Phoenix Project, Twelve Years of Silence

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My daughter's birthday party was supposed to be my proudest moment.

Instead, my husband handed my speech to our live-in tutor.

The person I want to thank the most is my teacher, Ms. Amara Vance, my daughter, Leila, announced to the room. She cares for me like a real mother. I love her so much!

My husband, Zane Miller, led the applause with a beaming smile. He pulled them both into a sweet, lingering hug.

In that moment, I realized they were the real family of three. I was just the intruder.

I didn't make a scene. I simply left a signed divorce settlement on the desk, waiving all my rights to our assets.

I turned my back on them and joined a classified national defense project. I would be gone for twelve years.

After all, compared to a family that didn't want me, my country needed me more.

...

"Are you absolutely certain about this, Lyra?" the Director asked, his voice heavy with gravity. "This mission lasts twelve years. Once you enter the facility, there is zero contact with the outside world. What about your husband and daughter?"

Director Harrison looked at me with genuine concern.

I didn't hesitate for a single second. "I'm certain. I've already divorced my husband. His new woman will take good care of my daughter. I have nothing left to consider."

The Director was stunned into silence.

"The position you applied for is in the technical research department," he continued. "You'll be in a radiation suit all day, and the mental toll will be massive. Can you really handle the physical exhaustion?"

I gave him a tired but confident smile. "Of course. I've been training my body and my willpower for this moment. You don't have to worry about my stamina."

The Director bit his lip, trying to think of more obstacles to make me change my mind.

I saw right through him. "No matter the difficulty, I will overcome it. I understand your worry, sir, but we both know no one else can fill this role right now."

"No one else has reached my level of expertise in this field," I added calmly.

My own mentor had disappeared into a similar mission years ago. I didn't even know if we would ever cross paths again.

The Director's eyes grew misty. "I'm just worried about you. This kind of research takes a brutal toll on the body."

"If you've truly made up your mind, then we are honored to have you," he finally said.

Being chosen for the Phoenix Project was an honor most scientists would die for.

My mentor hadn't been home in decades. She spent every waking hour working for the future of our nation, and I was ready to do the same.

My resolve felt like iron.

"The project will succeed," I said firmly. "If I fall, my students will take my place. There will always be thousands more like me."

I booked a one-way ticket to the research site. The Director walked me to the gates.

"At the very least, go say your final goodbyes to your family," he suggested.

I thought about it for a moment and eventually nodded.

When I left the institute, my bank account was credited with over three million dollars as a preliminary grant.

I planned to donate every cent to charity. I wasn't leaving a penny to Zane or Leila.

I decided to call my daughter one last time.

She didn't love me, and strangely, I was grateful for that. It made leaving her much easier.

Still, she came from my own body. I felt I owed her one last attempt at a conversation before I vanished.

On the way home, I bought the expensive Lego set she had been begging for.

Consider it my final act of motherly love. From this day forward, my love belonged only to my country.

Chapter 2

As soon as I stepped inside, the sound of laughter hit me like a physical blow.

Zane and Amara Vance were sitting in the living room, looking perfectly domestic. Leila's favorite show was playing on the big screen.

They were chatting about movie theories and neighborhood gossip, completely lost in their own world.

Amara looked up at Zane with watery, soulful eyes.

"I've been in this house for three years, Zane," she whispered. "I don't want to be just the tutor anymore."

Zane's hand paused as he peeled an orange. He didn't say anything for a long time.

Amara's eyes turned red. "Lyra isn't like other women. She already had everything when she married you, but do you actually have feelings for her?"

Zane frowned and took a deep breath, setting the orange down.

"That's enough," he said, though he didn't pull away.

Amara pressed on, her voice trembling. "I have nothing, Zane. But I can stay by your side and be a real wife. I'll put you first, unlike Lyra, who is always out making a name for herself."

"I'm the one who truly knows you. I'm your soulmate."

Zane's face darkened. "Amara, don't do this."

She didn't listen. She threw her arms around him, burying her face in the crook of his neck.

"For you, I gave up elite universities. I gave up studying abroad. I threw away my pride to be your maid and your daughter's teacher."

"I've been here for three years. I know you feel something for me. You can't stand this close to a fire and not feel the heat, right?"

Zane didn't push her away. Instead, he pulled her closer, acknowledging everything she had sacrificed for him.

They had been high school sweethearts who kept missing their chance. I knew their history all too well.

Otherwise, why would Zane keep a secret stash of her photos in his private study?

I lowered my gaze, feeling a familiar sting in my chest. Even though I was leaving, my heart still remembered how to ache.

After all, I had truly loved him when we got married.

Amara thought we were together just because our parents were friends. She had no idea how hard I had fought for him.

Our mothers were best friends, so I grew up in his shadow. I followed him everywhere, like a lost puppy, for as long as I could remember.

My feelings for him sparked when I was just a girl.

His dream was to explore the stars, so I changed my major to match his. He hated spicy food, so I forced myself to eat a bland diet for years.

He liked peace and quiet, so I spent countless hours sitting silently beside him in libraries, even though I secretly loved the noise of the city.

I wanted to melt into his life until I was a part of him.

Finally, he noticed meDthe girl who shared all his hobbies and interests.

When his parents started pressuring him to marry, he came to me with a proposal.

"We have the same personality and interests," he had said. "If you're willing, I'd like us to start a family."

I didn't sleep a wink that night. The next morning, I sent him a three-word text: "I am willing."

But no matter how hard I tried, I could never compete with the mark Amara had left on his heart.

She entered our home right after I gave birth to Leila. I thought they were just old classmates, but I was wrong.

Zane, a man who was usually so reserved, had actually gotten into fights for Amara back in the day.

Compared to their vibrant, dramatic youth, my life with him was a dull gray.

In the living room, the TV let out a burst of laughter. Amara's tears were soaking into Zane's shirt.

He held her with a deep, raw love I had never seen directed at me. They looked so perfect together.

"Mom? You're back?"

Leila's voice broke the silence. The two lovers jumped apart, looking guilty.

Amara scrambled to wipe her eyes, while Zane stood up and smoothed out his clothes.

"Lyra, don't misunderstand. I was just..." Amara started.

"It's fine," I interrupted her.

She blinked, her eyes shimmering with disbelief.

"I'm sorry," I said calmly. "I forgot to mention I was coming home early."

She stammered a confused response, but Zane just stood there, looking annoyed that I had ruined the moment.

I told myself to endure it. It was the last day. Soon, he would be free of me forever.

Chapter 3

I turned to Leila, wanting to give her a final hug. She immediately stepped back, avoiding my touch.

"Ms. Vance said I'm a big girl now," she said with a scowl. "I don't want to hug you."

She glared at me and ran back to the sofa to play on her phone.

I took a deep breath, feeling a heavy weight in my chest. I sat down beside her and pulled out the Lego set.

"Sweetie, do you want to play with Mom for a bit? This is the one you've been wanting, right?"

She glanced at it for a second, then looked back at her screen.

"I don't want it. I told you, I'm grown up now. Can't you see I'm studying? I'm going to be like Dad and conquer the stars."

My heart twisted. This was the girl I had carried for nine months, yet she looked at me like a stranger.

"Just for a little while, please?" I whispered, desperate for one last moment of connection.

Leila groaned and threw her phone at me. It hit my shoulder with a sharp thud.

"I said no! I don't like you! Why do you always have to be so annoying?"

The words felt like a knife to the heart. I felt dizzy from the pain.

"Lyra, if Leila doesn't want to play, just let it go," Amara said, walking over to pick up the phone. "You shouldn't force her."

As soon as Leila saw Amara, she calmed down. She even grabbed the Lego set from my hands and pushed it toward the tutor.

"Ms. Vance, will you play with me? I only want to play with you."

I watched them in silence. Amara gave me a pitying look.

"I'm sorry, Lyra. Leila just prefers my company. I guess she sees me as her real mother."

Her words were a direct challenge, but I didn't rise to the bait.

"Fine. You two play. I'll go make dinner."

It didn't matter anymore. I was leaving, and there was nothing left for me here.

Amara looked surprised that I gave up so easily, but she quickly turned back to my daughter.

Zane followed me into the kitchen.

"Your mother is in the hospital. Go see her after dinner."

I looked up at him. "Isn't she your mother, too?"

He looked stunned by my tone. "What?"

"Nothing. I'll go."

I wanted to ask him what I had been to him all these years, but I lacked the courage. I was afraid of the answer.

My phone rang. It was Zane's mother.

"Lyra, are you really going through with this divorce? It's been so many years. Can't you just talk it out?"

Her voice was frantic, but I knew what she was really worried about.

"Mom, don't worry. I'm not taking Leila, and I'm waiving all claims to the house and Zane's money."