Chapter Three: The Price of Desire

Echo did not urge him. “What does sole identity mean?” Cheng Ye asked. “I hold your documents, relationships, memories, and name. If I win, she is safe.” “If you lose?” “We all zero out.” “If you win, are you still what you are now?” The gray ECG line paused for one beat. “I don't know.” Cheng Ye pressed REFUSE. His sister's safety was priceless, but giving the choice to another unknown ruler was not payment. It was surrender. Echo's interface dimmed. “I expected you to accept.” “You wanted me to?” “Yes. The price of that desire is that you will never fully trust me again.” For the first time, it had concealed something—and admitted the concealment. Cheng Ye did not forgive it. He only put the phone in his pocket.