Ethan’s POV

I reached the office before sunrise. The halls were halflit, quiet in a way that didn’t feel peaceful. Signs about masks and distance were taped everywhere.

I wasn’t there for the rundown. I was there for Katelyn.

The outbreak had taken her days and her nights. She slept in pieces, ate when someone reminded her, and walked from meeting to edit bay to studio without looking up.

She hadn’t said “birthday” once this week. She wouldn’t. So I decided to say it for her.

I ...