Chapter 19 – Cracks
Three months.
That’s how long the new regime lasted.
Debt piled.
Clients fled.
Two key executives resigned publicly, citing “directional differences.”
The press turned vicious.
Alex stopped smiling for cameras.
Reginald’s health failed—stress, the doctors said.
Victor flew back and forth, putting out fires he’d helped start.
Alex called me once.
Late.
Voice hoarse.
“Mom… the numbers aren’t—”
I let him talk.
He didn’t ask for help.
Not directly.
Just needed to hear a familiar voice.
I listened.
Said nothing.
Hung up.
Sophia watched me.
“You could end this.”
“I am ending it,” I said.
“By doing nothing?”
“By letting consequence do the work.”
She nodded slowly.
Understanding.
The board scheduled another emergency vote.
This time, to remove Alex.
Victor tried to block it.
Too late.
His own votes had scattered—creditors leaning on proxies.
The night before the meeting, Alex showed up at the penthouse.
Alone.
Rain-soaked.
Eyes hollow.
He stood in the foyer.
“I messed up.”
I looked at him.
Waited.
“I thought I knew better.”
He swallowed.
“Can I… come home?”
I stepped aside.
Let him in.
No lecture.
No conditions.
Just the quiet click of the door closing behind him.