The dawn over Zurich did not break with a golden glow; instead, it arrived as a suffocating grey shroud. A thick, icy mist rolled off Lake Zurich, snaking through the narrow cobblestone alleys of the Altstadt and clinging to the spires of the Grossmünster. Inside the penthouse, the silence was no longer a sanctuary. It was a countdown. The air felt heavy, laden with the scent of lilies and the sharp, chemical undertone of the specialized adhesive Kai had used to seal his side.
Elea stood before the floor to ceiling windows, watching the fog swallow the city. She was already wrapped in a silk robe, her hair pinned back in preparation for the stylists. In the reflection of the glass, she saw Kai emerge from the hallway, dressed in his trousers and a crisp undershirt. He moved with a delibe
