na

departure. Two days left. I yearned for a quiet end, a final, uncerem

ted call from Bryan. My h

me for dinner?" His voice

ard. "Dinner? I'm b

t stretched into an eternity. Then, a

en. The first time. A wave of guilt, sharp and

ice thick with genuine regret.

co," he pressed softly. "Just us. N

again, of feeling like an intruder, heavy in

e," he added, as i

Okay," I said, the word barel

bruised purple and orange. Howard was in the garden, meticulously watering the rose bushe

t felt like the old days. "Bryan's in

a fleeting moment, the years of bitterness seemed to melt away. We sat at the polished mahogany table, the same table where countless family dinners had tak

trivial things, about old memories, carefully skirting the edges of anything th

on a more serious tone. "Bryan and I were thinking... we could all ta

ruel echo. "I can't," I said, my voice flat. "I alread

flicker of disappointment crossin

Bryan pressed, a subtle eagernes

de," I said, my voice fi

en dedicated to her work, Bryan. We know that." He offered me a refill o

shed. The air in the room suddenly felt thick, oppre

careful, Jenna. There are people out there who prey on families like ours. People who see opportunity in

caring about my well-being a long time ago. Your concern now is only for your secrets." I leaned forward, my eyes locking

fragile peace of the dinner shattered, splint

table. "You're spoiled, Jenna!

udly against the floor. "I'm

sistant,' as you call him, Cesar Witt, is the founder of Aegis Collective. A rival cybersecurity organi

laying out the groundwork for my betrayal, paintin

ly's secrets to our greatest competitor. You can't trust h

n, Howard. But I don't need you to question my friends.

ol. About warning me, subtly threatening me, about preserving their empire-an empire I was about to abandon. The irony was a bitter taste in my mouth.

h a deafening crash. Howard stared at me, his eyes filled with silent accusation, as if I had personally orc

word, I turned

ed. Cesar was already there, waiting. "Everything

a silent a

n, a coordinator for Aegis, met us at the private airfield. "Mr. Witt in

luxurious mansion disguised as a fortress. Cesar Witt, the elusive founder, greeted me in hi

s eyes piercing. "Your family has quite the re

start, a place where my talents were truly valued. He nodded, studying m

ou to call anyone you wish to speak to today, Je

No. Bryan. Maybe Bryan would understand. I pressed his name

cis's voice,

my voice a strained wh

said, a smugness in his tone. "Said you

er, distant and carefree. They were laughing.

filling my mouth. "No," I choked o

ard, and crushed it under my heel. Th