They Replaced Me... Until the Government Wanted Me

Chapter 9

Lucas Parker helped Lily Thompson to her feet, his face dark with anger.

The crowd around them grew thicker.

Ryan Collins, who had been browsing the shelves, hurried over at the commotion. His gaze flicked to my laptop screen, then to my expression, and understanding dawned instantly.

"Your thesis was deleted?!"

Ethan Parker's furious expression froze mid-sentence. He strode forward and stared at my laptop.

After a long pause, he frowned. "That's impossible. Lily wouldn’t—"

"Let's go." I cut him off, turning calmly to Ryan.

It was strange.

I should have been furious. I should have lost control, screamed at Lily like I had countless times before—maybe even lashed out physically.

And then, like always, I would have erupted into another explosive argument with Ethan and Lucas over their blatant favoritism toward Lily.

But this time, I just wanted to leave.

I had fought with them for four years.

Four years of the same cycle, the same outcome.

Now, I didn’t want to fight anymore.

There were only a few days left before I left for good.

I picked up my laptop and walked out of the library.

Behind me, Ethan followed.

His voice, as indifferent as ever, carried a hint of something unfamiliar—perhaps discomfort.

"This thesis is under my supervision. I’ll give you an extra week."

I replied flatly, "No need."

I didn’t have another week.

I continued down the hallway.

Then, for some inexplicable reason, Ethan—who had barely spared me a word in years—suddenly caught up and grabbed my arm.

"Paige, what’s… what’s wrong with you lately?"

His voice held a trace of unease.

But I didn’t turn around.

I simply reached out and gently pushed his hand away.

As I stepped into the elevator, Lucas appeared, blocking the door.

His eyes fell on my laptop, his tone awkward. "Give it to me."

"I’ll find time in a few days to recover the files."

He had studied computer science and now ran a tech company.

Something pricked at my chest.

Over the years, after Lily arrived, it had always been Ethan who argued with me, who lost his temper and blamed me.

Lucas was quiet, naturally gentle—our clashes had been rare.

I stayed silent, meeting his gaze.

Then he spoke again. "Lily’s just young."

"If she really did delete it, she didn’t mean it."

So, was he afraid I’d resent Lily? That in a fit of rage, I’d push her down the stairs again?

For a moment, I’d almost believed he was finally, for once, on my side.

The corner of my mouth twitched in bitter amusement.

I reached out and pressed the elevator’s close button.

The heart that had once seethed with resentment now lay still, like stagnant water undisturbed by even the faintest ripple.

Strangely, I didn’t feel hurt anymore.

As the doors slid shut, I murmured, "It’s fine. Don’t bother."

Lucas lunged forward, as if to stop the doors—but it was too late.

In that final glimpse, I thought I saw panic flicker in his eyes.

A fleeting image, gone the moment the elevator sealed shut.

Probably just my imagination.