Morning arrived quietly.
Sunlight slipped through the wide glass windows of the penthouse, spreading slowly across the polished floor and climbing the walls until the entire living room was bathed in warm gold. The city outside had already begun its usual rhythm—cars moving through distant streets, buildings reflecting the early light, people starting their day.
Inside the apartment, however, everything was calm.
Jay woke up earlier than usual.
For a few seconds he simply stared at the ceiling, blinking slowly as he adjusted to the brightness of the room. His mind was still half asleep, but the thought came back to him quickly.
Today.
He exhaled softly and rolled onto his side, reaching for his phone on the bedside table.
12:07 AM messages.
He opened them.
The first one was from Michael.
Michael:
Happy birthday, idiot. You're officially twenty-two.
Jay snorted quietly.
The second message came from Marcus.
Marcus:
Twenty-two already? You're getting old.
