Chapter 1

I just wanted to disappear.

That was the only thought in my head.

I stood outside our bedroom door, the wood cool against my forehead.

Inside, Victoria, my wife, was talking.

Her voice was usually crisp, confident. Now, it was low, urgent.

"Liam, stop it. He could be home any minute."

Liam. Her paralegal.

"So? He needs to know you're not some broodmare, Vicky. That pregnancy scare? You told me you almost panicked."

My breath caught. Pregnancy scare? Victoria had told me she miscarried months ago, that it was my fault, my stress affecting her.

"I handled it," Victoria said, a sharp edge to her voice. "I told him what he needed to hear. Besides, I wouldn't have a child with anyone but Ethan. You know that."

A small, cool chime sounded in my mind, a sensation only I could perceive. The Legacy.

Statement: "I wouldn't have a child with anyone but Ethan." Truthfulness in this specific context: False.

The Legacy didn't offer opinions, only facts. Her statement about who she'd have a child with was a lie in that moment, with Liam. The context of the affair was enough.

My heart felt like a stone.

I pushed the door open.

Victoria and Liam sprang apart. Liam, young, too handsome, smirked. Victoria' s eyes widened, then narrowed.

"Ethan! You're home early."

Her voice was too bright. She rushed to smooth her dress, a dress I' d bought her.

Liam just watched me, a challenge in his eyes.

I remembered meeting him at a firm dinner. Victoria had introduced him. "Our brightest new paralegal, Ethan. Liam Walker." He'd shaken my hand, his grip firm, his smile easy. A snake.

"I was just discussing a case with Vicky," Liam said, his tone casual.

"Liam, perhaps you should go," Victoria said, her hand on his arm, a little too familiar.

I looked at Liam. "I told you, Vicky. He's not good for the firm. Too eager. Too... much."

Victoria had laughed it off then. "You're just jealous of his youth, darling."

Now, I just nodded. "Yeah. He should go."

I walked out of the bedroom, down the hall. I heard their hushed, urgent whispers behind me.

I went to my study. On my desk was the small, velvet box. Inside, a first-edition copy of "The Great Gatsby," her favorite, inscribed. Our anniversary was tomorrow.

The Legacy chimed again, a soft hum. Activation sequence initiated. Destination parameters required.

I closed my eyes. My mother' s face swam before me. Her pain, her quiet strength. She' d told me about the Legacy on her deathbed. "One time, Ethan. A clean break. If you ever need it."

I needed it.