The next morning, Liam woke up to find himself alone on the bed.
The master suite was quiet, bathed in the soft, golden light of the early California sun filtering through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Lucy and Yanxia had already slipped out, likely to give him the space he needed to prepare for what was coming.
Liam stared up at the ceiling for a long moment. Then he let out a long, slow exhale, clearing the residual comfort of the previous day from his mind. The time for rest was over.
He didn't bother walking to the bathroom. He sat up, lazily raised his right hand, and snapped his fingers.
In a fraction of a millisecond, he was perfectly clean, his hair immaculately styled, and dressed.
He closed his eyes and reached inward, connecting with the interface that had defined his existence for the last eight months.
System, Liam called out, his internal voice steady and absolute. I'm ready. Let's get this over with.
[Acknowledged, Host.]
