Chapter 21
Autumn returned to New York with crisp morning air, turning the leaves into brilliant shades of gold, amber, and crimson. Elena stood on her penthouse balcony, sipping a hot cup of black coffee while watching the sun rise over the East River.
The city was waking up, its endless rhythm humming with the promise of new ventures and unwritten opportunities. Her corporate empire was running like clockwork, her personal life was tranquil, and her spirit was entirely unassailable.
She placed her coffee mug down on the table, noticing a small, unmarked envelope resting quietly beside the glass. She hadn't heard anyone drop it off, and her private security system reported zero unauthorized perimeter breaches during the night.
May you like
With a cautious frown, she picked up the heavy cardstock envelope, sliding her finger under the unsealed flap to pull out the contents. Inside was a single, high-resolution photograph printed on glossy paper, showing the broken shards of the ballroom mirror.
Written on the back of the photograph in neat, unfamiliar handwriting were words that made her heart skip a beat: "The mirror was only the beginning; the final reflection is still waiting to be revealed."
