Chapter 55

Grasping the glass firmly and fixing his gaze on it, Cephas began to speak, "I know you might think I had a privileged life. And in some ways, I did.

"Because of my father's indirect assistance to the Parliament, we were given a house in Zone B with an abundance of supplies. I didn't have to worry about food for the next day or oxygen for the night."

He took a deep breath and continued, uninterrupted, "But I was mostly alone at home. My mother died during childbirth. I am grateful that my father never blamed me for it, even though I sometimes blamed myself."

As he spoke, I noticed his hand trembling. Instinctively, I reached out and held his hand. He gripped mine tightly, seeking support as he continued to share his story.

"One day, the Parliament ordered my father to join the other officials and leave Genesis for a better life elsewhere. But he refused. Instead, he planned to escape to Ad Maiora with me," Cephas revealed.