The day he was fired, Manhattan left him no door open

Darren gave a thin smile. “Stories become evidence.” For a split second, Grant’s face tightened. Then he recovered his superiority. “You’re fired, Cole. Stop imagining you’re smarter than the room.” He turned away, shoes clicking on marble like a final ruling. Darren stood in the lobby while his phone began to vibrate. The landlord texted him first: pay two months of rent in three days or the apartment gets cleared. Then the credit-card company. Then Emily. She didn’t ask how his day had gone. She just said, “I moved to Brooklyn. I think we should split up.” “For how long?” “It’s not about time, Darren. I can’t keep waiting for someone who never gets back up.” The call ended before he found a reply.