Kori Vaughn thought her past was buried the day she left the block. Thirteen years later, a key shows up, along with a name she hasn't heard since the night everything changed. The inheritance is real but so is the danger that's been waiting for her...
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SEPTEMBER 29TH, 2025 INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA 6:30AM
Excuse any mistakes
KORI POV
I didn't sleep much.
I closed my eyes around midnight, but I kept waking up every hour. Kept thinking about that damn envelope. About that key.
Who knew where I lived? How long had they been sitting on that property? Why now?
The last time I stepped foot in Chicago, I was thirteen. I'm 25, almost 26 now.
My alarm went off at 6:30. I didn't hit snooze. I just turned it off and sat up.
It was still dark out, the kind of gray-blue light that makes you feel like time's not moving yet. I rubbed my eyes and stayed still for a few seconds then I got up and started my routine.
I headed to the bathroom, brushed my teeth and washed my face. I moved slow, but not lazy. I wasn't tired just not fully here yet. I left the TV off. I didn't need noise this morning. It would just overstimulate me.
In the closet, I kept it simple. Charcoal gray pants, tucked-in black blouse, low black heels. I pulled my hair back into a slick ponytail, wrapped it into a bun, and laid my edges flat.
No jewelry. No makeup besides chapstick and a little mascara. I dressed like I didn't want attention, because I didn't. I liked being the one who got things done without people remembering what I wore or remembering me in general.
I made coffee but didn't drink it right away. I stood at the counter, looking down at the envelope still sitting under my keys. Same place I left it last night.
I didn't touch it. Just stared at it then I grabbed my badge, my phone, and my tote bag. Tossed the coffee in a thermal mug and walked out making sure to lock my door behind me.
My apartment was small. A one-bedroom, open layout, cheap rent in a decent area. I kept everything organized keys on the hook, shoes in the rack, groceries labeled in the fridge. Azaria used to make fun of me for it but it gives me a sense of control when I feel like I don't have any especially over my life.
She'd say, "Kori, you organizing like somebody gonna inspect you." I'd just shrug.
The drive to work took about twenty-five minutes with light traffic. I kept the radio low background noise, mostly. Talk shows, news, nothing distracting. I wasn't in the mood for music today.
My phone buzzed once while I was at a red light.
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