Chapter 12:

The Breaking Point

Jace’s POV

The rain was relentless. It hammered against the office windows like it was trying to break in. By 8:30 PM, most people had already left, but I was stuck finishing the final client deck for a morning presentation. My phone buzzed.

Alex: Still here? This report is murdering me. Rain’s too heavy to leave anyway.

Jace: Same. Lobby in 10? We can wait it out together.

Alex: Yeah.

The building felt eerily quiet as I rode the elevator down. Maintenance had put up a sign earlier about “intermittent issues” after the last power flicker, but I ignored it. When the doors opened on...