You either control the story or get eaten by it.”

~$~

~Reo’s~

That’s what Marcus Lane always says.

And right now, I’m losing control.

The thunder outside isn’t just noise—it’s a reminder. A reminder that everything I’ve built is on the verge of collapsing under perception. And perception is power in our world.

I stand by the floor-to-ceiling window in my penthouse study. My arms are folded as my eyes watch the rain slide down the glass. Below, the lights of the city shimmer like they don’t give a damn about my problems.

The family lawyer clears his throat again. He’s been droning on for the past ten minutes. Eugene...