Alone.
Alone. The word sat heavy in his chest the morning he left. His mother stood at the door, wiping her hands on her apron. His father pretended to read the newspaper. "I'll be back," he said. He didn't specify when. Neither did they. --- The city welcomed him with open arms and closed wallets. He worked. He climbed. He collected. Money came first. It arrived in crumpled notes, then crisp bundles, then digital numbers that moved between accounts without being touched. He stared at the screen and felt something that looked like pride but tasted like hunger. Success followed. Promotions. Titles. Corner offices with views that made visitors gasp. He learned to enjoy the gasp. It meant he had arrived. Reputation crowned him. His name appeared in lists. People wanted his advice, his presence, his money. He gave them advice. He gave them presence (billed by the hour). He gave them money (with interest). Somewhere along the way, his mother stopped calling. She learn...