But David had never questioned Lucas.
Never demanded a DNA test.
Never even hinted—
Maya stopped.
A memory.
David standing in their kitchen.
You don’t know everything they did to you, Maya.
She had thought he meant the military.
Another memory.
David refusing to discuss Ethan.
Another.
David leaving without fighting for custody.
The truth rearranged itself so quickly that Maya felt physically unsteady.
“Ethan,” she whispered.
“Is Lucas your son?”
The radio remained silent.
Then—
“Yes.”
Lucas stepped backward.
Maya felt something inside her break open.
“You knew?”
“Yes.”
“For how long?”
“Since before he was born.”
Maya’s voice shook.
“I was married.”
“I know.”
“How?”
Adrian answered instead.
“Because Project Icarus wasn’t a military aviation program.”
Maya turned.
“What was it?”
Adrian looked at Lucas.
“A human adaptation program.”
Captain Reeves had heard enough.
“I don’t care what secret project any of you belonged to. I have an aircraft carrying nearly two hundred people and unreliable systems. Tell me how to land it.”
