ODON'S PLANNED COMEBACK

Sleep eluded me as I tossed and turned in bed, the weight of the previous day pressing down on my chest. I could feel my thoughts spiraling, replaying every moment and every choice that had led us to this point. Finally, in desperation, I chose to take a sleeping pill. Slowly, sleep engulfed me, wrapping me in a cocoon of darkness, and I drifted off into a more peaceful state.

It was early morning when Salome's gentle voice roused me. "Mom, Deputy Commissioner Joe, Ross Erick, Patrick Ross, and Oscar Thomas are here to see you," she informed me, her tone a mix of urgency and concern.

I nodded, rubbing my eyes as I tried to shake off the remnants of sleep. "Okay, I will be down in half an hour. Can you instruct the maids to prepare breakfast and have cold drinks on standby? We are going to have visitors for a while," I replied, attempting to sound more composed than I felt.