But at least then, his mom and dad would have been by his side. At least someone would have loved him.


    But with them gone, there would be no one left to love their son...


    That''s why they felt so guilty, so remorseful, so sad.


    And they worried that their son would resent them for it.


    Lowell, being the sentimental type, was already in tears. ".


    Kendrick and Elizabeth were heroes, deserving of everyone''s gratitude.


    But what about Tarquin?


    He was the son of heroes, but he was also a victim.


    It was because his parents had sacrificed themselves that his life had been so hard, forced to bear everything alone at such a young age, with no one to love him...


    The video was still ying, but Tarquin, his vision blurred with unshed tears, hit the pause button.


    He grabbed his cigarettes and a lighter and went outside to smoke, chain-smoking one after another.


    The twenty-year-old recording had stirred up a deep longing for his parents, along with a flood of terrible memories.


    There''s no such thing as true empathy in this world. You never know how much it hurts until you''re the one who''s been cut.


    Only he understood the unspeakable bitterness of those years.


    So he understood his parents'' apology.


    But he didn''t me them. If he had been in their shoes, he would have done the same thing.


    He hated the people who had masterminded this biological warfare.


    He hated the mysterious figure, that traitor to their country!


    His phone suddenly rang in his pocket, ying Elysia''s custom ringtone.


    She was video-calling him.


    Tarquin swallowed hard around the tightness in his throat and declined the call.


    Afterposing himself, he called her back-a voice call, not video.


    He didn''t want her to see his reddened eyes and worry.


    Elysia picked up instantly. "Honey, are you okay?"


    "Hmm?"


    "Why didn''t you answer my video call?"


    Tarquin lied. "The signal''s bad here, video would be choppy. Why are you calling at this hour? Got some free time?"


    Elysia didn''t overthink it.


    "I just took a little nap and I dreamt about you. When I woke up, my heart was pounding. I was a little worried about you."


    Tarquin was speechless. Maybe there really was such a thing as being in sync with


    someone.


    He tried to sound casual. "What did you dream about me?"


    Elysia murmured, "Nothing much. just dreamt you were standing all alone in a storm, and I couldn''t tell


    &


    where the rain ended and your tears began. It was devastating


    A lump formed in Tarquin''s throat. It took him a moment to reply.


    "They say dreams are just our fears ying tricks on us. I''m actually really happy right now. And even if were sad, you don''t need to worry. would only be because I miss you too much."


    Elysia was easilyforted, letting out a sigh. "I miss you. So much."


    Tarquin was touched. "I''m pretty much done with things here. I''lle find you when I''m finished."


    Elysia was surprised. "You''reing to Oceanopolis?"


    "Yeah. Are youing to pick me up?"


    "Really? When are youing?"


    Hearing the excitement in her voice, Tarquin smiled and asked teasingly, "Do you want me toe?"


    Elysia replied instantly, "Yes!"


    A handsome smile spread across Tarquin''s face, happiness radiating from him.


    "I can''t give you an exact time yet, but it''ll be in the next couple of days."


    "Okay! I''ll wait for you! Let me know before youe."


    Tarquin asked, "Will there be a surprise for me?"


    After his birthday, Elysia couldn''t hear the word ''surprise'' without her cheeks flushing deeply. "No!"


    Tarquin sighed dramatically.


    "Poor me. A guy travels thousands of miles to see his wife, and she won''t even prepare a surprise for him."


    Elysia pursed her lips, smiling. "Smooth talker! Just get here first. You''ll find out if there''s a surprise when you arrive!"


    Tarquin''s tone was doting. "Alright! Wait for me!"


    Elysia replied softly, "Okay, I''ll be waiting."


    After a few more sweet nothings, they hung up.


    Tarquin''s mood had lifted considerably.


    Elysia was his anchor. No matter the situation, she could always ground him.


    Letting out a long breath, Tarquin headed back into the room to continue watching the video.


    He wanted to know why his parents


    hadn''t immediately handed the virus


    over to the state after bringing it back to the country. >


    He also wanted to know if they had mentioned the mysterious figure!