Chapter 1997

It didn't take long before they were standing face-to-face with the director of the Country M research base.

Before Jackson or Fiona could say a word, the director hit a button, and two people appeared behind them almost instantly.

Jackson's entire expression changed in a split second. Those two people-it was his parents. The ones he'd spent years searching for.

Fiona's temper spiked the moment she realized what was happening. She moved closer to Jackson, glanced up at his tense profile, and whispered, "Jackson?"

She could see the pain written all over his face, the heartbreak in his eyes.

"I'm okay, Fiona. Don't worry about me," he said softly, but she saw the truth-the longing and panic he was trying so hard to hide.

Really, who could stay calm in this situation? After all these years, his parents were right in front of him. No one else could understand what that felt like. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ Find_Novel(.)net

The research base had always seemed to have the upper hand-until this arrogant cyborg tried to take over by swapping identities.

But a cyborg will always be a cyborg. No matter how well it mimics a real person, it can never really escape its own programming.

"Come here quietly, or I'll kill them. You've been looking for them for years, haven't you? They're right in front of you now. What are you waiting for?" the director taunted.

His words had barely faded when a sudden explosion rocked the building. The entire electrical system blew, backup generators and all.

The cyborg was totally unprepared, staring around in confusion.

Then, the two figures beside him collapsed, black charging cables falling limply behind them.

Jackson didn't even get a chance to say a real goodbye.

The truth was, they'd already figured out-these weren't his real parents, just unfinished cyborg copies.

The scientists at the base had experimented on Jackson's parents again and again, but no matter how hard they tried, they couldn't make perfect duplicates. In the end, his real parents died in the lab, and the research stalled.

That's when they set their sights on Jackson and Fiona. If the parents were so hard to copy, maybe the children—both so talented—would make even better test subjects.

The base's ambition was obvious to everyone, and the authorities wasted no time distancing themselves from the whole mess.

They'd wanted to control the world by mass-producing cyborgs. Thank goodness Jackson and Fiona managed to destroy everything, and with the government stepping in, all those cyborgs were rounded up and destroyed.

After it was all over, Jackson and Fiona headed home to the States.

Both the Woods and Stonnell families trusted them completely, happy to hand over control to the younger generation.

It was time for the old guard to step aside and let the kids handle things their way.

Not long after their return, both families announced the big news: Jackson and Fiona were officially engaged.

Everyone who knew them felt for the

couple after everything they'd been through, all anyone wanted was to bless them and wish them happiness. s

"Jackson, when I graduate, let's get married," Fiona said one night.

He smiled. "Absolutely. Then we'll really be together, for good."

There was nothing more reassuring than finally having a place by each other's side.

Two years later, Fiona graduated from college.

The Woods and Stonnell families had started planning months earlier. It was a rare joyful event-everyone Dall out for the wedding, making huge, unforgettable celebration. s

All the most important people in the States showed up to congratulate the happy couple.

Their wedding night was something they'd both dreamed about for ages- especially Jackson, who'd been waiting for this for so long.

"Fiona, I'll be gentle," he whispered, his voice low and sweet, making her face flush.

For the first time, Fiona felt shy, like a girl in love. She looked at Jackson with sparkling eyes, her voice barely above a whisper as she called his name. s

"Jackson..."

They lost themselves in each other that night, wrapped up in passion and tenderness.

The next morning, Fiona woke up in Jackson's arms. He was already awake, looking at her with so much warmth she could hardly breathe.

"Fiona, I love you," he said.

She smiled, her heart full. "Jackson, I love you too."

Sunlight streamed in through the window, bright and gentle, promising another perfect day.

The End.