CHAPTER 3 – LEGACY

Six months later.

The boardroom overlooked the city skyline, sunlight pouring through floor-to-ceiling glass.

I sat at the head of the table.

My daughter slept peacefully in the bassinet beside me.

“Quarterly reports are exceeding projections,” Arthur said, smiling. “The press response has stabilized. Your leadership has restored confidence.”

I nodded.

“And the Morrison case?” I asked.

“Diane pled guilty,” he said. “Brendan testified. He’s banned from holding executive positions.”

I felt… nothing.

Peace, finally.

Later that afternoon, I stood in my private office, holding my daughter.

“You’ll never need to hide,” I whispered to her. “Never shrink yourself for anyone.”

A knock sounded.

Victor entered.

“There’s someone requesting to see you,” he said carefully. “Brendan.”

I thought for a moment.

“Five minutes,” I said.

Brendan looked older.

Smaller.

“I just wanted to apologize,” he said quietly. “Not for the company. Not for the money. For not seeing you.”

I nodded.

“I forgive you,” I said. “But forgiveness doesn’t mean access.”

He nodded and left.

That night, I tucked my daughter into her crib in the penthouse I had designed myself.

Outside, the city glowed.

Inside, my world was whole.

Protocol 7 had ended.

Legacy had begun.