Chapter 198

Chapter 198 KAEL The morning air beneath the dome always carried a faint metallic scent—like dew condensed over circuitry. I’d grown used to it, even found it comforting in a strange way. It reminded me that the city was alive in its own rhythm, pulsing quietly beneath layers of code and containment. Seraphina walked beside me, her pace unhurried. The exhaustion that had shadowed her for days seemed lighter now, replaced by something I hadn’t seen in a long time—a kind of quiet equilibrium. She accepted the coffee with a murmured thanks, her fingers brushing mine just briefly. “I read your draft,” I said after a while. “Chen sent me a preview copy before the review.” Her eyes flicked toward me, amused. “Of course she did. Couldn’t resist a second opinion?” “She wanted me to check the technical accuracy,” I admitted. “But I think she just wanted to make sure I understood what you wrote.” “And do you?” I hesitated. Words felt too small for what her document contained. It wasn’t just a re