CHAPTER 84: SHE WAS RIGHT

It was another day, and Theo stuck to his usual morning routine of exercises. But unlike other days, there was a lingering restlessness in him, ever since Brix told him that Beatrice had mentioned his name to AMSO.

He knew it wasn’t her fault. Beatrice had no idea he was an AMS, let alone one who had no intention of officially joining AMSO.

For now, he still had the luxury of freedom. AMSO didn’t know his exact whereabouts, and unless someone in town recognized him during his occasional trips for supplies, he could still move in the shadows.

"Surely they won’t hunt me down... right?" he mused.

After all, with AMSO being short on manpower to clear the red zones, it made no sense for them to waste time chasing someone who was already doing their work unofficially. If anything, he was helping them, quietly and efficiently.

Theo sighed deeply and turned toward the eastern wall just in time to see Kael materialize in his human form. The man had been working non-stop alongside Uncle Andres, reinforcing the sanctuary’s defenses. They were now building a separate wall facing the beach, in addition to the tall cement walls guarding the sides.

The weather was perfect. The summer warmth still lingered, but the sun wasn’t harsh anymore, signs that autumn was approaching.

"So..." Aries’ voice broke the silence as she took a seat beside him on a beach bench. She handed him a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice. "Are you planning to turn this place, the Twinfront Sanctuary, into a permanent base? A foundation, maybe? For people who have nothing left to go back to?"

Theo glanced at his sister and hummed, "Should we?"

"I’m not against it," Aries said with a casual shrug. "Honestly, we’re more than capable now. I mean... I’m already a millionaire, and I didn’t even have to lift a finger. With all the money you’ve been transferring to my account, I have more problems figuring out how to spend it than anything else."

Theo chuckled, and Aries joined in.

It was strange, almost surreal. They’d grown up with nothing. Every day had been a battle, scraping by to afford food, school, and especially their mother’s hospital bills. But now, they could buy whatever they wanted. Comfort, safety, even a future.

"I’m sure Mom would be happy," Aries murmured, eyes drifting up to the sky. "Seeing how we’re doing now. She’d be proud of you, Theo... and I hope she’d be proud of me too."

Theo turned to her and noticed something different in her expression. A flicker of hesitation. Her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes.

"What is it, Aries?" he asked with a frown. "Just tell me."

Aries released a deep sigh and looked at Theo straight in the eye. "I want to join AMSO," she said softly, "as part of their medical team."

Theo’s brows furrowed. "But... you didn’t even finish your college course."

She gave a small smile. "I only need six more months to complete it. Don’t forget, I was a scholar. Beatrice told me AMSO’s opening their recruitment for medical personnel. They’re conducting qualification exams for applicants, even those who haven’t finished a degree. As long as you pass the written and physical tests, they’ll take you in based on skill, not diplomas."

Theo was taken aback. He hadn’t seen this coming.

He had done everything in his power to keep her safe. To protect her. To keep her far from danger. And now she was asking to step straight into it.

"Aries..." he muttered, voice low, uncertain. "Being an AMSO medic is dangerous."

"I know that," she said gently. "But so is sitting here doing nothing. I can’t just stay in this sanctuary while others are out there bleeding. Dying. I want to help, Theo, not just for the sake of helping, but because I can. You’ve always protected me. Now let me protect others."

Theo clenched his jaw. A dozen arguments formed in his head, but none of them felt right. He knew he couldn’t cage her forever.

He wanted her safe, but deep down, he also respected her strength, the quiet kind that burned just as fiercely.

Theo looked at her, the muscles in his jaw tightening. His fingers curled slightly on the bench, silent for a long moment as the waves lapped gently in the distance.

"Aries," he finally said, his voice low, almost defeated. "If I say no... will you even listen?"

She gave him a look, gentle but unyielding. "You know me better than that, Theo," she said quietly. "I’ll still do what I want. I’m old enough now to decide for myself... and to follow what my heart wants."

Theo’s shoulders slumped slightly. He stared ahead at the water, letting the weight of her words settle deep in his chest. There it was, the truth he didn’t want to face. Aries wasn’t a child anymore. And no matter how hard he tried to protect her, she’d already chosen her path.

He sighed, rubbing a hand down his face. "You’re still the reckless little sister who climbed the roof just to fix the antenna when it was raining."

"And you’re still the big brother who nearly broke his arm trying to pull me down," she said with a soft chuckle.

Theo turned to look at her, really look at her. She wasn’t the same girl he used to shield from the world. There was steel in her now. Resolve. Compassion. And a fire that reminded him far too much of their mother.

"You’ll take the test first?" he asked, voice quieter now.

Aries nodded. "Next week. Beatrice said she can endorse me. I’ve already started reviewing and doing practice drills when you’re not looking."

Theo narrowed his eyes. "How long have you been planning this?"

"Since the day I realized you weren’t going to stop risking your life," she answered. "If I can’t stop you, then I should be strong enough to stand beside you."

He exhaled heavily. "I don’t want to lose you."

"You won’t," she said, resting her hand lightly over his. "I won’t let that happen. But we both know we can’t hide forever."

Theo didn’t reply immediately. He just nodded, barely. Because deep down, he knew she was right.