Lane International HQ – 3 Weeks Later The boardroom erupted into startled applause as Griffin's coding demo concluded, the screens around the room displaying the elegant solution he had developed—a cybersecurity algorithm that outmaneuvered every Coleman Corp defense system our team had been able to replicate. The lines of code seemed to dance across the monitor, a digital ballet orchestrated by hands still small enough to struggle with tying shoelaces."He's ten?!" The CTO, Marcus Chen, gaped at Griffin, then at me, as if suspecting some elaborate practical joke. Marcus had joined us six months ago from Google, bringing decades of experience and a healthy skepticism about the hype that often surrounded child prodigies. That skepticism had just evaporated before my eyes as Griffin's program systematically identified and exploited vulnerabilities that Marcus's own team had missed.Griffin adjusted his glasses with his index finger, a perfect mimic of my boardroom stance—the gesture I
Manhattan Safehouse – 2:47 AM The window alarm didn't trigger. The motion sensors stayed dark. The silent pressure plates beneath the imported Persian rug registered no intrusion. The thermal cameras mounted discreetly in the crown molding detected no heat signature beyond the expected patterns.But I woke anyway—to the scent of bergamot and betrayal.Michael stood at the foot of my bed, a silhouette against the Manhattan skyline visible through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the penthouse. The city lights behind him created a halo effect that was grimly appropriate—Michael had always cast himself as the avenging angel in his own narrative, the righteous force bringing judgment to those who defied him."You forgot," he whispered, his voice carrying that familiar blend of smug satisfaction and menace that had once made boardrooms fall silent, "I taught you how to disable every security system you own."He had. In the early days of our marriage, when I had still mistaken his controll
Manhattan Safehouse – 3:01 AM The pen felt like a blade in my hand, its weight disproportionate to its size, its purpose more dangerous than any weapon. The heavy parchment of the document lay spread before me on the kitchen table, illuminated by the single pendant light overhead that cast long shadows across the room. Michael hadn't moved from where he stood, his silhouette blocking the only exit, his broad shoulders filling the doorframe as completely as he had once filled my life.Three months of careful hiding, of sleeping in different locations, of burner phones and cash transactions—all undone because I'd underestimated his desperation. Because I'd believed, foolishly, that a man on the run from federal authorities would prioritize his freedom over his obsession."You really think I'd sign this?" My voice was steady, but my pulse roared in my ears like a freight train, the adrenaline making my fingers tingle around the silver pen he'd placed in my hand—the same pen I'd used to
Coleman Corp Headquarters – Dawn Flames licked the skyline as firefighters hosed down the ruins of Michael's empire, their water arcs catching the first light of dawn and fracturing it into ephemeral rainbows above the destruction. The acrid smell of burnt plastic and melted wiring carried on the cold morning air, mixing with the steam rising from the overheated structure. From where I stood across the street, the Coleman Corp logo—once illuminated in blue neon fifty stories above Manhattan—was now a blackened skeleton against the lightening sky.Reporters swarmed behind the police barriers, their satellite vans creating a secondary perimeter, their cameras and microphones thrust toward anyone who might have information. Their headlines were already writing themselves, scrolling across the bottom of live broadcasts on the screens visible through the media vans' open doors:ARSON SUSPECTED IN COLEMAN CORP INFERNO – INSIDERS CLAIM "REVENGE"I stood on the periphery, Griffin's hand clu
Alex POV“No, no, no…” I laughed hysterically as I watched the sad look on my doctor's face as she delivered the news. “It’s impossible, doctor. It just can't.” I told her, trying hard not to believe her words.Clutching my now empty stomach, I shook my head trying to block out her words. ‘I'm so sorry, Mrs. Coleman. We did everything we could.’ she'd just say. “Mrs. Coleman,” she began. “I'm sorr–”“No, don't tell me one of those sentimental bullshit because I refuse to believe your lies, I felt her k…kick this morning!” My voice cracked. “He was right there. My little baby boy was right here, IN HERE!” I pointed to my stomach. The nurse poked her head in from behind the doctor. “Do you need anything Mrs. Coleman?”“I need my baby!” I screamed at the top of my lungs, throwing her a pillow from where I sat. “Bring my baby to me. P…please.” “I'm sorry but he's gone.” She said. A guttural scream tore out from my throat as I collapsed on the bed, my body shaking with uncontrollable s
Alex POVI cried and cried non stop till my eyes were all red and swollen. I had gone to my safe haven which was a small beautiful garden deep into the vastness of the hundreds of apple trees orchids planted. No one comes here since I had instructed them not to. I come here only whenever I am feeling down. The reason was this place seems to brighten up my mood, make me happy and yet the scents of the bright flowers and the comforting sunlight is doing nothing to brighten up the dark storm over my heart. I felt betrayed. Angry.And maybe foolish, and stupid and dumb. And many more worthless names I wish to call myself but don't know them. "Stupid, stupid, stupid," I chanted to myself, hitting my head with my palm. "How could I have been so blind?"All the signs had been there. The late-night calls he’d take in his office, the lingering glances between him and Maria at company events, the way he’d suddenly become “busy” whenever I tried to plan anything together."He never loved y
Alex POV I had slept in the garden for the night. I wasn't sure when I just dozed off but it was the best sleep ever. Even better than anything the Manor could offer. Although it was plagued with the words of Michael, and Maria, yet it was still peaceful and great. Brushing off leaves from my clothes, I made my way back to the Manor, hoping to pack my things before anyone woke up.But when I opened the door to my room, Margaret was there, tears streaming down her wrinkled face."Oh, Mrs. Coleman..." she rushed towards me. "I'm so sorry. I'm so, so sorry...""Margaret-""I should have told you," she sobbed, wringing her hands. "About Mr. Coleman and... and that woman. But I thought... I thought if you knew while in the hospital..."I pulled the elderly woman into a hug. "It's okay, Margaret. You were protecting me.""I saw everything," she whispered. "For the past few days, I watched that snake slither her way into this house. Into your marriage. The way she'd come when you were awa
Alex POV My body ached all through the morning as I packed my clothes and every one of my belongings which wasn't all that much as I left back the things that Michael had bought for out of ‘Love’. A divorce letter had later come in around noon by the lawyer which I had signed without much of a second thought or any fuss. I really wanted to get out of this hell-hole. I wheeled my suitcase down the flight of stairs feeling exhausted in all ways than one. I caught Maria's figure waiting for me at the end of the stairs. Oh great. I thought trying to push down the rise of anger her presence filled me with. "Well, well, well," Her voice echoed through the foyer. "The lawyer just told me you signed the papers already. No fight at all? How disappointing."I kept walking, my grip tightening on my suitcase handle."What's wrong, Alex? Cat got your tongue?" She stepped in front of me, blocking my path. "I expected at least some drama. Some tears. A begging scene maybe?"I moved to step aro
Coleman Corp Headquarters – Dawn Flames licked the skyline as firefighters hosed down the ruins of Michael's empire, their water arcs catching the first light of dawn and fracturing it into ephemeral rainbows above the destruction. The acrid smell of burnt plastic and melted wiring carried on the cold morning air, mixing with the steam rising from the overheated structure. From where I stood across the street, the Coleman Corp logo—once illuminated in blue neon fifty stories above Manhattan—was now a blackened skeleton against the lightening sky.Reporters swarmed behind the police barriers, their satellite vans creating a secondary perimeter, their cameras and microphones thrust toward anyone who might have information. Their headlines were already writing themselves, scrolling across the bottom of live broadcasts on the screens visible through the media vans' open doors:ARSON SUSPECTED IN COLEMAN CORP INFERNO – INSIDERS CLAIM "REVENGE"I stood on the periphery, Griffin's hand clu
Manhattan Safehouse – 3:01 AM The pen felt like a blade in my hand, its weight disproportionate to its size, its purpose more dangerous than any weapon. The heavy parchment of the document lay spread before me on the kitchen table, illuminated by the single pendant light overhead that cast long shadows across the room. Michael hadn't moved from where he stood, his silhouette blocking the only exit, his broad shoulders filling the doorframe as completely as he had once filled my life.Three months of careful hiding, of sleeping in different locations, of burner phones and cash transactions—all undone because I'd underestimated his desperation. Because I'd believed, foolishly, that a man on the run from federal authorities would prioritize his freedom over his obsession."You really think I'd sign this?" My voice was steady, but my pulse roared in my ears like a freight train, the adrenaline making my fingers tingle around the silver pen he'd placed in my hand—the same pen I'd used to
Manhattan Safehouse – 2:47 AM The window alarm didn't trigger. The motion sensors stayed dark. The silent pressure plates beneath the imported Persian rug registered no intrusion. The thermal cameras mounted discreetly in the crown molding detected no heat signature beyond the expected patterns.But I woke anyway—to the scent of bergamot and betrayal.Michael stood at the foot of my bed, a silhouette against the Manhattan skyline visible through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the penthouse. The city lights behind him created a halo effect that was grimly appropriate—Michael had always cast himself as the avenging angel in his own narrative, the righteous force bringing judgment to those who defied him."You forgot," he whispered, his voice carrying that familiar blend of smug satisfaction and menace that had once made boardrooms fall silent, "I taught you how to disable every security system you own."He had. In the early days of our marriage, when I had still mistaken his controll
Lane International HQ – 3 Weeks Later The boardroom erupted into startled applause as Griffin's coding demo concluded, the screens around the room displaying the elegant solution he had developed—a cybersecurity algorithm that outmaneuvered every Coleman Corp defense system our team had been able to replicate. The lines of code seemed to dance across the monitor, a digital ballet orchestrated by hands still small enough to struggle with tying shoelaces."He's ten?!" The CTO, Marcus Chen, gaped at Griffin, then at me, as if suspecting some elaborate practical joke. Marcus had joined us six months ago from Google, bringing decades of experience and a healthy skepticism about the hype that often surrounded child prodigies. That skepticism had just evaporated before my eyes as Griffin's program systematically identified and exploited vulnerabilities that Marcus's own team had missed.Griffin adjusted his glasses with his index finger, a perfect mimic of my boardroom stance—the gesture I
Griffin's Bedroom – 11:08 PM The nightlight cast shadows of rocket ships across the walls as I sat on the edge of Griffin's bed, the starscape projector James had bought him rotating slowly overhead. The room smelled of graphite and apple juice—the telltale scents of my son's peculiar combination of artistic precision and childish appetites. Griffin's small hands clutched the drawing he'd sent Michael, the paper now creased from being folded and unfolded countless times, as if he was trying to reconcile himself with what he had done."Why this one?" I asked softly, careful to keep any judgment from my voice. When Maria had called to tell me Griffin had sent something to Michael's satellite phone—against her explicit instructions—I'd expected to feel anger. Instead, watching my son's solemn face in the dim blue light, I felt only a profound sadness for what he had lost. For what we had all lost.Griffin traced the falling man with his finger, following the pixelated outline with the
Private Jet En Route to Dubai – 3:22 AM Michael Coleman pressed a bloodied handkerchief to his split lip as the jet climbed through turbulent clouds. The G650 shuddered around him, the luxury cabin's warm lighting contrasting with the darkness that enveloped both the sky outside and his prospects. The handcrafted Italian leather seat that had once felt like a throne now seemed to mock him with its opulence. The metallic taste of failure coated his tongue—worse than the blood.He glanced at his reflection in the darkened window—disheveled hair, the purple bloom of a bruise forming along his jawline, the crisp white collar of his bespoke shirt stained crimson. He barely recognized himself. Just twelve hours ago, he had stood at the podium at Coleman Corp headquarters, assuring shareholders that the SEC investigation was "a minor administrative review." Six hours ago, he had been in his corner office, watching as federal agents seized servers and hard drives. Three hours ago, he had s
Reykjavik Server Farm – Midnight The Arctic wind howled through the open door like a living thing, carrying stinging particles of ice that bit at exposed skin and infiltrated the seams of even the most technical cold-weather gear. Negative fifteen degrees Celsius according to the readout on my watch, though the windchill made it feel much colder. My breath crystallized instantly, hanging in the air before being whipped away by the relentless gale that swept across the barren Icelandic landscape surrounding the facility.James disabled the last security panel with gloved fingers, the specialized equipment he'd brought bypassing the biometric scanner that would have required Maria's fingerprint or retinal pattern. The facility looked innocuous from the outside—a low-slung concrete structure nestled against the side of a dormant volcano, its exterior designed to weather the brutal conditions of an Icelandic winter. Only the satellite dishes and transmission arrays on the roof hinted at
Lane International Safe House – 4:47 PM The brownstone in Brooklyn Heights stood unremarkable among its neighbors, its weathered red brick and black shutters offering no hint of the state-of-the-art security system embedded in its walls or the bulletproof glass behind its vintage-looking windows. The deed was held by a shell corporation owned by another shell corporation, traced through seven layers of legal separation before connecting, tenuously, to a holding company that occasionally did business with Lane International.In security parlance, it was a ghost house. In my world, it was the only place I trusted to keep Griffin safe while the storm raged.Maria's knock came in our childhood rhythm—three quick, two slow. The code we'd used at boarding school in Switzerland when one of us needed saving from a cruel headmistress or a midnight interrogation about broken curfews. A pattern I hadn't heard in fifteen years, not since the night she'd shown up at my Manhattan apartment with a
St. Luke's Hospital – 2:14 AM The heart monitor beeped a steady rhythm as Griffin slept, his small hand bandaged where the IV Michael had tried to force into his vein had torn the skin. The bruising had already begun to bloom in purples and yellows, like a watercolor painting of violence on my son's fragile wrist. His dark curls—so like mine—were matted with sweat against the sterile white pillow, and the overhead fluorescents cast his face in a pallor that made my heart constrict.Outside the room, through the observation window, two NYPD officers in rumpled uniforms took James' statement for what seemed like the hundredth time. Their faces betrayed nothing as they scribbled notes, occasionally glancing at Griffin's sleeping form with the detached sympathy of men who had seen too many children caught in adult crossfire."Third time's the charm," James muttered when he finally joined me, rolling his shoulder where the bullet had grazed him. The bandage was already seeping through wi