The Hart family's basement was her nightmare, but it was also the place where she made her first research breakthrough.
She thought that once she grew up, she could escape those nightmares.
But it wasn't to be...
Grace closed her eyes in pain.
"Lucian hit me because he was jealous of my intelligence. Alistair Hart used me, hoping to cash in on my research. Even Lilian framed me because she felt I was stealing her spotlight."
"This slight cognitive enhancement has brought me nothing but agony, not a single moment of joy."
She took out her phone and pulled up the home security feed.
Gianna was on the carpet with her grandmother, listening to children's songs.
The little one waved her arms and legs, babbling and giggling until she drooled.
"Right now, Gianna is at eight percent."
Grace's voice cracked. "As long as she has that marker, she's destined to be a target for The Helix Line. We exposed Nemesis Group Inc., forcing them into the light. But in doing so, we've put a spotlight on ourselves. There will be a second and a third Nemesis Group wanting to get their hands on her brain. She'll be seen as a 'tool,' a 'resource' for various powers to fight over."
"She'll have the same childhood I did, or even worse."
Grace's words trailed off, unable to continue.
Looking at the four-month-old Gianna on the screen, she finally understood the resolve Lauren Hawke must have felt all those years ago.
She stood up, her gaze hardening with an unprecedented determination.
"I absolutely will not let that happen."
She turned to Damien. "Damien, I want to perform a procedure on Gianna."
Damien was taken aback. "What are you talking about?"

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