BIRD STANLEY POV:

I walked down the spiraling staircase, my suitcase wheels clicking softly behind me. Each step felt like I was treading on the ghosts of the last three years.

In the living room, Gavin Sharp, Archibald's Beta and second-in-command, was lounging on the sofa. He was clearly waiting for Archibald.

He saw me and my suitcase, and his eyebrows shot up. A glint of amusement lit his handsome, roguish face.

"Well, well. Is our Luna off on a vacation?" he asked in a light, teasing tone.

I ignored him and continued toward the main door.

Just then, Archibald came down the stairs. He'd changed into casual clothes, his face once again a mask of cool control.

He walked right past me as if I were a piece of furniture.

"She's throwing a tantrum," he said to Gavin, his voice low but loud enough for me to hear. "She'll be back in a few days."

Gavin let out a low whistle. "I'll bet you she doesn't last three days."

Archibald scoffed, pouring himself a glass of whiskey. "Three days? I'll bet one. You know she can't survive without me."

"What about the pup you lost?" Gavin asked suddenly, his tone turning serious for a moment. "Aren't you a little sorry?"

Archibald's hand paused. He then downed the whiskey in one gulp and slammed the glass onto the table.

"It was an unexpected nuisance," he said, his voice devoid of all emotion. "It's better this way."

That sentence pierced through the numbness. The last bit of warmth in my soul evaporated. I gripped the handle of my suitcase, my knuckles turning white.

I didn't linger. I pulled open the heavy front door and stepped out into the crisp autumn air. The cold wind on my face was a welcome shock, clearing my head.

I got into the waiting taxi I had called with my own savings.

As the car pulled away, I watched the magnificent prison I once called home shrink in the rearview mirror until it was gone.

My phone buzzed. A notification from my banking app.

A transfer of $50,000,000 had been completed.

I stared at the long line of zeros. There was no joy, only a bitter, biting irony. This was the price of three years of my life.

I didn't close the app. Instead, I navigated to my phone's alarms.

At the very top was a daily alarm set for 6:30 AM. The label read: "Archy's breakfast and morning coffee."

For three years, I had woken up to that alarm without fail. I'd prepared his breakfast and coffee by hand, just for the chance to see him for a few moments before he left for work.

Most days, he would just grab the sandwich and walk away without a word.

I stared at the label for a long moment.

Then, my thumb moved decisively over the screen.

Delete.

A confirmation box popped up. Are you sure you want to delete this alarm?

Yes.

From now on, my mornings belonged to me.

I took the wedding ring-that priceless, cold piece of metal-from my pocket and slipped it off my ring finger. It was loose. I had lost weight.

I didn't throw it away. I put it in my coat pocket with the signed Rejection agreement. It was a trophy. Proof of my escape.

I leaned my head against the cool glass of the window, watching the city lights blur past.

I didn't know what the future held, but for the first time in three years, I felt like I could finally breathe.

I opened my contacts and found a name I hadn't used in a long time: Kendal Beach.

I sent a short text.

"Kendal, it's me, Bird. I'm out. I need to talk."