Chapter 48

Miranda

My foot taps against the white tile floor, arms crossed over my chest. I glance at Jessica behind me, who shrugs in response. Next to her sits a table with pieces of a carefully constructed demonstration we put together.

It’s been two weeks since Sebastian, and I guess Lily, approached me about the sulfa tablet problem. During these two weeks, Jessica and I have worked tirelessly to find the answer.

The answer, ironic enough, is that sulfa tablets need to go. There was room for innovation and growth with what the sulfa tablets provided Moonlit Labs. Instead of making soldiers, and everyday people, swallow tablets and pills with the hopes that they’ll be saved from infection, Jessica and I have come up with a powder that, when it comes in contact with an open wound, creates a barrier between the exposed body and the outside world.

It’s fast-acting and with the very few trials we’ve done inside the lab, it’s helped speed up the healing progress by a few days.

“They’re late,” Jessica states.

“I know,” I groan.

“If they don’t show up in the next ten minutes, I’m leaving,” she adds. I turn to look at her, rolling my eyes.

The lab doors swing open and I rush to greet Sebastian, his Beta, and Lily in the de-sanitized room. I wave, opening the door, gesturing to a row of non-slip slides for them to wear.

“You’re here! Please put on these shoes and come inside. We’re trying to reduce the amount of germs that come in and out. Lily, I’m sure you understand,” I shoot a smirk in her direction. She rolls her eyes while kicking her shoes off.

I admit, it’s a petty blow, but how could I resist the opportunity to do so?

I walk back towards Jessica, signaling for her to get ready. She puts her phone away and fixes her posture, standing behind the table that holds our presentation.

Sebastian is the first to enter the room. His eyes fixate on me, barely looking at anything else in the lab. He stands directly in my eye line, keeping his distance, as his Beta and Lily catch up. He nods at me to begin.

“First of all, thank you for coming on such short notice. Jessica and I have made crucial progress with the sulfa tablets. It doesn’t differ much from the previous formula that I fixed for Moonlit Labs, but will be much more accessible to the public and the citizens of the country.”

I turn to Jessica and she passes me a large plate that holds four tiny bowls. Inside the bowls is a crisp white powder. I hold the plate out and the three of them take a bowl, inspecting it. Setting the plate down, I take the last bowl and direct their attention to a sick lab rat in a cage.

“I’m going to take the powder and apply a small amount to his exposed wound that has sadly been infected.” Out of the corner of my eye, I notice that Lily is barely paying attention, handing her bowl to Sebastian’s Beta.

I continue with the demonstration and gesture for them to come close and watch. A large magnifying glass hovers over the rat’s stomach where its infection is. Sebastian steps behind me, his chest pressing against my back, towering over me, watching as the powder goes its work.

My breathing grows shallow. Subconsciously, I push back into him, tilting my head to the side so he can have a better view.

Jessica clears her throat and my gaze snaps to hers. She barely shakes her head, gaze flickering to Lily, whose glare shoots daggers at Sebastian and I. I gulp and dip under his arm, circling to the back of the table.

“As you can see, the rat’s wound is now covered in a thin layer of protection, acting like new skin. We estimate that in about three days’ time, the rat will be fully healed.”

Sebastian nods his head, his eyes burning into my skin. He leans over to his Beta, whispering something into his ear. His Beta nods and pulls out a notepad, scribbling on it.

“Jessica and I are also working on a version where it can be ingested instead of it being a direct application. We think that this drug, with the help of Moonlit Labs and their ability to provide mass production, will help everyday people in this country with minor cuts all the way to hospitals using it for serious injuries.” Once I’m finished, Sebastian slowly claps his hands together, his Beta following suit, but Lily remains still.

“Great job, Miranda,” Sebastian tilts his head down, acknowledging my medical accomplishment.

Lily scoffs. Everyone in the room turns to her. It’s silent. A little too silent. I open my mouth to speak but Sebastian beats me to it.

“What is it, Lily? You have to admit, what she’s done in a short time frame is impressive—”

“Moonlit Labs and I are close to a breakthrough too! She’s not special just because she got there first!” She spits the words in my direction. I frown, gnawing at the inside of my cheek. “Besides, she completely got rid of the sulfa tablets, which is what we hired her for!”

“Sulfa tablets cause serious side effects, Lily. What Jessica and I came up with is a better solution than it. We cannot risk putting people in harm’s way just to save a penny here and there!” I bark back.

“Miranda has saved Moonlit Labs’ ass for the second time, yours included. You should be thankful that she’s even willing to give you the medication to produce!” Sebastian chimes in. He steps in front of me, blocking my view.

My heart skips a beat. My hand flies to my chest, trying to get it to stop. I look at the back of his head and sigh.

Why are you protecting me?

“Fuck you, Miranda! Why couldn’t you let me handle things for once you dirty half-breed!” Lily yells, storming off. She slams the doors behind her, leaving the room with awkward tension in the air.

“Leave us,” Sebastian’s voice is low yet demanding. Jessica and his Beta shuffle out of the room, not wasting another second. I hear the click of the outside door and look up at Sebastian with watery eyes. “Are you okay?”

His hand slices through the air, finding its way onto my cheek, and cups it. I nod and blink the tears away.

“Yes…I’m used to it, honestly,” I laugh at how uncomfortable Lily made the room feel. “She always calls me a half-breed. It still manages to sting, though.”

“What do you mean by you’re used to it?” He tilts his head to the side. His hand drops from my cheek to the side of my neck, his thumb grazing over my skin.

“Growing up, I was like her servant. I was expected to do everything for her and let her take all the credit. I guess she’s not used to being praised,” I admit.

My eyes go wide from my admission. Sebastian’s lips part and no words come out. I rest my hands on his chest and push him away, his warm touch leaving my skin cold.

“I…I need to work on the medicine some more. You should go,” I turn around and rush to a nearby workspace, sitting down. I keep my back to him. My hands freeze, unable to do anything.

I half-expect him to fight back, but part of me wishes that he’d respect my request and leave me alone.

Seconds turn into minutes. I hold my head in my hands and sigh, finally hearing the click of the lab door.