Chapter 2

Later that night, the apartment felt cold and empty.

Jessica had left with Leo, "to make sure he gets home okay after the party."

Alex scrolled through his phone, a hollow feeling in his chest.

Leo' s Instagram story popped up.

A picture. Him and Jessica, clinking champagne glasses.

The caption: "Celebrating a successful partnership! To many more!"

Alex' s jaw tightened.

Tonight was also their anniversary. Their seven-year anniversary.

Partnership.

He put the phone down. The silence in the apartment was deafening.

Enough.

He picked up his phone again, but this time he dialed a different number.

Dr. Evans. His old university professor. Now a program director at a national aerospace research agency, a big one, somewhat secretive.

Dr. Evans had a standing offer for him, a five-year deep-space propulsion project, highly classified.

"Professor Evans," Alex said, his voice hoarse. "It's Alex Miller."

"Alex! Good to hear from you. Everything alright?"

"Yes, sir. About that offer... is it still open?"

A pause, then Dr. Evans' warm voice. "For you, Alex? Always. Are you sure?"

"I'm sure," Alex said, a strange sense of calm washing over him. "I accept."

They spoke for a few more minutes, logistics, a start date.

After hanging up, Alex opened his professional networking site.

He typed a short, precise message:

"Resigned from NovaFlight Dynamics. Engagement with Jessica Thorne terminated. Wishing her and Leo Maxwell all the best."

He hit post.

Then, he gathered his company laptop and access badge.

A discreet, dark government vehicle was already waiting downstairs, just as Dr. Evans had arranged.

Alex didn't look back.