I pushed the stroller into the cold night, the music from the gala fading behind me like a life I no longer belonged to.

But no one moved.

Because the system had already shifted.

I reached a quiet intersection three blocks away, the twins finally asleep, their breaths soft against the night wind.

I sat on a bench.

Opened my phone.

And watched the second phase begin.

Inside the gala, the doors locked automatically.

Smart glass panels dimmed into secure mode.

Access terminals reset.

Every executive badge in the room turned red.

Ryan’s included.