C20 Ethan Reads His Name for the First Time

It was past 11:00 p.m.

The estate was silent except for the soft hum of cicadas outside and the rhythmic tick of the antique clock in the sitting room.

Ethan entered in his usual way—quiet, barefoot, a soft towel draped around his shoulders from his post-shower walk across the hallway.

He froze when he saw the folder.

It sat on the low table between the two armchairs