Ethan signed his name with a pen that felt heavier than it should have.

The paper lay flat on the polished table, thick with legal language, clauses, and consequences. Every signature was a door closing. Every initial was a part of himself he would never get back.

Across from him, three lawyers sat in silence. None of them rushed him. None of them tried to stop him.

They all knew this wasn’t a negotiation.

“Once this is finalized,” the senior lawyer said carefully, “you will no longer hold any controlling interest in the company. Your voting rights, dividends, and authority will be transferred entirely to Ms. Alyssa.”

Ethan didn’t look...