The midday Tokyo sky was gray, like a bad omen suspended in the air. On the top floor of William's office tower, everything seemed to function normally—except his heart. He stood behind the large glass window, staring at the skyline of towering buildings, yet his thoughts were far away—lingering on Evelyn and the fragile moments they'd shared in recent days.

When his phone buzzed on the desk, he almost didn’t notice. But the name on the screen—Clarissa—made his brow furrow. He hesitated, then answered the call in a flat tone.

> “Clarissa?”

> “William,” her voice was soft, but slightly tense. “Do you have time this afternoon? I... I need...