Chapter110:

Chapter 110 XENOIS "It's the only deal you're getting," I said firmly. "Because here's the thing—you're not actually a separate entity. You're me. And whether you like it or not, I've changed. The core of who we are has shifted. So you can either adapt to that reality or keep fighting it, but you're not winning this battle." We stared at each other in the mirror, and I watched something shift in his expression. The cold calculation remained, but there was something else now too. Acceptance, maybe. Or at least acknowledgment of reality. "You've got more of me in you than you want to admit," he finally said. "Making deals with yourself, negotiating terms, finding ways to get what you want while appearing reasonable. That's very much my style." "Our style," I corrected. "And yeah, I'm learning to use the tools you left me. The strategic thinking, the ability to negotiate, the understanding of power dynamics. But I'm using them for different ends. Better ends." Old Xenois studied me for an