In this world, there are countless stories of heroes whose sacrifices go untold.


    Take the undercover agents and narcotics officers who died horrible deaths far from home-their photos and heroic deeds are rarely revealed to the public. Usually, their identities onlye out when there''s no family left who could be targeted for revenge.


    That''s the harsh reality-protecting their loved ones from retaliation.


    The reason Elizabeth and Kendrick''s story couldn''t be made public was simple: the real Eighth Generation virus still hadn''t been found, and the crisis wasn''t over. If the truth got out, panic would spread like wildfire.<fn85b6> Chapters first released on Find★Novel</fn85b6>


    Mass hysteria is a monster of its own. The government would do anything to avoid


    it.


    People talk about peace and prosperity, but the truth is, it''s all built on the backs of those who shoulder the danger for us.


    Elizabeth was being escorted by government agents to make sure her name was cleared, to honor her as the hero she was. They couldn''t let her sacrifice-or Kendrick''s-be forgotten. The country owed them that much.


    But then you had people like Allegra and her crew. They enjoyed the safety and privileges earned by these heroes, yet showed no gratitude. Instead, they spread lies, hurled insults, and even cursed the names of the fallen.


    People like that deserve the harshest judgment.


    As Tarquin walked forward, holding the urn with Elizabeth''s ashes, Soren''s voice rang out, cold andmanding.


    "Don''t take them away yet. Bring them along to the cemetery. I want them to see Elizabeth and Kendrickid to rest together with their own eyes," he ordered. "If any of them so much as utters a word of disrespect, double their sentence. If they want to rot in prison, let them keep talking."


    Allegra and her group fell silent, their eyes wide with shock as the military officers and soldiers saluted Elizabeth, honoring her sacrifice. They looked ready to faint from disbelief.


    Tarquin passed by, shooting them a frosty re, but said nothing.


    Elysia and the children walked past next, casting furious looks at the group but refusing to engage. They might have been elders in the family, but respect had to be earned and they certainly hadn''t.


    Behind Elysia and the children came yton and Pam. Further back were major military and political leaders: Richard Huber and Jte, the Murphy family, the Windham family old friends and allies of Kendrick''s. Winona and Blossom, Keaton and Booker, all walked in solemn procession.  s


    At the rear marched representatives from the Army, Navy, and Air Force, rifles on their shoulders, standing tall and proud. They were the honor guard, protecting the procession.


    Everyone except the soldiers at the back stared straight ahead, faces set. As they passed Allegra''s group, each person shot them a deadly cold look.


    Allegra and her people knelt at the gates of the Bradford family cemetery, too terrified to even


    breathe. All they could do we


    watch helpless, as Tarquin carried Elizabeth''s ashes through the iron gates, leading the long, dignified procession.  s


    No one dared protest. No one dared shout. The atmosphere was somanding,


    so overwhelming, that it silenced even the bravest troublemaker.


    Once everyone had entered the


    cemetery, Tarquin''s men and the remaining soldiers herded Allegra''s group inside as well, forcing them to witness Elizabeth and Kendricks burial side by side, just as Tarquin and Soren had ordered.  s


    Weren''t they the ones who had imed Elizabeth would never be admitted to the Bradford family cemetery? That she''d never beid to rest with Kendrick? That the public would never recognize her as Kendrick''s wife?


    Well, now they had no choice but to watch the truth unfold before their very eyes.