### ** Shadows on a Gloomy Night**
Heavy rain poured down on the Byron family mansion, creating a monotonous rhythm on the cold stone roof. Lightning flashed occasionally, illuminating the seemingly endless dark hallways. In one of the small rooms downstairs, Alya stood in front of a frosted mirror, staring blankly at her reflection.
Her eyes flashed with determination, but her body showed an exhaustion that could not be hidden. Her fingers touched her rounded belly, hidden beneath several layers of tightly knotted fabric. She held her breath, pressing her stomach deeper, trying to convince herself that she could still hide this secret.
"I have to survive," she murmured softly, almost like a whisper heard only by herself.
The reflection in the mirror seemed like a stranger to her-a once confident woman, now trapped in a deadly game. Alya turned her face away, unable to bear the sight of her changed reflection.
---
**Alya's Inner Monologue**
She took a deep breath, trying to calm her mind. "You are a spy, Alya. You're not a victim. You knew the risks from the start." But the voice felt hollow, unconvincing.
She remembered the last instruction from her commander before this mission began: *"Infiltrate the Byron family. Discover their secrets. And if necessary, sacrifice anything. "*
Alya did not expect that "anything" would include her own body. She sighed heavily, remembering that night, where Damien Byron, the heir to the Byron family, trapped her in a situation that left her with no choice but to accept this fate.
"It's all part of the mission," she said, louder this time, as if trying to convince herself. But this growing pregnancy was not part of the plan. And the pain that began to radiate from her abdomen reminded her that time was not on her side.
---
A soft knock sounded on the door, making Alya's body stiffen instantly. She twisted around, her eyes fixed on the tightly closed wooden door. Whoever it was, they couldn't know this secret.
"You have to calm down," she whispered to herself, trying to calm her racing heartbeat. She loosened the cloth binding her stomach slightly, just enough to disguise the pain. The knocking sounded again, louder this time.
"Alya?" A woman's voice came from outside the door. It was Clara, one of the senior maids in the mansion, and the person who suspected her the most.
"I'm here," Alya replied, her voice made calm despite her trembling body. She grabbed a towel hanging nearby and wrapped it around her waist, trying to hide her physical changes.
The door opened slowly, and Clara's face appeared. Her eyes scanned the room quickly, before stopping on Alya. "Are you okay? You look... pale," she said in a suspicious tone.
"I'm fine. Just tired after a long day at work," Alya replied, trying to put on an unconvincing little smile.
Clara narrowed her eyes, as if trying to read something behind Alya's face. "Mr. Damien wants all the servants to gather in the main hall. There is an important announcement."
"Okay," Alya replied briefly, lowering her head to avoid Clara's gaze. The woman didn't move, still standing at the door, as if waiting for something. The tension in the room was getting thicker.
"I'll be right there then," Alya said, trying to end the conversation.
Clara finally nodded, but before closing the door, she said in a colder tone, "Make sure you're not late. Mr. Damien doesn't like to wait."
** The Sound of Fading Steps**
Alya stood still in place, listening to the sound of Clara's footsteps moving away. Her breath came out slowly, but relief did not come. She knew that Clara wouldn't stop until she found something. And if Clara found out about her pregnancy, it would all be over.
She reached for the small glass on the table, staring at her reflection once more. It looked back at her with a determined gaze. "I must survive," she said for the third time that night, as if the spell was enough to protect her from all the dangers that awaited.
But the spell would not be enough if she did not find a way to overcome this situation. And time was running out
---
### ** Traces of the Past**
---
Alya stepped out of her room, down the long hallway of the Byron family mansion. The crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling provided a dim light that cast dark shadows on the walls. Every step was heavy, both because of the pain radiating from her stomach, and the mental stress that continued to haunt her.
She walked slowly, keeping her steps unnoticeable. The silence in this mansion always made her feel like she was being watched. In a place like this, every little mistake could be the end of the world.
As she took a step, her mind drifted back to the past-the night when she accepted this mission.
---
**Flashback: The Beginning of the Mission**
"Are you sure you can do it?" Commander Rey's voice echoed in the small, smoke-filled room. Alya sat up straight in her chair, her eyes looking straight at the man without a hint of doubt.
"It's just a disguise," Alya replied. "I've done more dangerous missions than this."
"But this one is different." Commander Rey put out his cigarette in the metal ashtray in front of him. "The Byrons are not just another rich family. They have unseen power, and they will not hesitate to destroy anyone who threatens them."
"I know," Alya said, suppressing her own fear. "But we need that information. Without data on their projects, we'll never be able to stop them."
Commander Rey nodded slowly, but her expression remained heavy. "You know the risks of this. If you get caught, we won't be able to save you. You will be alone."
Alya just smiled a little. "I'm used to being alone, Commander."
---
**Back to the Mansion Hallway**
That thought continued to echo in her mind as she walked down the hallway. However, the reality in the Byron mansion was much more dangerous than she had imagined. She not only had to infiltrate and gather information, but also had to survive-and protect her biggest secret.
She stopped in front of a large mirror hanging on the hallway wall. Her image appeared faded, surrounded by magnificent gold ornaments. Alya touched her growing belly, hidden beneath a loose-fitting maid's outfit.
"This secret could destroy everything," she murmured softly. But she had no other choice. She had to keep going, no matter what.
---
**Meeting with Clara**
The sound of footsteps approaching from behind made Alya gasp. She turned her body quickly and saw Clara walking toward her, her face still full of suspicion.
"You're walking too slowly," Clara said matter-of-factly. "Are you sick?"
Alya shook her head, trying to smile. "Just tired. A lot of work today."
Clara looked at her sharply, her eyes seemingly trying to penetrate Alya's lies. "You should be more careful. Mr. Damien doesn't like slow servants."
Alya looked down, giving a polite smile. "I'll keep that in mind."
Clara came closer, too close, causing Alya to hold her breath. "You look different lately," Clara whispered. "Like you're hiding something."
"I have nothing to hide," Alya replied calmly, though her heart was racing.
Clara only smiled slightly, before walking away without saying anything more. But Alya knew that the woman wasn't done with her yet.
---
Alya continued her steps towards the main hall, but her mind continued to be filled with Clara's words. She knew that time was running out. If Clara discovered her secret, everything she was fighting for would be over.
However, underneath her worries, there was a determination that grew stronger and stronger. Alya gripped tightly the small key hidden beneath her maid outfit. It was the key to one of the forbidden rooms in the mansion-Damien Byron's study.
"Tonight, I have to get something," she thought. "No matter what it takes."
### ** Step into Danger**
---
The sky was getting darker outside the mansion, though occasional flashes of lightning illuminated the long hallway filled with silence. Alya stepped quickly but carefully, making sure no one heard the sound of her footsteps. Her breathing was heavy, but not just from physical exhaustion-the plan she was about to execute tonight was too risky.
Within her grasp, the small key felt cold. It was not just any key, but the access to Damien Byron's study, the place where she believed the Byron family's big secret was hidden.
---
Alya stopped in front of a large door with intricate carvings. This was Damien's study. She scanned her surroundings carefully, making sure the hallway was empty. When it felt safe, she inserted the key into the hole and turned it slowly. A soft click sounded, and the door opened.
Inside, the room felt cold, like it had never been touched by human warmth. The large table in the center of the room was filled with documents and electronic devices. The towering bookshelves along the walls were filled with thick books and archives.
Alya closed the door slowly and started moving quickly. She opened one of Damien's desk drawers and found several files with a red stamp that read **"NEOGENESIS PROJECT. "**
"This is it," she whispered softly.
She skimmed through, her eyes widening as she saw some words that made her blood freeze: *embryo experimentation*, *genetic enhancement*, and *superior pregnancy*. It all felt like a nightmare. She began to feel the truth behind her own situation-that she might be part of this experiment.
---
However, before she could retrieve more information, footsteps sounded outside the door. Alya's heart skipped a beat. She hurriedly hid the document back in its place and stepped back, trying to find a place to hide.
The door opened slowly, and Damien walked into the room. His face was cold as always, but there was a small smile at the corner of his lips that made Alya feel trapped.
"What are you doing here, Alya?" his voice sounded calm but threatening.
Alya came out of the shadows, trying to keep her face neutral. "I was... just looking for an extra mop. One of the waiters told me to get it," she replied in a flat tone.
Damien didn't answer immediately. He just looked at her, then slowly stepped closer. "You know, Alya," he said with a tilt of his head, "in this mansion, there's nothing to hide."
Alya held her breath as Damien stopped right in front of her. She could feel the man's piercing gaze as if trying to read her mind.
"But I like bold servants," Damien continued, his smile widening. "You can leave now. But next time, ask permission before entering this room."
Alya bowed slightly and quickly exited the room, but relief did not come. Her steps were quick towards her room, but her heart was filled with fear. Damien knew. She didn't know how much, but she was sure he was aware of something.
---
Inside her room, Alya sat on the edge of the bed, holding her increasingly heavy stomach. She felt like she was on the brink, but this mission wasn't over yet. She had to find a way out, not just for herself, but for the children growing inside her.
Meanwhile, in the study, Damien stood in front of the desk, staring at the document that Alya had almost stolen. His fingers tapped the surface of the desk as he smiled coldly.
"Alya," he muttered softly, "you're more interesting than I thought."
Lightning flashed outside the window, filling the room with light for a moment, as if underscoring the impending threat.