The room smelled of burnt coffee and old wires, like a machine working too hard. Screens glowed in the dark, their blue light flashing lines of code that danced like secrets. Declan Lee hunched over his desk, his tie loose, his hair messy, like he’d been chasing answers for hours. He looked wild, like a hunter following a trail.Suddenly, his eyes caught something—a strange number in the secure legal network logs. His fingers flew over the keyboard, the clicks loud and fast, as logs opened and timestamps flashed. His face tightened, his voice a whisper. “Wow…” he said, shocked.Mira slipped into the chair beside him, her trench coat rustling softly. “Declan?” she asked, her voice sharp with worry. He pointed at the screen, his finger steady. “Elise got into the secret files—Raina Cole’s memory records,” he said. Mira’s brows furrowed, like a storm cloud forming. “When?” she asked.He read the screen, his voice tight. “Saturday, 10:16 a.m.” He typed again, his hands quick
I sat in a small, dim clinic room, my heart racing with urgency, like a fire burning inside me. Papers and folders were scattered around, filled with medical notes and scratchy audio transcripts, their edges worn like old secrets. Dr. Patel, the memory doctor, flipped through his notes, his glasses glinting under the faint light. “These are Cazien’s words from his sessions,” he said, his voice calm but careful. “We didn’t pull them out—we pieced them together.”He looked up, his eyes kind but serious. “He said ‘Raina Cole’ in six out of seven memory flashes. His feelings were strong.” My chest tightened, like a rope pulling hard. “He knows you existed,” he said. I leaned forward, my voice low. “He needs more,” I said. “Give me the older scans, the unedited words, with dates and names.” He shook his head, his face heavy. “Those are locked—only legal papers can open them.” I wouldn’t give up. “I’ll get those papers,” I said, my voice firm. He looked away, his fingers tapping nervo
***************The dining room felt tiny, like it was holding its breath. I walked behind Cazien, our footsteps soft on the shiny marble floor. The walls were cold and smooth, gleaming like a mirror. In the middle of the table, a single purple orchid stood in a vase, but it couldn’t make the room feel warm. The table was ready for just two people: sparkling water glasses, soft white napkins folded neatly, and big windows showing the city’s twinkling lights far below.Cazien pulled out my chair with a gentle, careful motion, like he was afraid it might break. I sat down across from him, my eyes drifting to the bright skyline outside. I didn’t want to look at him yet, afraid the moment might slip away like sand. The city lights glowed like stars, making the room feel even quieter.He put both hands on the table, fingers spread wide. His breathing was slow, and his voice was soft, like a secret. “We’re still being watched,” he said, choosing each word carefully. “Everythin
I stood outside the big boardroom door, my heart pounding like a storm in my chest. I wasn’t sure if this was about winning or proving I belonged. My presentation—sharp, clear, and strong—waited on the table inside, ready to speak for me.Mira appeared next to me, her hair tied in a neat bun, her pantsuit smooth and perfect. She looked calm, like a still lake, and checked her shiny watch. Her blue eyes met mine, serious and steady. “Are you ready?” she asked.“I’m ready,” I said, though my throat felt dry as sand. I straightened my blazer, smoothing it with shaky hands. Mira nodded, her movement small and sure. “Don’t try to make them feel bad,” she said. “Show them they need you.” I nodded back, quick and firm.Mira pushed open the heavy door, and the room went quiet, like everyone held their breath.Inside, eight important people sat around a shiny black table that gleamed under bright lights. There was Interim Chair Delaney, arms crossed tightly, her face stern. T
“This has call logs, money transfers, and strange details from the day Cazien disappeared after the crash,” Declan said. “Also, a hidden phone number, tied to a secret Wolfe Logistics account, was used near a private clinic two days before they said he was moved.” My heart pounded, like a drum in my chest. “You’re saying Margot hid his transfer?” I asked, my voice shaky. Declan stared at me, his messy hair falling over his eyes. “I’m saying she planned a lot that day,” he said. “I think she made up the story about his memory. Maybe even paid the doctors to help.” I sat down slowly, the chair creaking under me. “That’s a big claim,” I said, my throat tight. He leaned back in my chair, like it was his own, crumbs from his protein bar dusting his wrinkled suit. “That’s why I didn’t tell Mira yet,” he said, his voice low, like a whisper in a storm. I opened the folder, my fingers trembling on the rough paper. The proof wasn’t perfect, but it was enough—enough to ask hard questions, enou
Elise walked into the sunroom like she’d been waiting outside, listening. Her navy jumpsuit was sharp and neat, tight at the waist, her gold hoop earrings sparkling in the soft morning light. Her heels clicked twice on the marble floor, loud and sure, as she stopped beside Cazien, close enough to claim her place. “There you are,” she said to him, her voice light, like a breeze, but her eyes scanned me like I was a problem to solve. “Margot’s waiting downstairs. Interviews in fifteen minutes. You forgot.” Cazien nodded once, calm and quiet, sliding his new glasses back onto his nose. “I’ll be down soon,” he said, his voice steady. Elise turned to me, folding her arms loosely, her smile small and cold, like ice that didn’t melt. “You’re still here,” she said, her words sweet but sharp. “That’s nice.” I held her gaze, my heart pounding but my voice even. “I had a conversation to finish,” I said. She tilted her head, her smile growing sharper. “Aw, remembering old times?” she said. “Be