CHAPTER 40 — WELCOME HOME
The world seemed to stop. Not because of the rain. Not because of the armed soldiers surrounding the greenhouse. Not because Chairman Han had appeared once again. But because of the way he looked at Aarya. Like she was everything. His greatest success. His greatest obsession. His greatest achievement. And somehow— that terrified her more than the guns. "Welcome home, Subject A-01." The words echoed through the greenhouse. Aarya felt sick. "Don't call me that." Her voice trembled. But not from fear. From anger. Pure anger. Han smiled softly. "Why?" A pause. "It's who you are." "No." The answer came instantly. Firmly. "My name is Aarya." For the first time— something dangerous flickered across Han's face. Not anger. Disappointment. Like a father whose child had
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