The Night Before the Storm
Five years ago
The rain poured like a curse over the city skyline, blurring neon lights into streaks of sadness. Elina Hart stood by the hospital window, arms crossed tightly, watching as doctors fought to stabilize her father—the only family she had left.
Her phone buzzed.
One message. One name. One future crumbling.
"Hart Group has been merged. Effective immediately. New CEO: Aidan Blackstone."
She didn't cry. She didn't scream.
But something in her chest—something soft—turned to steel.