They Replaced Me... Until the Government Wanted Me

Chapter 22

How long has it been since someone last called me "An-An"?

I can't remember.

The others in our group took their leave first, sensing the tension.

Ryan Collins gave my shoulder a gentle pat. "Paige, I'll wait for you outside."

I nodded.

Turning around, I saw Ethan Parker and Lucas Parker hurrying toward me, their steps frantic. But when they were just two paces away, they halted, as if afraid to come any closer.

I met their gaze, silence stretching between us.

Finally, Ethan spoke, his voice rough. "How have you been... all these years?"

My tone was calm. "I've been fine."

Lucas struggled to contain his emotions, but the pain and regret in his eyes were unmistakable. "We know everything about Lily now."

His voice cracked. "An-An... I'm sorry. We failed you."

My heart remained still. "It's alright. It's all in the past."

Ethan's face trembled before he hesitantly asked, "Could we... maybe have a meal together?"

I shook my head. "No, I don't think so."

The hope in his eyes dimmed instantly.

Without lingering, I turned to leave.

Behind me, Ethan's voice, ragged with emotion, called out one last time. "I'm sorry."

My steps faltered slightly—but only for a moment. Then I walked out of the venue without looking back.

I returned to Northridge to visit my mentor, Professor Knox.

Twelve years had passed, and his hair was now completely white.

As we talked, he told me about the devastation and remorse Ethan and Lucas had endured after my departure.

Lucas had spiraled, ending up in the emergency room dozens of times due to alcohol poisoning.

Ethan, drowning in grief, threw himself into medical experiments and research at the institute. The relentless all-nighters and overwork took a toll on his health, leaving him increasingly frail.

As for Lily, she was cast out of the Parker family. Having grown accustomed to luxury, she refused to return to the orphanage. Eventually, she fell in with a reckless crowd. During a motorcycle race, she was involved in a horrific crash.

She barely survived—but lost a leg and suffered severe brain damage.

Now, no one knew where she was. She had become a wandering fool, lost to the streets. Whether she was alive or dead, no one cared to find out.

Hearing all this, I felt nothing but quiet detachment.

At the end of our conversation, Professor Knox sighed softly. "They’ve realized their mistakes. All these years... they’ve regretted it deeply."

He hesitated before asking, "Paige, have you ever thought about—"

I cut him off gently. "No. For me, it's over."

The rest of my life would be dedicated to pharmaceutical research.

As for my brothers—I didn’t hate them. But I had no intention of turning back.