Chapter 1217

"When we found out they were planning to dissect you all for further experiments, Silas and I risked everything to get you out."

"And from that day on, we spent our lives on the run."

A run that lasted for over a decade.

"Wait, what about Juniper?" Melvin pointed at his youngest sister, who looked equally bewildered. "Was she also..."

"Ah, well, Juniper..." Theia's cheeks dusted with pink as she coughed politely. "She was a surprise pregnancy."

Juniper pressed her lips into a thin line. So, her siblings were lab-grown miracles, and she was an accident. Cool. Good to know.

"Corvus is an arrogant, narcissistic monster," Theia said, her face flushing with renewed fury at the mention of his name. "If it weren't for him, our family wouldn't have been torn apart for over a decade."

"And Silas wouldn't be in the state he is now."

"It's just that we still haven't found Corvus..."

At that, a heavy silence fell over the table. He was a ticking time bomb. They never knew when he might blow up their lives again.

"Let's not talk about him," Theia said, forcing a bright smile. "Tonight is about family. Mentioning him is just bad luck."

"Exactly." Melvin jumped in to lighten the mood, grabbing a pitcher of juice. "Mom, let me pour you a drink."

"Let's eat," Theia encouraged warmly.

Throughout the meal, the conversation flowed smoothly, though beneath the casual banter, a thin wire of tension remained. The looming threat of Silas's unfinished antidote was hard to ignore.

Theia noticed Juniper idly playing with her fork, poking at her rice.

"Eat up," Melvin smiled, dropping a generous serving of vegetables onto Juniper's plate.

"She hates onions," Shanley intercepted smoothly, expertly picking every green speck off her plate before giving it back.

"Want some chicken?" Coralie offered.

"She only eats cola-braised chicken wings. She thinks regular roasted chicken is too gamey," Shanley answered for her again.

"Oh." Coralie awkwardly pulled her serving spoon back.

"Try this," Shanley murmured, placing a perfectly de-veined piece of fish dipped in her favorite sauce onto Juniper's plate.

Juniper ate it quietly, her eyes drifting across the table.

Jimmie narrowed his eyes. Wanting to prove his worth as the eldest brother he grabbed

tongs to offer here servinne

else.

But Shanley reached right past him, effortlessly snagging the last piece of poached shrimp that Juniper had been eyeing.

"How exactly did you know she wanted the shrimp, you sly fox?" Jimmie demanded, crossing his arms.

"Hmm?" Shanley looked up, a lazy, victorious smirk on his lips. "It's hard to explain. I believe the scientific term is 'soulmates'."

"Tch." Jimmie rolled his eyes dramatically. "Who let all this vinegar into the room? It's making me sick."

"Is it?" Shanley raised an eyebrow. "I suppose a single guy like you wouldn't understand the nuance of true romance."

"Oh, you're crossing a line now," Jimmie laughed darkly. That was a direct personal attack.

"Jimmie," Theia chimed in gently to stop the bickering. "Just eat your dinner."

She had noticed it too. Shanley's attention to Juniper was terrifyingly precise le anticipated her every need. Knowing her daughter had someone like that in her corner gave Theia an immense sense of peace.

Looking around the table at all her beautiful, grown children, her smile turned bittersweet.

It was such a shame. A perfect, happy night like this... she probably wouldn't get to experience one again.

Just then, her phone buzzed.

It was a text from Corvus.

*Have you thought about it? Are you coming with me?*

Theia clenched her fist, fighting the urge to scream.

*Don't even think about telling them If you leak one word of this, the

antidote goes up in flames You

know donn

dont make empty threats Theia.*