Sophie's Narration
The video loaded slowly.
It was Junior Marcus, my brother.
Not Junior Marcus Lanzo the heir. Not the polished boy in suits my father showed to the board. Just my brother. In a plain black t-shirt, sitting in what looked like his old room at the estate. The one he used before he moved out.
He looked tired. His eyes were red, like he had not slept in days.
He smiled when the recording started. That smile broke me before he even said a word.
"Hey, Soph."
I covered my mouth. Katie grabbed my hand tighter.
"If you are watching this, then... yeah. I am long dead."
Eric paused the video and looked at me. "Do you want me to stop?"
I shook my head. I could not speak. I needed to hear him.
Eric pressed play.
"With the kind of life I live, Sophie, anything can happen at any time. I always knew that. I just didn't think it would be this soon. I left this message with a close friend. If Tony didn't get it to you, then I am sorry you had to find it another way."
