Page 60 of Catalyst

“Your father has averystrong sense of justice… Because of that, he believes the world exists in black and white.” Shin gestured with his hand as he spoke. “I’ve always believed that gray exists and that no matter how hard you try, that black-and-white divide never will.”

I nodded before motioning for him to continue.

“Because of that, I refused to tell the public that every action I took was squeaky clean.” His voice dropped to an almost conspiratorial whisper. “I don’t lie. And sometimes, saving lives involved dirty, ugly choices, ones I would apologize for but wouldn’t sweep under the rug.” He tapped the photo with his pointer finger. “In that picture, I saved twenty people from a burning building.”

“Wow, that’s–”

“Ahht, I’m not done speaking.”

I placed my hands up in a placating gesture, allowing Shin to continue.

“There were five people who died, and Iknewif I wasted even a moment trying to save them–which would have been impossible. That there would have been more casualties… But, that line of thinking wasvillainous.” Shin sounded calm, but the way his face twisted told me he was still pissed about thesituation. “From that moment on, your father didn’t think I could be a hero… so he made sure the world saw me as the villain.”

My eyes nearly bugged out of my head as I stared at Shin, my ears ringing from the metaphorical bomb he’d just detonated. My dad had always talked about Vexxas like he was some sort of rabid animal, something meant to be feared and avoided. But now, hearing Shin’s side of the story and seeing the proof made my head spin.

“Why would he do that?” I whispered.

“Calista, the heroing world has alotof shady areas. Ones that make the life of a villain seem like the moral path. And while I can’t explain everything, I can say: I’m glad you’re away from the rest of your family–even if it hurts.”

“I–why?”

Even if my family wasn’t perfect, they were still just that. And, if Shin was a family man, wouldn’t he want me to be close to my kin?

“Because I know for a fact that your father will do anything to get what he wants.”

Chapter 19

Shin

My knees ached against the wooden floor as I kneeled before the photos of Sulien and his mother, Eun. My eyes closed as I sunk my teeth into my lower lip, doing my best not to come undone at the knowledge that I had survived everyone I’d ever loved.

My chest constricted as I tried to breathe, and though I wanted to keep my head bowed for prayer, today, that weight seemed too heavy to bear alone. I apologized to my loved ones for being rude as I tipped my head back, trying to rationalize howthiswas what my life had become.

For over two decades, the Seos and Voltarises had been mortal enemies. It was the way Flynn Voltaris had decided the world should work and what America’s top hero said went. That alone wouldn’t have been too bad. Flynn’s hubris was bound to be his undoing, and that made him less than worthy of being my adversary. Then, he’d entered into an arranged marriagewith Ruby. Between their endless pockets and boundless connections, they controlled everything–hospitals, universities, banks, even grocery stores, andthatwas what made the life of a villain a hard one.

When Sulien said he had started dating the youngest Voltaris, I was apprehensive, to say the least. I tried to talk sense into him, but my boy was stubborn. And if I could go back in time, I would have been more supportive of the relationship. If I had been more enthusiastic about their courtship, would he have come over more?

Sulien was busy, and I was partially to blame.

I’d put a lot of weight on his shoulders with my diagnosis, but I always told him he didn’t have to help. Unfortunately, my boy was a hero at heart, and I needed help. Despite the fact that Gianna could have paid for my treatments, she refused. She also cutmysalary; I’d been lucky that she let me continue living here.

I’d told Sulien all of that in hopes that he’d understand why I wasn’t going to pursue treatment. I was going to let the cancer overtake me; that way, I wouldn’t burden my son. But he refused.

For years, he was all work and no play. That was untilshecame along. Thanks to Callie’s last name, I didn’t approve of their relationship, and I’d made that known. Her father had destroyed the integrity of the heroing career, making it nothing more than a show for the public. But I should have trusted Sulien’s judgment because Callie wasn’t like her father. She seemed blissfully unaware of the seedy underside of heroing, the one her father had all but pioneered. And, just as my son had promised, she waskind.

Since we had spoken on Sunday, she’d come over every day to spend time with me. The visits never seemed premeditated. Instead, she’d call me and ask if I was busy. Even if I had been inthe middle of something, I would have said I was free just to see her.

I’d always wanted a daughter, and while my bond with Callie wasn’t quite that, I couldn’t thank Sulien enough for putting her in my life. If given the choice, I’d rather have him, but it wasn’t for me to decide who lived or died, and it was just like him to make sure I hadsomeoneto hold on to.

I heaved in a breath, one so deep it hurt my chest. Swallowing hard, I looked back down. From the corner of my eyes, I spotted my phone, and that’s when I realized I’d yet to receive my daily call from Callie.

My gaze stayed trained on the phone as if that alone would make her call. After a moment of silence, I reached for the device and dialed her number.

She’d added herself to my contacts, but I’d never liked using that feature of my phone. If someone was important to you, remembering the seven numbers required to reach them was nothing.

I held my breath as I placed the phone to my ear, counting each melodic trill as if the speed at which she answered would give me information she herself wouldn’t.

Once… Twice… The line clicked just as the third ring started.

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