The Inheritance of Shadows
Cassian’s phone buzzed sharply against the lacquered surface of the Long Island desk, vibrating with an intensity that betrayed the urgency of the moment. The screen blinked with a message from Arlo, his security chief: "We have movement. Data breaches detected. Media leaks traced to multiple foreign IPs."
Calla stood at the window, still clutching the envelope marked with her name, the revelation echoing through her like a slow, unfolding thunder. Her name is on the beneficiary list. Her name was on a birth record she hadn’t seen—and now—Calla Avery Bell.
“Cassian,” her voice broke the silence, hoarse and haunted, “I need you to tell me the truth. All of it.”
He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he crossed the room to a locked cabinet and withdrew a set of
