Chapter 213
I meet Cora’s gaze, my heart pounding as we both scramble for an explanation. The silence between us is thick, an unspoken agreement passing between us in the span of a second. Cora clears her throat, straightening with the unshakable composure she always carries.
"Phoebe found me in Hawaii," she says smoothly. "She came to help with my research."
It’s a solid excuse, but my mother isn’t buying it. Her expression twists with anger, her voice rising like a sharp blade cutting through the air.
"Why couldn’t you have called us? Everyone thought you and your research team were dead! How could you let us worry like that?"
Cora falters, something I don’t see often. Her lips part slightly, her confidence cracking just enough to reveal uncertainty. "I had no idea…"
The lie is unraveling fast. I jump in before it can fully fall apart.
"Grandma’s been living on a ship, Mom," I say, my voice steady but urgent. "It’s not like she watches the nightly news."
My father’s voice slices through the room, firm and unyielding. "Watch your tone, Phoebe. This is serious. The government is involved."
Cora and I exchange a subtle look. If the government is involved, Enigma has already taken steps to control the story. That means no loose ends, no real investigation—just a prolonged "search" for my lost research team before they officially declare them dead.
Families will be compensated, and the final report will say the ship went down in a storm. There will be no mention of Enigma’s operative at the university, no explanation for how we were tricked into capturing a drugged, furious merman. No justice for my classmates who never stood a chance. And worst of all—I still don’t know why any of it happened.
Cora remains composed, giving me space to take the lead. I clear my throat, forcing an even tone. "I actually left the research trip early…after an uncomfortable run-in with my professor."
My father’s face darkens. "What happened?"
I swallow hard, my mouth dry. "It doesn’t matter anymore, Dad. I wasn’t there when the…incident happened."
My mother wipes at her eyes, fresh tears welling. Her voice shakes when she asks, "Is that when you went to find her?"
Cora nods slowly. "She found me, yes."
A choked sob escapes my mother as she covers her mouth with one hand. "Thank you for taking her in, Mom."
My father exhales heavily, the tension in his shoulders easing just a fraction. "Yes…thank you."
Cora straightens, nodding with quiet resolve. "Of course. She’s been a great help with my research."
My mother lets out a frustrated groan. "It’s always about your research, Mother."
Cora’s expression flickers with something almost like regret, but before she can respond, I step in. "Mom, we’re actually doing really important work here. What Grandma’s built is incredible."
She sighs, shaking her head. "I’m sure it is. Maybe I’ll actually get to see some of it before one of us really does die."
Dad wraps an arm around her shoulders, his voice gentle but firm. "Mel, it’s not the time, love. Let’s just be grateful that everyone is safe."
Mom sniffs, nodding reluctantly. "You’re right. We’ll call the university tomorrow—"
"No, don’t!" The words burst out before I can stop them, panic lacing my voice.
Dad frowns. "What? Why not?"
I scramble for an explanation, my mind racing. "I…I don’t trust the university. Not after everything Stan put me through."
At the mention of my professor, my father stiffens. His eyes sharpen. "Then we’ll go to the authorities."
I press my hands over my face, trying to keep my composure. My father’s patience is thinning, and I can feel the weight of his expectations pressing down on me.
"What is it, Phoebe?" he demands. "What aren’t you telling us?"
I exhale shakily, my voice barely above a whisper. "I don’t want to be found…not when people are looking for me."
His face reddens, his voice rising. "Who? This Stan?"
I nod, unable to speak past the lump in my throat.
His eyes narrow. "So the boat didn’t sink? Or explode? Or whatever the hell else the news has been speculating?"
"I don’t know what happened to the ship," I admit. "I just know that Stan is looking for me. He has connections. He’s a very bad man. So, please…just let me stay missing a little while longer."
My father clenches his jaw, his knuckles whitening where his fists curl at his sides. "Phoebe, that’s a ridiculous thing to ask, especially if this man is dangerous."
Cora steps in, her voice calm and authoritative. "If these people are as dangerous as Phoebe believes, going to the authorities won’t help her. It will only draw unwanted attention."
Mom crosses her arms, her expression steely. "So what, you’re just hiding out until this blows over?"
Cora holds her gaze steadily. "People like Stan don’t live quiet lives, and they rarely ever truly get what they want. He will be taken care of."
Mom shakes her head. "That isn’t very comforting."
I meet her gaze, my voice steady despite the storm raging inside me. "Trust me, guys, I’m where I need to be."
Dad exhales sharply, rubbing a hand over his face. "Well, Phoebe, is that it, or do you have anything else to drop on us?"
Before I can answer, the door to my cabin swings open.
Wake walks in, his expression unreadable, his movements fluid and effortless. He doesn’t even acknowledge my parents’ presence. Without a word, he pulls his shirt over his head, exposing the lean, scarred muscle of his back. Then, just as silently, he strides past them into the bathroom, shutting the door behind him.
I stare.
My parents stare.
Cora, to her credit, looks like she’s barely restraining a smirk.
The silence stretches impossibly long before my mother finally manages to find her voice.
"Phoebe," she says slowly, her tone both horrified and incredulous, "who the hell was that?"
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