Adeline's POV

The response came immediately.

Stardust: Smart choice. Details incoming. Encrypted file. Password: Phoenix. You have one week to complete. No extensions.

A link appeared. I clicked it. Downloaded the encrypted file to my phone.

Beside me, Kayden's breathing remained steady. Still asleep. Or still pretending.

Either way, I needed privacy.

I slipped out of bed. Grabbed my laptop from the desk. Headed to the bathroom. Locked the door.

Sat on the closed toilet lid and opened the ...