Chapter 5

October 28th.

At dawn, I sat at my dressing table, using the pen engraved with Vivian's name to sign my name at the end of the Asset Holding Agreement.

The pen scratched across the paper, making a soft, rhythmic sound. I deliberately let my hand tremble, and on the last stroke, I pressed down a little too hard, tearing the paper slightly. I looked up, my eyes red. Because last night, I'd spent the whole night watching a sad art film on repeat, and it had worked.

"Alex, it's done," I said, my voice tinged with weary resignation and a…