The Five-Year Contract's End

lass felt cold in O

e y

five years wi

that morning. They sat, printed and neat

rate, a five-year merger of empires

erm w

usual, was

psister, had called him away hours a

ugh their silent N

ers, that' s

duled public appearances, smiles fixed for cameras. Ethan' s phone always buzz

tudy was her

l plans for buildings that would never be built. Michael Vance, her fianc

as the air s

friend, had c

xcitement from Austin. "I saw this musician, in some dive bar.

ife

nding, this felt like a sign

Walker money, independence. She would go

later that evening, tie loo

divorce papers on

sign these. So we can s

ang. Chloe.

s voice was tired but instant

cial media drama, a faked minor fender

distracted, his min

his signature on the bottom line of the top page

e was

signed document. He

. "He signed. Initia

lready planned. A q

d find N

e his patron, s

e a piece of

e, a fragile thread, b