"My husband changed the locks on our mansion while I was at my mother’s funeral, texting me: “You took too long to grieve. Pack your things from the porch.”

The visitor's room at the county jail was cold, sterile, and smelled of heavy disinfectant. A thick sheet of scratched plexiglass separated me from the man I had once shared a bed with.

David sat on the opposite side wearing an orange jumpsuit. He looked broken—his hair was shorn, his skin was pale, and dark purple circles sat beneath his eyes. His hands were handcuffed to a metal loop on the table.

He picked up the heavy black plastic phone receiver. I picked up mine.

"Sarah," he rasped, his voice trembling. "Thank you for coming. I didn't think you would."

"You have two minutes, David," I said, my tone as icy as the room. "Tell me what you know, or I walk out."

David swallowed hard, pressing his forehead against the scratched glass. "Julian is insane, Sarah. When he realized you were going to buy the northern ports, he met with his security chief—a former black-ops contractor named Vance Vance—no relation to you, just a terrifying man."

"What did they discuss?"

"Julian gave him a mandate," David whispered, his eyes wide with genuine panic. "He told Vance that if you don't make it to the auction in Chicago on Monday... Sterling wins the port leases by default because there are no other qualified bidders."

I remained entirely motionless. "He's planning an interception."

"They know your flight schedule," David pleaded, leaning closer to the glass. "They know you use the private terminal at Midway Airport! Sarah, please... I know I was a terrible husband. I know I was greedy and selfish and stupid. But I never wanted you to get hurt! Julian told me you would just be pressured into a settlement! I didn't know he was capable of this!"

I studied his face carefully through the glass. For the first time in five years, I saw no arrogance, no ambition, no performance. I only saw a small, terrified coward who had finally realized the true nature of the monsters he had chosen to align with.

"Why are you telling me this, David?" I asked softly.

"Because... because you were the only person who ever truly gave me a chance," David wept silently, tears dripping onto his orange collar. "And I ruined it. Please... be careful, Sarah."

I set the phone receiver back onto its hook without another word, stood up, and walked out of the room.

Outside the facility, Marcus was waiting beside the armored town car.

"Was he telling the truth?" Marcus asked as I stepped into the backseat.

"Yes," I replied, looking out at the rainy street. "Julian Sterling is going to try to stop me from reaching Chicago."