Mark had spent the last six years meticulously crafting his image of success. He had climbed the corporate ladder, secured lucrative partnerships, and finally felt he had achieved the status he always aspired to. His life appeared flawless to outsiders, a testament to ambition and strategic decisions. Yet, underneath this sheen of accomplishment lay a truth he never dared to confront: the hollowness that had begun to gnaw at his perfectly structured facade.
The morning was like any other—a symphony of routine and predictability. The doorbell’s unexpected chime sliced through the monotony, echoing in the vast silence of his designer-clad home. He sauntered to the door, expecting it to be another parcel delivery or a neighbor’s inquiry.
But as he swung open the door, time seemed to splinter.
