I Sat Alone in My Mansion on My Birthday Until The Cleaning Lady’s Daughter Walked In and Asked the One Question I Couldn’t Answer

The Silence of Gold

Victor Hale stared at the twelve empty chairs. Each one was a silent witness to a bridge he’d burned or a friend he’d bought and sold.

“The cake is ready, Mr. Hale,” the butler whispered, his voice as mechanical as the grandfather clock in the hall. “Shall I light the candles?”

“Does it matter?” Victor’s voice was like gravel. “The continue reading …