Episode 4

*Shadow's POV*

That little troublemaker got me drunk last night. I felt bad for her, but I couldn't show it. I overslept and almost missed my task the next day. We had to retrieve some important documents for this task.

I was late, so I couldn't join her, but as I entered the building, I saw her at a distance. A bit of dust flew into her eye, and she removed her contact lens. That's when I saw them-those eyes. My heart skipped a beat.

It hit me then-those eyes were so familiar. I had been competing with my love all these years, never recognizing it was her all along. But now, seeing her blue and brown heterochromic eyes clearly, I knew. It was *her*-the girl I had loved from afar, whose laughter had been the highlight of my silent world. "The love of mine!"

I lost focus for a moment, and she got the target. My teammates noticed and asked, "What's wrong?" They didn't understand. How could I explain? In that split second, I had lost my objective to win a mission, but to protect someone I had adored silently for years.

My teammates, who always thought I was silly to always compete against her, were confused to see me let victory slip away so easily.

As she was leaving, I kept my eyes on her. She didn't know I was there watching her to be honest, admiring her. As she took off her mask and let her long hair fall in the wind, everything made sense. I had been competing against her, not even realizing it was the woman I had loved all along. I should blame her make-up skills in our college times now. Even though I saw her original face in my home that day, I couldn't recognize her.

I was so happy to find her again after all these years. I'm thinking about retiring from this job soon-maybe I could finally pursue her.

But the next day, when I showed up for my task, I learned that she had already finished her last mission and left the agency.

I was heartbroken. The only things I knew about her were her nickname, Siren, and her name, Hana-I knew that wasn't her real name either.

*Siren's POV*

Arius's marriage was set. I was on the verge of tears. That's when I received my final mission.

I didn't want to attend his wedding, so I decided to vanish for a few years. I couldn't even bear to look at his face. I was afraid I'd miss our conversations and being by his side even more. Everyone in my family knew about my feelings for him, so they understood and let me leave after my last mission, which is today.

I had planned to vent my frustrations on that idiot, but he didn't show up.

Damn! Even this dust isn't on my side-it got right in my eye. I took out my contact lens, which I usually wear to conceal my heterochromic eyes, and walked down the street, removing my mask and black uniform. I let my hair down and strolled through the midnight alleyway; it felt oddly calming to think that I'm leaving this atmosphere behind forever.

She sets off in her new life, many miles away from Arius, keeping a low profile by working as a college tutor.

Shadow's POV:

I’ve been looking for her everywhere. Two years have gone by, and I still can’t find a trace. I’ve traveled all over the world, trying to find her, but it’s like she vanished.

*If only I had stayed that day...*

I can’t stop regretting it. I still remember that day so clearly.

That day I left after I proposed to her, thinking I was doing the right thing. But my heart couldn't take it so I came back to see her one last time, and that’s when everything fell apart.

In that dark alley, I saw men attacking her. I rushed in and fought them off, but by the time I got to her, she was barely alive. She looked so lifeless. I couldn’t help but think, it's is all my fault.

Then I saw Aju searching for her. I watched from a distance as he took her to the hospital. And from that moment on, I made a promise to myself: I would never get close to her again. She deserved so much more than the darkness of my world… than me.

*Sighs!!*

Mark, my friend, noticed my frustration.

What’s up with the sighing? he asked, looking at me.

I still can’t find her, Mark. Even with all the resources we have, the best tracking systems from our agency… they all came up empty. It’s like she’s vanished off the face of the earth, I muttered, feeling defeated.

Mark leaned back, crossing his arms. You’re right. It’s strange. It’s like she doesn't exist.

I frowned. What do you mean?

It’s possible, Mark said slowly, his mind working. If there’s no record of her, it’s possible she doesn’t exist on paper. If her presence was never officially recorded, then there’s no trail to follow.

I stared at him, trying to process his words. That’s a good point… but why would they do that? Why hide her like that?

Mark gave a knowing look. I think there’s more to this than we realize.

I leaned back, rubbing my temples. I should’ve never walked away. I should’ve found a way to protect her.  Now, this mystery was the only thing that might explain everything.

Siren’s side:

Here are the documents you asked for, her boss said, handing them over.

Why do you look so troubled, big boss? she asked, noticing his concern.

You need to look at these yourself, he replied, his voice serious.

She opened the documents and read through them. Her eyes widened as she saw something strange.

My name isn’t listed in the family register...

Yeah, he said, looking at her carefully.

What does that mean? she asked, confused.

May be you're not part of that family, he explained.

But....I look like my mother and my twin partner and I are identical. Aren't we? she asked, trying to make sense of it.

Go through the documents, maybe you’ll find something that explains it.

She skimmed through the papers and then stopped at a particular section. Wait, what does this mean?

Her boss leaned in and spoke quietly, Your mother loved Arius’s father, but she couldn’t marry him. Your grandfather wouldn’t allow it because he didn’t want his daughter marrying an agent. He insisted her to marry into Ruthwell family instead.

She frowned, trying to digest the information.

So, she had no choice but to marry my father? She asked.

Exactly, he nodded. But that still doesn’t explain why your name was left out of the family register.

She shook her head, frustrated. I don’t understand. Why would they do that?

I don’t know either, he admitted, but we need to dig deeper. There’s more to this than we know.

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