Chapter 1: Opening Image

The morning sun slanted through the blinds, casting thin golden stripes across the kitchen table where Mark sat, oblivious, turning the pages of his newspaper with the slow, methodical precision of a man who had all the time in the world. The coffee in his mug had gone cold hours ago, but he didn’t notice. He never did.

Susan moved through the house like a ghost, her bare feet silent against the worn hardwood floors. She didn’t bother with the lights—there was no point. The power bill was already past due, and the landlord had left another threatening note taped to the front door. *Final notice.