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Chapter 19: Departure

  Chapter 19: Departure

  Darren and Elara left the room.

  "I told you this would happen," Elara said, arms crossed, her expression taut with concern. "Your approach—he was always going to take it the wrong way."

  "I took the best course of action I could have taken at that moment in time. I do not regret my decisions," Darren said, his voice steady, unwavering.

  "Had we hesitated, it would have cost both of their lives. He’ll understand that eventually." responded Darren.

  "That kid, his expression reminded me of you after 'that' incident."

  "I know, that's why I hope he will make it farther than I did, I believe he has potential, he will adapt to any environment he is given. He just needs the right mold"

  "Hopefully, he makes a decision he doesn't regret," Elara murmured, her gaze lingering down the hallway.

  "But I worry that the path he will take will be one of misery."

  Elias Res and Alba Nyx stood there waiting in the waiting room, they met Darren and Elara coming out of the room patiently waiting in the corridor for them to finish the conversation.

  "Did something happen?" Alba asked, concern threading through her voice as her sharp gaze flickered between Darren and Elara. She had dealt with powerful figures before, but something about the tension in the air made her uneasy.

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  Alba’s concern deepened, but years of experience speaking with powerful figures kept her composed.

  "I am impressed by your children," Darren said, his tone almost admiring but still cold.

  "They both have incredible potential. If they choose to join us, we will forge them into the next generation of professionals."

  Elias, who had been quiet until now interjected.

  "You talk about forging them into professionals. What if that process breaks them instead?"

  Elara, standing in front of him, hesitated for a brief moment before adding.

  "The choice must be theirs. This isn’t a path you force someone down."

  A day later, Mark and Aria were discharged.

  Alba Nyx and Mark stood in front of the shuttle service leaving Astra, headed back to Barca.

  The air between them was lighter than before, though traces of their earlier intense conversation lingered beneath the surface. For now, neither of them chose to bring it up again.

  “Mark, make sure to take care of yourself. Don’t push too hard while injured.”

  “I know, I’ll be fine. Say hi to David and Leah for me.”

  “They miss you very much.”

  “I’m coming back to visit in two months—it’s not that far anyway. Tell David to stop slacking off.”

  Alba gave him a knowing look.

  “The same also goes for you.”

  Mark exhaled, shaking his head with a small smile.

  "Yeah..."

  Alba studied him for a moment, her eyes softer now.

  "Opportunities like this don’t come often. Just… make sure you’re choosing for the right reasons."

  Mark huffed lightly.

  "That might be true, but my gut is telling me otherwise."

  As always, they took a selfie together before parting—a family tradition every time one of them left for another country. A snapshot of the moment, a small piece of home to carry forward.

  With a final glance, Alba stepped into the shuttle, pausing just before the doors closed. Mark met her gaze one last time, a silent exchange of understanding passing between them. No words were needed—just the acknowledgment of everything left unsaid.

  As the shuttle began to move, Mark exhaled, turning away slowly. His mind was already racing ahead to what awaited him, yet a part of him lingered in that moment. Alba, too, looked back through the window, watching her son fade into the distance. They both knew that the next time they stood together like this, something—maybe everything—would be different.

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