As the elevator descended, I felt a strange calmness settle over me, as if a storm had finally blown through, leaving clarity in its wake. The city unfolded below, a sprawling mosaic of lights against the night, each window a glimpse into another life. None of it mattered now. My decision was made as Linda’s words still echoed in my mind.
When I stepped out onto the bustling street, the evening air was brisk and filled with the scent of rain. The laughter and music from the penthouse were now a distant echo, replaced by the rhythmic hum of the city. I walked towards the subway, each step firm with purpose. It was time they learned the value of humility, the true cost of their opulent dreams built on the foundation of my sacrifices.
The call to Mr. Henderson had been brief but decisive. He had been sympathetic to my plight, a trusted voice that had always guided me well. The withdrawal of my loan guarantee would trigger a cascade of consequences. The bank would come calling, and a financial unraveling would begin. My son and his wife, so enraptured by their glass kingdom, would soon discover the fragility of their empire.
