Chapter 85
Day Five
The alarm cut through the pre dawn darkness. Day Five.
The number pulsed in my mind as I swung my legs out of bed, heavier than any morning fog. Two days left.
My promise to Father lingered like a quiet ghost in the room, his expectant face so clear it felt as though he stood in the corner.
I'll give you one week.
Two days to turn my attic work into that key.
In the silent attic, I moved through my familiar ritual with sharpened urgency. I didn't just pack the boxes for The Green Study; I audited them. Every bottle of Clear Sky was held up to the window, checked for absolute clarity. Every tin of Calendula Salve was weighed, then weighed again. The Heartwood Tonic and Digestive Bitters were wrapped in layers of linen, secured against even the faintest clink.
This wasn't just a delivery.
It was my proof of concept. My professional signature.
