CHAPTER 028: THE PAST IS NOT FINISHED
I shut down the screen and let the room fall dark.
For a while, I just sit there.
No typing. No movement. Just the low hum of the estate around us and the weight of too many pieces finally starting to fit together.
I start thinking about five years ago.
That was the year I walked out of a hotel room and started building a life from scratch.
I picked a building and a name.
Decided where I was going.
At least, I thought I did.
I thought every decision was mine.
This file says something else.
Behind me, Dominic speaks quietly into the dark.
"You think this has something to do with you."
It isn't a question.
I don't turn around immediately.
"It does," I say.
My voice sounds steadier than I feel.
"The timestamp on the file isn't a coincidence." I stare at the reflection of the dark monitor in front of me. "They were inside my system before I even had a system."
Dominic stays silent, letting me continue.
