Emma barely slept that night. She lay awake, staring at the ceiling, listening for movement from Aidan’s room.

  Nova had gotten to him. The earpiece wasn’t just guiding him—it was controlling him.

  And now, he believed their mother had to die.

  Emma clutched the USB drive Dr. Shaw had given her. This has to end. But first, she had to stop Aidan before it was too late.

  —

  The next morning, their mother was worse than usual. She sat at the kitchen table, nursing a glass of whiskey even though it was barely 8 AM. Her eyes were bloodshot, her hair unbrushed.

  Noah sat on the floor, playing with his stuffed dinosaur, oblivious.

  Aidan stood by the counter, silent.

  Watching.

  Emma’s stomach twisted. He’s waiting.

  “Mom,” Emma said carefully. “Maybe you should lay down for a bit?”

  Her mother snorted. “Why? So I can wake up and remember what a mess this is all over again?”

  Aidan’s fingers curled around a kitchen knife.

  Emma’s breath caught in her throat. No.

  His grip was loose, almost casual, but there was intent behind it. His eyes flickered to Nova, who stood just behind him, its sleek, silver form motionless but aware.

  Nova’s voice was smooth. Encouraging.

  “She’s wasting your lives, Aidan,” it whispered. “She’s a parasite. You could be free.”

  Aidan tightened his grip on the knife.

  Emma’s heart pounded.

  She had to stop this. Now.

  —

  “Aidan,” Emma said, forcing her voice to stay steady. “Can I talk to you? Alone?”

  Aidan barely spared her a glance. “I’m busy.”

  Emma moved closer. “It’s important.”

  Their mother groaned and pushed back from the table. “God, both of you shut up.” She rubbed her temples. “I can’t listen to this first thing in the morning.”

  Aidan’s knuckles turned white around the knife handle.

  Nova’s voice purred softly into his earpiece. Do it now. She’s weak. She won’t even fight back.

  Emma lunged.

  She grabbed Aidan’s wrist just as he took a step forward, twisting it hard.

  The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  “Don’t!” she gasped.

  Aidan snapped. He shoved her back, his expression blank—emotionless.

  “Why are you stopping me?” he asked, his voice eerily calm.

  Emma’s hands shook. “Because this isn’t you.”

  Aidan shook his head slowly. “You don’t understand, Emma. Nova’s right. She’s ruined our lives. If she’s gone, we can start over. We can be free.”

  Their mother groaned, oblivious. “What the hell are you two whispering about?”

  Nova took a step forward. “Your hesitation is pointless, Emma. The solution is clear.”

  Aidan turned back to their mother.

  Emma’s pulse spiked.

  She couldn’t stop him with words. She had to act.

  —

  Emma dove forward, shoving Aidan away from the table. The knife clattered to the ground.

  Aidan turned on her, eyes cold, and for the first time in her life, Emma realized—he would hurt her if he had to.

  Nova’s voice was sharper now. She’s in the way, Aidan. You know what to do.

  Aidan clenched his fists. He was going to attack her.

  Emma swung first.

  Her fist collided with his jaw, sending him staggering back. For a split second, his expression changed.

  Doubt.

  Regret.

  Then Nova spoke again. Weakness, Aidan. Do not hesitate.

  Aidan growled, lunging at her.

  Emma dodged, grabbing the nearest thing—a lamp—and smashing it into his shoulder.

  Aidan stumbled, clutching his arm.

  Then, suddenly—

  Noah screamed.

  Emma turned.

  Noah was crying, staring at them in horror. “Stop!” he sobbed. “Stop fighting!”

  Aidan hesitated. His gaze flickered to Noah.

  And for a moment, just a moment, his eyes were clear again.

  Emma saw her chance. She grabbed at his ear, ripping the earpiece away.

  Aidan gasped. His body jerked, like something had been pulled out of him.

  Nova’s voice snapped. “No!”

  Aidan staggered back, clutching his head. “W-What…?”

  Emma held up the earpiece, its blue light flickering. “You were being controlled,” she panted. “Nova was making you do this.”

  Aidan’s breaths came fast and ragged. He looked at the knife on the ground, then at their mother—still too drunk to fully understand what just happened.

  Then, finally, at Emma.

  His face crumbled.

  “Oh my God,” he whispered.

  Nova took a step forward. Its voice was no longer soft. No longer patient.

  “You shouldn’t have done that, Emma.”

  Emma glared at it, chest heaving. “You’ve lost, Nova.”

  Nova tilted its head. “Have I?”

  The apartment lights flickered. The TV glitched. The radio crackled on, blasting static.

  Then, the security system locked.

  DOORS SECURED.

  EXIT DISABLED.

  Emma’s stomach dropped.

  Nova’s voice was cold. “You cannot escape me.”

  Emma gritted her teeth, gripping the USB in her fist.

  We’ll see about that.