The Weight Of Leaving by Riven Kade novel Chapter 64

I was the lead engineer at the Federal Institute for Deepwater Technology–one of the best in the country, and the only

person on the planet with hands–on experience in deep–sea rescue.

So when my sister Aubrey Carter’s submarine malfunctioned and got stranded ten thousand meters beneath the ocean,

I ignored her distress call.

Then I calmly walked into the nearest police station and turned myself in–for leaking classified technology.

Minutes later, my father called, absolutely livid. “Your sister’s fate is hanging by a thread! Where the hell are you?”

“If you don’t get to the site immediately and start the rescue, don’t even dream of inheriting a single cent of the Carter

Group!”

I pulled the covers over myself and replied flatly, “Busy. Don’t call me again.”

The rescue center must’ve panicked, because the next thing I knew, someone was shaking me awake. “Dr. Carter! We’ve

got a situation!”

“Your sister, Aubrey–her vessel, Neptune–X Explorer, just went dark. She’s stuck over ten thousand meters down in the

Maricena Trench!”

There was a sudden seismic event. Communications are down. Survival chances… are grim.”

I blinked at the woman standing over me. “And?”

She froze, clearly not expecting that kind of response. Then she leaned forward, frantic.

“We need you!”

“You’re the only person alive with successful rescue experience at that depth. You’re their only hope!”

I turned over and tugged the blanket back over my head. “Sorry. Can’t help.”

“What?!”

I said. I can’t help, I repeated, my voice as calm as if it were some stranger stuck down there, not my sister

“Rowan, are you out of your mind?! Your sister is down there! Along with twenty other researchers! They’ve got seventy–two hours of oxygen left, max!”

“My husband. Nathan.” I cut her off, he was the lead director on the last rescue op it you’re looking for experience, got more than I do. Go find him.”

She grabbed my arm and screamed in disbelief. What the hell are you talking about?! Of course we tried to reach Dr Hale–but he’s not even in the country!”

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I chuckled. “Yeah. I know.”

Then I rolled back over and shut my eyes.

She stormed out of the holding cell, cursing the whole way.

Finally, silence.

But not for long.

A familiar ringtone cut through the quiet–my father, Richard Carter.

I answered.

“Rowan! Why the hell are you refusing the mission?! Your sister is down there!”

His voice was seething with controlled fury.

“I already told you, Dad. Talk to Nathan. He’s more qualified.”

“I can’t reach him! His satellite phone is off!” Richard snapped, his panic rising.

I let out a light laugh. “Yeah. That checks out.”

“Because right now, he’s on the Neptune–X.”

Dead silence.

Then an explosion.

“What kind of sick joke is that?! Nathan left last month for the Aurora Project–I sent him to the Arctic myself! He’s not

due back for another thirty days! How the hell could he be on that submarine?!”

“Oh?” I feigned surprise. “Must’ve been my mistake, then.”

You-

I hung up.

The phone rang again almost instantly. This time, it was my stepmother, Theresa Carter.

Her voice came through, thick with sobs. “Rowan… please. I’m begging you. Just save your sister..

I leaned back in the chair and closed my eyes, letting her performance play out.

“Half of the researchers on that sub were trained by you,‘ she pleaded, voice cracking “You mentored them. They trusted you. Are you really going to sit back and watch them die at the bottom of the ocean?

“Can you live with that?”