JULIAN

I set my phone down and realized I was exhausted, not just physically, but in a way that went deeper than that. I'd been fighting for so long, fighting, board and my father's shadow, and now, with the offer on the table, everything felt suspended, like I was holding my breath waiting for Adrian to respond.

I gathered my things and headed downstairs. Marcus was waiting with the car. "Take me to Claire's facility," I instructed.

The drive across the city was quiet. I watched the city pass by, trying to settle my mind, trying to stop replaying conversations and analyzing outcomes. By the time we arrived at the...