Chapter 3: The Red Dress Mission
The sun in New London didn't rise — it shimmered. Synthetic light flooded the skies in waves of rose-gold, bathing the Wolter estate in warmth that felt real enough.
But in the far corner of the Eastern Wing, warmth was the last thing Sher Wolter felt.
Because Hana was missing.
Again.
2 hours earlier...
Hana stood in front of her mirror, slipping on her crimson silk dress — the one with deep slits on both sides and a back that Sher had once glanced at for three seconds longer than normal.
"Perfect," she said, tying her hair up in a loose ponytail and smirking at her reflection. "Now let's go commit mild social treason."
She grabbed a tiny earpiece. "Lily, activate Project Chaos."
Her AI assistant beeped. "Lady Hana, are you sure you wish to—"
"Emergency override. Code: 'Sher Can't Stop Me.'"
"Code accepted. Opening private tunnel."
Outside, in the streets of Old Sector 9, the Sky Bazaar buzzed with energy. Hover vendors shouted prices from levitating carts, scent-coded perfumes filled the air, and crowds danced through colorful tech-lighted paths.
But Hana had one destination in mind: Mrs. Kalei's illegal street clinic.
The woman had once helped a refugee child Hana met three years ago — a boy now arrested by district guards for "unauthorized tech possession."
They were going to deport him tomorrow.
Not on her watch.
Disguised in a red shawl and digital eye-glasses, Hana slipped through the crowd like she belonged there. Her boots clicked on iron panels as she ducked past market stalls and slid into a narrow alley.
A gruff voice barked: "This area's restricted."
Hana turned around with a sweet smile. "Hi! I'm here to start a riot."
The guards blinked.
Then came the pepper spray can to the eyes.
Back at the Wolter estate, Sher was reading a file on agricultural AI regulations when a panicked voice interrupted his focus.
"Sir," Leon said, "Lady Hana has escaped."
Sher froze.
The file slipped from his fingers.
"Where," he asked, without inflection.
"Sky Bazaar, Sector 9. Red shawl. Caused a minor brawl. Again."
Sher was silent for exactly two seconds.
Then he stood. "Prepare the ShadowJet. Deploy Division Three. Tell them not to be seen. If she gets a single scratch—"
"She kicked a guard in the face," Leon added.
Sher didn't blink. "She's still unharmed?"
"Physically. Ego-wise? She seems inflated."
"Good."
Hana had just pulled the kid — Theo — out of the holding cage in Mrs. Kalei's clinic when the walls shook.
A sonic bomb exploded nearby.
More guards.
"Damn it," she whispered, holding Theo behind her. "I told you to stay put."
"I wanted to see if you were really as crazy as the rumors say."
"I'm crazier."
Suddenly, metal doors burst open. Guards poured in.
Hana reached for her electro-stun pen.
"Step away from the child," barked a soldier.
"No."
"Then prepare to be arrested."
Hana grinned. "You first."
She lunged forward — and smacked directly into someone taller, solid, and definitely not a guard.
Sher.
Hana froze mid-strike.
He didn't say a word.
Didn't even look at her.
He looked at the guards.
And they looked terrified.
Ten minutes later, Hana was sitting in the back of the ShadowJet, arms crossed, glaring out the window.
Theo had been rescued. The guards had fled. The child was safe.
But Sher hadn't said a single word to her the entire flight home.
"You're mad," she said finally.
Silence.
"You're going to scold me."
Silence.
"You're going to lock me in a windowless tower this time, aren't you?"
Still nothing.
Hana turned. "Sher—"
"I told you not to leave the estate," he said, voice low, controlled. Dangerous.
"You also told me not to curse at nobles, but here we are."
"Do you think this is a game, Hana?"
"No, I think it's my life."
"Which you treat like it's disposable."
"It's my risk to take!"
"You are my wife."
"Then act like a husband and trust me!"
Sher turned to her so fast she flinched.
"Trust you?" he said, voice like a drawn blade. "I sent twelve agents to tail you. They lost you after five minutes. You disabled tracking devices in your shoes. You hacked security doors, used a fake identity, and walked straight into a facility run by armed men without even a backup plan."
Hana was breathing hard now. "I had a backup plan."
"What was it?"
"You!"
That made him pause.
Hana looked away, cheeks red. "I knew you'd come."
The silence that followed wasn't cold this time. It was warm. Heavy. Electric.
Sher stared at her for a long, long time. Then leaned back in his seat, closing his eyes.
"I'm going to lose my mind," he muttered.
"You already did. You married me."
"Worst decision of my life."
"You're welcome."
Back at the estate, Sher ordered medical kits and soup to be delivered to her room.
Hana never said thank you.
But she paused outside his office that night.
Stared at the door.
Raised her hand to knock.
Lowered it again.
Smiled to herself.
"Goodnight, you emotionally damaged tyrant," she whispered.
From inside, Sher — who had paused all holograms — stared at the door.
And whispered back, "Goodnight, my chaotic storm."