Prologue: February 11, 2026
The day began as if it were supposed to matter.
Fifty-seven years old. That’s what Mark told
himself when he woke up that morning. Fiftyseven. A number that should’ve felt like
something—earned, maybe even celebrated.
But instead, it felt heavy.
The house was quiet. Too quiet.
He sat at the kitchen table, staring at a cup of
coffee that had gone cold. The silence wasn’t
new. It had been building for years now, piece
by piece, loss by loss. First, his father. Then his
brother.
And now—
The phone call came before he could finish the
thought.
He didn’t rush. Didn’t panic. Somewhere deep
down, he already knew
Chapter 2