Page 21 of Hollow State

“Is that what you honestly believe?”

Darwin looked away. "Maybe not. But something's gotta give."

"It can't be you." Prewit moved closer. “You’re not the one who did anything wrong.”

"I created the drug."

"You also created the drug that saved my son's life." Prewit arched a brow. "I don't care that you weren't the only one. You got it approved for field use. You took it into combat. And it was you who administered it to Elis. You saved his life, and it's thanks to you he can walk."

"It's not that simple."

"To me. His mother. And to him. It is." Prewit tapped his chest. "I get that afterward the government gave you a nice cushy lab and a big fat team. And they backed you. But you're the brains behind VKR-1 and KTH-1. No one else. And I'm tired of your version of humility. There's nothing wrong with owning what you've done. Finch weaponizing it doesn't mean your hands are dirty."

"I appreciate what you're saying. And I hear you. I do," Darwin said. "It's just so hard when I see Wynn, Kane, and the rest of the team in that bunker every day. It's hard not to feel responsible."

"Wait a second." Prewit stared at him for several seconds. “This isn't just about the team. This is personal. This is about Wynn, isn't it?”

Darwin blinked. “What?”

“You heard me.” Prewit wagged his finger. "I should've seen it sooner. I mean, I've known you for years, and your panic increased the second you walked into this building with her.”

“I’m concerned about everyone.”

“Of course you are, but it's different when you care deeply.”

“She’s in a relationship with the entire team, if that’s what you’re asking.”

Prewit smiled and lowered his chin.

“That came out wrong.”

“It generally does when you try to talk about feelings.”

Darwin turned toward the monitor. “I don’t want to discuss this.”

“Which means I'm right, and we absolutely should.”

“There are samples waiting.”

“They’ll still be here in five minutes.” Prewit leaned against the counter. "I'm not going to let this go, and you know how I get."

"Unfortunately, I do." Darwin sighed. “I like her. A lot. More than I've liked anyone in years.” Darwin picked up the pen again and tapped it once against the counter. “She matters to me.” That scared him more than the possibility of Finch finding them.

Darwin had only allowed one other person into his life. He’d wanted to believe he'd given all of himself to that relationship. He'd been honest about everything, and that included how important his work had been.

He’d thought Sarah had understood. But when he learned that wasn't necessarily the case, he no longer knew how to protect himself, so he did the only thing he could. He buried everything beneath work, convinced himself he didn’t have enough time to give, then acted surprised when the person standing beside him walked away. At least, that's what he’d told himself and everyone else. He allowed her that grace. He had his work and she had what he’d refused to look at.

He still chose not to see it. That was how he handled everything.

“I worry I’m making the same mistakes I made with Sarah.”

Prewit laughed. Hard.

Darwin stared at him. “I don’t understand what’s funny.” That was a lie. Prewit was one of the few who knew most of what had happened, but not everything.

Prewit braced one hand against the counter.

“I hurt Sarah.” When Darwin looked back on his marriage, he could never quite pinpoint which betrayal happened first. Him pulling away and becoming unavailable, or her stepping out.