Chapter 2
2 AM.
I curled up in my MIT alumni hoodie, three 4K monitors casting blue shadows across our Palo Alto mansion's study. My fingers flew across the keyboard.
First, I listened for Dax's breathing from the bedroom—steady, heavy.
Now it was my turn, you bastard.
I connected through several hidden networks. Three years at Google plus MIT computer skills—tonight, everything would pay off.
BioLux's medical database security fell apart like wet paper.
"Come on, Ada. Let me see what you've been hiding."
The search results made my blood run cold.
[Ada Novak, Embryo Testing Date: August 15th]
My record showed: [Serena Howard, Initial Consultation: September 28th]
Six fucking weeks.
"Six weeks..." My voice shook in the darkness. "While Dax was telling me we were 'not rushing into parenthood.' That lying piece of shit."
The screen kept showing more horrible details:
[Embryo Profile: XY chromosome, Superior IQ genetic markers, Perfect athletic gene match
Due Date: April 2024
Notes: CEO Priority Project, Maximum Confidentiality Level]
My fingers stopped typing.
[System alert: Higher privileges required for restricted file access.]
"Higher privileges?" I laughed bitterly. "Let's see what secrets you're hiding."
I used tricks I learned at MIT to guess the legal director's password. Birthday, pet names, license plates—
"Bingo!"
I scanned the secret files on screen. One title nearly gave me a heart attack:
[BioLux Equity Succession Emergency Protocol]
The content made me sick:
[If the current spouse can't have children, or loses the ability to have children due to medical reasons, company control goes to someone who can produce healthy heirs.
This agreement makes sure BioLux genetic technology inheritance isn't affected by personal feelings.
Emergency Contact: Ada Novak
Medical Decision Proxy: Ada Novak]
I hammered the keyboard angrily, each keystroke like punching Dax's face.
"Can't have children? I'm not your fucking baby-making machine!"
Looking further, I found change records. Dax had rewritten this agreement many times over the past six months, each time making Ada more powerful.
"Personal feelings..." I laughed bitterly. "So I'm just a 'feeling.' Something that can be thrown away."
Saturday. BioLux headquarters stood empty like a graveyard.
I walked in pretending to "work overtime," my purse hiding tiny recording devices—gadgets I ordered from Amazon.
Dax's office was on the 42nd floor, glass walls showing all of Silicon Valley. Usually this meant power and success. Now it was just a crime scene.
I quickly planted listening devices under Dax's chair, under the meeting table, even inside that expensive plant.
Just as I was about to break into the private safe, I found it was already open.
Inside were Ada's things, neatly arranged: pregnancy test results, vitamin bottles, even a baby ultrasound photo.
The photo's back said: "Our little prince, Daddy and Mommy love you - A&D"
I almost ripped the photo apart.
"Serena? Working weekends too?"
I spun around to see security guard Jason at the door, smiling kindly.
"Oh, Jason!" I tried to stay calm, quickly putting the photo back. "You know how it is—so much work before product launches. Dax went to the gym."
"He's so good to you." Jason walked into the office, looking around casually. "Yesterday I saw him and Ada buying pregnancy vitamins for you."
For me? My smile almost broke.
"Really? I didn't know."
"Yeah, at Whole Foods' health section. Ada said she wanted to get you the best vitamins." Jason smiled innocently. "The friendship between you three is really sweet."
Friendship? The whole world seemed to be laughing at me.
Afternoon. I sat in my Tesla, getting ready to leave the company parking garage. My phone suddenly buzzed with WhatsApp messages.
Ada had sent a photo: her and Dax at Whole Foods' baby section, lovingly picking organic baby food.
Caption: [Getting ready for your upcoming little life 💕 Dax says give your child everything best]
I stared at Dax's gentle look in the photo—a look I'd never seen before.
A second message came:
[Heard you were at the company today? Such a workaholic! Need to rest during pregnancy prep~]
This woman knew I had been at the company!
I fought the urge to throw my phone.
But my inner voice screamed: "Stop acting nice. I see right through you."
Back home, I made lunch in the kitchen while Dax talked on the phone in the living room, speaking very quietly.
Just then, my Signal app lit up. Secret message from Switzerland:
[Sis, noticed weird patterns in your computer activity. Need help? - Chloe]
My sister Chloe worked for Swiss banks, an expert in computer security and tracking digital trails. Clearly my hacking had been noticed by a professional.
I replied: Might need to change work locations temporarily. Don't do anything sudden.
Chloe answered quickly: [Got it. Emergency escape plan ready. Standing by.]
Just then, Dax finished his mysterious call and walked toward the kitchen. He looked unusually worried, even nervous.
"Baby, you look tired today." He gently touched my shoulder. "Not worried about anything? Too much work stress?"
I felt his warm touch while my heart stayed ice-cold.
"Just a bit tired. Getting ready for pregnancy always makes people nervous."
"I understand." Something flashed in Dax's eyes. "Maybe we should go to bed early. Tomorrow I have good news to tell you."
Good news? My gut told me a bigger trap was coming.
Evening. I pretended to shower while actually listening to Dax's office through wireless earbuds.
The water sounds covered everything as I heard today's most important conversation:
"She acted strange today, staying at the company for a long time." Dax's voice sounded worried.
I immediately knew the other voice—Ada.
"Maybe we should move faster. Can't wait much longer." Ada's voice sounded impatient.
"She went to MIT, she's technically smart. If she starts getting suspicious..."
"Then we don't give her a chance to get suspicious." Ada cut him off. "Dr. Stevens says the surgery can happen sooner. Latest by next week."
My heart raced. Next week? They were going to hurt me next week?
"But if something goes wrong..." Dax's voice shook a little.
"Nothing will go wrong." Ada's voice was scary cold. "Medical accidents happen every day. And my child will make sure BioLux has a future."
I bit my teeth so hard I almost bit my tongue.
Just then, my phone buzzed.
A text from Dr. Stevens' number:
[Suggest scheduling surgery sooner, latest by next week. Everything is ready.]
Next week. They couldn't wait anymore.