Chapter 16 - The Call from Prison
One month before groundbreaking.
My personal phone rang.
An unknown number from the state penitentiary system.
I was about to press decline.
But half of me wanted to know what he wanted.
I answered.
"The state prison system has a collect call from inmate..."
The automated voice played.
And then, Tyler's voice came through the line.
"It's me."
His voice carried none of its former arrogance.
It was haggard. Desperate.
"I need money for an appeal. They're killing me in here."
I sat in silence.
Listening to the ragged breathing of the man who once thought he was a god.
"Are you listening? I'm your brother! You can't just leave me in this place!"
He started shouting.
Manipulation. Threats. Playing the victim.
It was all he had left.
I pulled the phone away from my ear.
Then, I slowly pressed the end call button.
I didn't say a single word.
No cursing. No gloating. No need for explanations.
I blocked the number.
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Absolute silence is the cruelest punishment for an enemy.
He ceased to exist in my world, forever.
