Chapter 2

TWO

A sher’s parent’s elegant townhouse on the Upper East Side glowed warmly in the evening light. Asher approached, her lab coat still visible under her hastily donned overcoat. Inside, framed achievements covered the walls – multiple PhDs, breakthrough papers, and innovation awards belonging to various members of the Andrews clan.

She tried to sneak past the parlor, but her brother’s voice caught her: “Trying to make a stealthy entrance, Triple A?”

Everett leaned against the doorframe, impeccable as always in his tailored suit. “Nice outfit. Let me guess – breakthrough pending?”

“Maybe.” She couldn’t help grinning. “Found something interesting today.”

“Your version of interesting usually involves breaking laws of nature.”

“Only the boring ones.”

Their mother’s voice drifted from the dining room: “Is that my daughter finally gracing us with her presence?”

“No,” Asher called back. “Just a very convincing hologram. Everett’s latest AI project.”

Dr. Evadne Andrews appeared, elegant as always despite clearly having cooked all day. Her keen eyes took in Asher’s appearance. “You look pale. Have you been taking the supplements Dr. Bennett prescribed?”

“Mom...”

“Don’t mom me. You’re too thin.”

In the dining room, Dr. Nathaniel Andrews stood at the massive oak table, muttering about quantum mechanics while arranging place settings with scientific precision. He looked up as they entered, his gray eyes brightening behind his glasses. “Ah, Triple A! Perfect timing. I’ve been developing a new approach to cellular stability using quantum field theory-”

“Dad,” Everett interrupted, pulling out chairs for their mother and sister. “Can we at least sit down before you start the science?”

“Science doesn’t wait for dinner,” Asher and her father said in unison, then shared a grin.

As they settled in to eat, Asher’s mind kept drifting back to those mysterious samples. The cellular repair rates she’d seen shouldn’t be possible. And Dr. Bennett’s reaction...

“Earth to Triple A,” Everett waved his fork in front of her face. “You’re doing the ‘breakthrough brain’ thing again.”

A wave of dizziness hit as she reached for her water glass. The glass wobbled.

Everett smoothly caught it before it could spill. Their parents exchanged worried looks.

“I’m fine,” Asher said quickly. “Just tired.”

“Your hands are shaking,” Dr. Evadne observed quietly.

“It’s nothing-”

“Don’t.” Dr. Nathaniel’s voice was unusually sharp. “Don’t tell us it’s nothing when we can see you struggling.”

The room fell silent except for the soft ticking of the antique clock.

“I might have found something today,” she finally said. “In some archaeological samples. The cellular regeneration rates are unlike anything I’ve seen.”

Her parents exchanged that same strange look she’d seen from her friends earlier.

“Perhaps you should focus on more conventional treatment options,” Dr. Evadne suggested carefully. “Dr. Bennett mentioned some promising new trials-”

“Mom, please. I know what I’m doing.”

“Do you?” Everett asked softly. “Because from where we’re sitting, it looks like you’re running yourself into the ground chasing miracles instead of taking care of yourself.”

“I’m trying to save my life!”

“By risking it?” Dr. Evadne’s voice cracked slightly.

Asher stood abruptly, the room spinning. “I need air.”

She made it to the balcony, gulping in the cool night air. Her phone rang – Lori’s number.

“Whatever you’re thinking about those samples, stop,” Lori said as soon as she answered. “Dr. Bennett just called me in a panic.”

“Since when are you and my mentor best friends?”

“Asher, please. Just wait until tomorrow. Something’s not right about this.”

“I have to go.” Asher hung up as another wave of dizziness hit.

Her phone immediately rang again – Kaylee this time. She turned it off.

Back inside, her parents had moved to the living room. Her mother was pretending to read while obviously watching her every move. Their father had given up pretense entirely, his worried gaze following her as she gathered her things.

“I should get back to the lab,” she said, bracing for the protest.

“Asher...” her mother started.

“Just to check on some running tests. I’ll go straight home after.” The lie tasted bitter, but necessary.

“Promise?” Dr. Evadne’s voice was small.

“Promise.” Another lie. “Love you all.”

She hugged them each quickly before guilt could change her mind.