Stuck with the enemy

Chapter 52: Decision Taken!

Derek's Story

It was her. She was the captain of the team. She was here, in my office, answering my questions with logic so airtight that I couldn't find a single flaw.

I had to move on. It seemed she already had. Why couldn't I? Why was I the only one still stuck? How could she feel nothing when my chest was ready to implode? How was she stronger than me?

Deniz's Story

You hurt me too much to feel anything anymore.

I'm not allowed to feel anything anymore. We were impossible to begin with, and yet you insisted on making it worse. Why couldn't you be a good person? Why couldn't you help instead of hurt? From the moment I was a child, all you ever did was sabotage me. You took my home, then you rejected me. I was kidnapped because of you, and you didn't lift a finger. You haunt my dreams, Derek, and I can't escape you.

I hate you, Derek Garcia, with everything that's left in me.

I wanted to say that.

Derek's Story

Her piercing gaze locked onto mine, and I struggled to maintain control. What was she thinking? Did she feel anything at all?

"I want you to introduce me to your team," I finally said, breaking the silence that threatened to drown me. "I need to know everyone in my patrol. It's protocol. Take a seat."

She hesitated for just a moment before sitting down, her posture composed as she began.

Deniz's Story

"We have Caden and Arden, the twins," I started. "They look alike, but they couldn't be more different. Caden is sheer strength, while Arden is a brilliant strategist.

"Jasmine is one of the most talented girls from the suburbs. She's been training since she was young and has impeccable technique.

"Miriam is incredible with technology—computers, combat equipment, weaponry. She's got a mind that works like magic.

"Mike and Jane are inseparable. Jane is the fastest person I've ever met, while Mike has reflexes that are almost unreal.

"Kai is the clever one. He always comes up with ideas that sound crazy but end up working like a charm.

"And Tommy... he's studying to become a doctor. He's also our medic-in-training."

He cut me off suddenly. "You're not really his sister, are you?"

I paused for a moment, caught off guard by his directness. "No," I admitted. "Tommy's parents died when he was a baby. He spent some time in an orphanage in another city before being adopted by a family that..." I hesitated, swallowing hard. "I'd rather not talk about them. What matters is that he's with us now."

Derek's Story

Her hesitation was telling. There was pain buried in her words, a story she wasn't ready to share.

"Jacob?" I asked, seizing the chance to probe into the person who seemed to be everywhere she was.

She smiled—just a small smile, but it hit me like a blade. It hurt more than any words she could've said.

"J?" she said, her tone lightening. "He's my best friend, my big brother—well, to avoid confusion, I only have one biological brother, Aras. But over time, my family has grown. Everyone you saw in that room, and more who haven't arrived yet, they're my family now."

I nodded slowly, a faint smile tugging at my lips despite myself.

"And who else is there?" I asked, trying to steer the conversation away from Jacob, even though his name lingered in my mind like a curse.