Chapter 2 - The Message
Julian stood beneath the white glare of the airport sun, staring at the screen.
Zero percent.
Not low.
Not inconclusive.
Zero.
Elena tried to lift herself in his arms.
“Julian?”
He locked the phone.
“Don’t move.”
“I’m already barely moving.”
Her attempt at a smile disappeared when pain crossed her face.
Julian looked at her bruised shoulders.
His expression changed.
Not anger.
Something colder.
Protection.
He carried her toward the private medical vehicle waiting near the terminal.
Behind them, airport officers separated Arthur, Beatrice, and Chloe.
Arthur continued shouting.
“You’re being manipulated!”
Julian finally turned.
“By whom?”
Arthur froze.
Julian waited.
Arthur had no answer.
Beatrice stepped forward.
“Son, you don’t understand what that test means.”
Julian stared at her.
“You knew?”
Her silence lasted only two seconds.
But it was enough.
Julian's face hardened.
The medical team took Elena from him.
As they placed her on the stretcher, she grabbed his wrist.
“Please don’t leave me.”
“I’m not leaving.”
He followed her inside.
The phone vibrated again.
A second message appeared.
ASK WHO ORDERED THE TEST.
No number.
No name.
Julian stared at it.
Then another message arrived.
AND ASK WHY ELENA'S RESULT WASN'T ZERO.
Julian slowly looked toward the treatment room.
May you like
His face went completely still.
👉 Julian had expected one impossible answer, but the second message suggested someone had already known exactly what the test would reveal.
