Moreover, Wilfred was risking his life to escape with her. He would not lie to her, but this only confirmed that she was Ivy. Any remaining illusions were shattered. She was Micah's sister, the Pharaoh's daughter. The Yaren tribe had committed so many atrocities, and they were enemies of Nash and his people.At this moment, she felt a lump in her throat, unable to describe her emotions."Ivy, I didn't want to tell you all this, but I couldn't let you remain trapped in someone else's memories," Wilfred said, gently stroking her head. He truly cared for her and only wanted the best for her, even if her heart belonged to Nash. For him, her well-being was all that mattered.Nina suddenly remembered the arguments she had with Nash about Zac. Realizing now that Zac never existed. It was either a figment of her imagination or someone else's memory.This realization was crushing. It wasn't empathy, it felt like a mental illness!Covering her face with her hands, tears streamed down her
Nash didn't respond immediately. After a few seconds, he slowly said, "This is Nina's decision."Ignoring Nash, Micah walked over to the Pharaoh. While the Pharaoh was unconscious, Micah removed the mask from his face, revealing a long scar that had been hidden for years. This scar, which Micah had only seen once as a child, was the reason the Pharaoh always wore a mask in public.Micah had gathered the tribe's best medical minds and laboratory experts. His only goal now was to wake the Pharaoh as soon as possible. Three hours later, the Pharaoh regained consciousness. He immediately noticed the absence of his mask and the familiar weight it usually imparted on his face."Where is Seth?" the Pharaoh roared in anger. He had trusted Seth completely, and now Seth had betrayed him and even removed his mask.Micah scoffed softly. "You still want to see Seth? Are you really so short on reliable people?"The Pharaoh followed the voice, finally seeing Micah safe and sound, and let o
"You’re very weak right now. I don't know what drugs Seth used on you, but you've spent years in the lab. You'll have to deal with your own health." Micah threw out these words and turned to leave."But wait! You still haven't told me where Nina is," the Pharaoh called after him, his heart heavy with worry. "Did something happen to her?"Micah paused, his face unreadable. "Do you remember Wilfred?"The Pharaoh nodded gravely. "Of course. He was my most successful creation."Wilfred had been turned into a healer by the Pharaoh. Although Wilfred had escaped, the Pharaoh had continually searched for him, despite the constant warfare that limited his resources.The Pharaoh's brows furrowed. "Is Wilfred after Ivy now? And what about the girl pretending to be Ivy?""You should be glad Ivy is different from you. She has managed to survive. When Seth started his rebellion, Wilfred took Ivy and fled," Micah replied.Now that it was clear Nina was Ivy, Micah had started calling her by her
Nina was the first to notice the figure standing at the entrance. The sunset glow bathed him in a golden light, making him look radiant. It was Scott!Instinctively, Nina pushed away Wilfred and tried to walk towards Scott, but her legs felt like they were made of lead."Scott," she murmured. Wilfred stayed close to her, ready to catch her if she stumbled.Scott noticed Nina too. He had overheard someone mentioning her to Nash over the phone and had followed the directions to find her. Seeing her now, she matched the image he had in his mind. She was beautiful. Bits and pieces of memories flitted through his mind, but he couldn’t quite grasp them.Nina saw the clarity in Scott’s eyes, and memories of searching for him in the slave camp flashed back. Scott had lost his past.Nina turned to Wilfred. "Wilfred, can you help him remember his memories?"If a person lost their past, their entire life would feel empty. Nina believed it was cruel for Scott to forget everything, includin
"Call me Nina," she said.Before, it was just a name, and she had not spent much time with Wilfred. She did not know that Ivy was the Pharaoh's daughter's name. Now that she knew, a sense of powerlessness overwhelmed her."I've always called you Ivy. From the moment I met you, you were Ivy. Even though you're Nina now, Ivy, no one can change your past. We are born with many things beyond our control, but we must strive to understand them fully," Wilfred said, looking at her.Understand fully? Nina wanted to laugh but could not."I know about the Pharaoh and his followers—how they killed, burned, and looted, and how he turned you into this! He did it all for his own selfish desires."The scenes Nina had witnessed played in her mind like movie clips, one after another. She could not imagine how she had survived in the Yaren tribe as Ivy."I'm tired, Wilfred. I want to sleep. When Nash comes back, wake me up." She turned over and lay back on the camp bed.Wilfred stayed by her side
Nina couldn't bring herself to say what she felt, but Nash understood.He cupped Nina's face and kissed her deeply, as if trying to merge her into his own body. But at the critical moment, he pulled away."Rest here for a few days. I'll arrange everything for your departure.""Alright," Nina replied, breathless, watching Nash leave the tent.Nash had further preparations to make. Deploying forces for Nina's sake had convinced the Yaren tribe to surrender, but it had also led to disciplinary action against him. He was now on three days' suspension.Unable to explain everything to Nina himself, Nash sent James to update her on the situation.Nina understood. However, she hadn't seen Scarlett yet."Where's Scarlett?" she asked instinctively."She's in another tent, Ms. Nina. Don't worry, she's doing well. Captain has enlisted her as a soldier to help her regain some of her memories through muscle memory training.""Take me to her.""Of course," James said, leading the way.With
Nina shook her head. "You shouldn’t take me out to relax, you have your own work to do. I can't keep affecting you."Nash was confined because of her, and she believed he should stay with his unit. They had plenty of time in the future."Foolish girl, how could you be a burden? It's me... I'm sorry. I'm still not strong enough, still too negligent. I failed to protect you, that's why you got hurt."There was a glint in Nash's eyes, and his voice grew hoarse with emotion.It pained Nina to see Nash apologizing. She put her hand on his lips. "Don't say that. I understand. I'll take Scott and Scarlett back."To her surprise, neither Scarlett nor Scott wanted to leave. Scarlett was thriving as a soldier, enjoying her new life. Scott found a sense of peace around Nina, even with their limited interactions.Respecting their wishes was essential, but Nina felt it necessary to insist with Scott. She approached him to explain."I don't know why you don't want to go back, but you have fam
"This isn't my territory. I don't make the rules," Nina replied hoarsely, pursing her lips.She understood Wilfred's feelings and intentions, but she saw him only as a friend."Then I'll go talk to Nash," Wilfred said earnestly, waving at Nina before heading off to find Nash.In a few minutes, he found Nash in his tent, standing in front of a map. Dressed in his military uniform, Nash exuded an air of authority that set him apart. It was not just the uniform. Nash had an inherent quality that made it clear why Nina was so captivated by him.Wilfred hesitated for a moment before approaching Nash. "Nina has a problem. You know that, right?"Nash paused, lowering his marker, and met Wilfred's gaze. Though he said nothing, his intense, dark eyes spoke volumes."It seems you do," Wilfred observed."Yes," Nash finally replied.Wilfred continued, "She likely experienced strong empathy in the slave camp, absorbing others' pain and suffering until she believed their experiences were her