Lily was bundled up in a thick white down jacket, a bright red scarf wrapped snugly around her.

She turned back in the endless snowfield, her eyes crinkling with laughter.

That red scarf—it was the one Lucas had knitted for me himself when I was ten.

Later, when Lily first came to the northern city, she said she couldn’t stand the cold.

So Lucas asked me to give the scarf to her, promising he’d make me a bigger one next time.

Now, four years had passed, and he’d never mentioned it again.

Director Zhao’s voice pulled me from my thoughts. "Paige, make your call."

"After this, who knows how many years it’ll be before you get another chance."

My fingers clenched around the phone, knuckles whitening.

After a long pause, I finally dialed.

But the voice that answered was Lily’s, bright and cheerful. "Hey sis, what’s up?"

My voice came out hoarse. "Where are they?"

Lily chirped back, "Oh, you mean the guys?"

"They told me to answer. Said they’re too busy to talk. If you need something, just tell me!"

Ethan’s raised voice carried through the line. "Turn off the phone and come here."

Lily’s tone was laced with laughter—feigning innocence, but too young to fully hide the taunting smugness beneath.

"Sis, what exactly did you need? I can pass it along for you."

Slowly, my heart settled into stillness. At last, I felt no more lingering attachments.

"Nothing," I said flatly.

Then I ended the call.

Once everyone had finished their calls and the meal was over, we entered the institute.

A single door stood between us and the outside world—an irrevocable divide.

I removed my SIM card, snapped it in half, and tossed it into the trash.

Then I stepped through the door without looking back.