Page 15 of Human Reform
Her fingers tentatively traced one of the scars near my temple.“Because what?”
The gentle touch sent electricity through me, and I caught her hand in mine.
“Because when I’m with you, everything makes more sense.Even when it shouldn’t.”
A smile tugged at her lips.“That might be the most romantic thing anyone’s ever said to me.”
“I wasn’t trying to be romantic,” I replied honestly.
Her laugh then—genuine and unguarded—was the most beautiful sound I’d ever heard.
“That’s why it worked,” she said, her hand still in mine.
The breeze stirred her ponytail, carrying her scent to me—that intoxicating mixture of lavender and something uniquely her.I wanted to pull her closer again, to memorize every detail about her.
Instead, I made a silent vow.I would protect her.I would keep her safe.I would do anything to ensure she stayed—not as a prisoner but because she wanted to.And I would help her find redemption because in doing so, perhaps I’d find my own.
“We should head back before someone sends out a search party,” I said reluctantly, though I made no move to stand.
She nodded but didn’t pull away, either.“In a minute.”
And so we sat, watching the light dance across the silver waters, her hand still in mine—a connection I had no intention of ever breaking.
The weight of her fingers intertwined with mine felt right in a way I couldn’t articulate.Everything about her seemed to fill gaps in my existence I hadn’t recognized until now.
When we finally rose from the bench, I kept her hand in mine as we walked the winding path back toward the colony.The humid breeze carried the scent of night-blooming flowers that only opened as the twin suns began their descent.
“I have something to show you,” I told her, guiding her past the medical bay and toward a nearby structure.
“Another surprise?”Her eyebrow arched, but I saw a playfulness behind her wariness now.
I entered the access code to the private suite—the one Olivia had occupied when she first arrived on Planet Alpha.The door slid open to reveal a space far more comfortable than the sterile recovery room.A large, reinforced window overlooked the colony and jungle beyond, a plush bed dominated one wall, and the living area had actual furniture rather than medical equipment.
“Your upgraded accommodations,” I announced, watching her face for reactions.“I thought you might appreciate something more… comfortable.”
Alora stepped inside, her gray eyes widening as she took in the space.“This is… definitely an improvement.”
She ran her fingers along the back of a cushioned chair and then turned to face me.“Though I’m still locked up.Aren’t I?”Her voice held no accusation, just a statement of fact.
Something tightened in my chest.“For now,” I admitted.“It’s what I promised when we decided to bring you here.”
“And how, exactly, did you decide I was the one to bring here?”She crossed her arms over her chest, her freckles standing out against her pale skin in the room’s warm light.
I moved closer, drawn to her like gravity.“I researched extensively to find the right person to help us.When I discovered you were the original architect of the wartime code, I knew you were the only one who could help us.”I paused, memorizing the way her ponytail draped over her shoulder.“Plus, you’re brilliant.And leaving CyberEvolution the way you did showed bravery and resilience.”
“Well, I don’t agree with your recruitment methods,” she said, her lips curving into a stubborn line.
“Would you have come if we’d peacefully asked?”I challenged.
She looked away.“No.”
“That’s why we made the choice we did.”I moved closer still until I felt the warmth radiating from her body.“But that doesn’t make it right.We should have given you a choice.And for that, I’m truly sorry.”
The apology felt foreign on my tongue but necessary—right.I was learning.
“I’ll accept that,” she said, though her tone suggested it wasn’t a complete forgiveness.“But I still don’t like being locked up.”
I sat on the edge of her new bed and patted the space beside me.After a moment’s hesitation, she joined me, the mattress dipping slightly under our combined weight.
