Ares

Sunlight streamed through the wide glass windows of the Sterling Foundation headquarters, casting soft gold patterns on the marble floor. It was the same building that had once echoed with tension and silence. Now it buzzed with life — employees chatting, volunteers organizing supplies, and Atlas laughing with a group of youth from the rehabilitation program.

I watched him from my office window, leaning against the frame. He was different now — lighter somehow. The old arrogance ...