The corporate tower smelled of ozone and polished glass.
It smelled like the place my grandfather had built with a handshake.
I had spent most of my life in that building.
That morning, I felt like a stranger walking into my own home.
A security guard gave me a cautious nod.
“Ms. Hayes, the boardroom has been prepared.”
“By whom?”
“Your guest has arranged coffee and pastries.”
I didn’t ask which guest.
I already knew.
The elevator climbed in silence.
In the mirror, I barely recognized myself.
Blue blouse.
Black trousers.
A single gold necklace Dad had given me for my twenty-fifth birthday.
I hadn’t worn it in years.
I had removed it the day Daniel left the house for the final time.
That morning, I put it back on.
As armor.
As a warning.
The elevator opened onto the executive floor.
The boardroom doors were closed.
Behind the frosted glass, I heard a voice I had never heard in person but knew from the recordings.
Claire.
