Yesterday morning. The tone already shifting. Less apology, more demand.
Have you moved out yet? You owe me this.
Yesterday afternoon. The threat clear.
You better have all your shit packed by next week...
Last night. After I'd already left. After I'd already made my choice.
Sadness settles over me. Heavy. Familiar. The kind of grief that comes from watching someone you love become someone you don't recognize.
This isn't who Henry used to be.
Or maybe it is. Maybe I just didn't want to see it.
I type out a message. Keep it short. Simple. Final.
The house is yours. You can move in. Good luck with everything.
My thumb hovers over the send button.
I press send.
The message delivers immediately. Blue checkmark appearing almost before I register the action.
Done.
The phone screen goes dark in my hand. My reflection stares back at me from the black glass. Blurred. Indistinct.
A tear rolls down my cheek. Hot. Unwanted. I don't wipe it away. Just let it fall.
14
ARTAN
Luan and I are in the office. Papers spread across the desk in organized chaos. Maps. Contact lists. We're strategizing. Adjusting plans. Moving forward now that we have the Council's support, tentative and conditional as it is.
The morning light filters through the half-closed blinds, casting lines across Luan's face. He looks better than he has in weeks. Stronger. More present. His fingers tap a steady rhythm against the armrest of his chair, controlled and deliberate.
"Erion is on his way. We need to finalize tonight."
Luan nods once. "The Irish warehouse on the south side. Fast. Clean. Send a message."
"Agreed."
We've already discussed the details. Who goes in. Who stays back as backup. What gets destroyed. What gets left behind as warning. The kind of planning that's become second nature after years of this life.
Tonight changes things. Solidifies the alliance with Erion in blood and action. Proves to everyone watching that we're serious. That the Krasniqi clan isn't weakened by transition, isn't vulnerable despite the leadership change.
A knock at the door interrupts my thoughts.
"Come in," Luan says.
The door opens. Lily appears in the doorway, hesitant in that way she has. Like she's still not sure she's allowed to interrupt, still testing the boundaries of her place here.
"Breakfast is ready," she says. Her voice is soft, careful not to intrude. "It's a beautiful morning. Would you like to eat outside?"
I hesitate. Look at Luan. His eyes are still sensitive to bright light despite the improvements. It can trigger headaches that leave him disoriented and irritable.
