The flash drive was taking longer to decrypt than Theo had expected. He had been at it for hours, his fingers moving methodically over the keyboard, eyes narrowed in concentration.
Evelyn sat curled up on the couch, the notebook still in her hands, but she had stopped reading a while ago. Her mind was a storm of thoughts—her father's hidden files, the Veritas Project, the truth lurking just out of reach.
And Theo.
She watched him from the corner of her eye, the glow of the screen casting sharp shadows across his face. He always looked so composed, so in control. But the tiny crease between his brows told her he wasn't as unaffected as he wanted to appear.
She sighed. "How long do you think this will take?"
Theo didn't look up. "Could be minutes. Could be hours. The encryption is layered."
Evelyn groaned, stretching her legs out. "Well, that's just fantastic."
Theo smirked. "Patience, Carter."
She shot him a glare. "Easy for you to say. You actually understand all this tech nonsense. I'm just sitting here, slowly spiraling."
Theo chuckled, shaking his head. "You're not spiraling."
Evelyn tilted her head. "Oh? Then what do you call obsessively staring at my father's notebook, hoping for some magical answer to appear?"
"Thinking."
She rolled her eyes. "Right. Because that's so much healthier."
Theo leaned back in his chair, studying her. "You always deflect with sarcasm when you're overwhelmed."
Evelyn's lips parted slightly. "I do not."
His smirk deepened. "You absolutely do."
She threw a pillow at him. Theo caught it with one hand, completely unfazed.
Evelyn huffed, sinking back into the couch. "Fine. Maybe I do."
For a moment, there was silence. A comfortable kind.
Then Theo spoke, his voice quieter. "You don't have to carry this alone, you know."
Evelyn's fingers curled around the notebook. "I've been carrying it alone for a long time."
Theo didn't reply immediately. Instead, he closed his laptop, turning his full attention to her. "You don't have to anymore."
Evelyn swallowed. The way he said it—like a promise—made something in her chest tighten.
She forced a small smile. "You really are good at this whole 'comforting' thing, Bennett."
He scoffed. "Shut up."
And just like that, the tension lightened.
---
A Ghost from the Past
The laptop let out a sharp beep.
Theo immediately turned back to the screen. "It's decrypted."
Evelyn shot up, moving to stand behind him. "What's in it?"
Theo clicked through the files, scanning their contents. "Documents. Video logs. Looks like your father kept records of everything."
Evelyn leaned closer. "Play one."
Theo selected a video file. The screen flickered, and then—
Her father appeared.
Evelyn sucked in a breath. He was younger here, his face lined with exhaustion. His office was dimly lit, the bookshelves behind him filled with papers.
He exhaled shakily before speaking.
"If you're watching this… it means I failed."
Evelyn's blood ran cold.
Her father continued, his voice rough.
"The Foundation… they're hiding something bigger than any of us ever realized. The Veritas Project was never about progress—it was about control. And they'll do anything to keep it secret."
Evelyn's hands clenched into fists.
"I tried to stop them. But I don't think I'll get another chance. If this reaches you—Evelyn, my girl—I'm so sorry."
Her breath caught in her throat.
"Find the truth. And don't trust anyone."
The video cut off.
Silence filled the room.
Evelyn's hands trembled. She felt Theo's gaze on her, steady, grounding.
"Evelyn," he said softly.
She inhaled sharply, forcing herself to stay composed. "They killed him."
Theo's jaw tightened. "And we're going to make them pay for it."
---
A Moment of Quiet
It was past midnight when Evelyn finally stepped outside to get some air. The weight of the video still clung to her, an anchor she couldn't shake.
She leaned against the porch railing, staring at the quiet streets. The stars were out, scattered like forgotten dreams across the sky.
The door creaked open behind her.
She didn't have to turn to know it was Theo.
He joined her, leaning beside her, hands resting against the railing. For a while, they just stood there, breathing in the night air.
"You should sleep," Theo said eventually.
Evelyn let out a dry laugh. "Like that's possible after what we just saw."
He nodded, as if he understood completely.
A breeze passed between them, cool against her skin.
Then—
Theo reached over, the movement almost imperceptible, and brushed a strand of hair from her face.
It was so simple. So small.
But the warmth of his fingers lingered.
Evelyn turned to him, her chest tightening. "Theo…"
His gaze was steady, unwavering. "I'm here."
She swallowed hard. She didn't know why those two words meant so much.
But they did.
And for the first time in a long time, she didn't feel so alone.
---
End of Chapter 20