Alex stared at the ceiling of his hospital room, the hum of machines and the soft footsteps in the hallway the only sounds breaking the silence. His mind wasn’t on the pain that lingered from the accident. Instead, it was swirling with thoughts of FIVRMMO—the project that could change the world. He knew it wasn’t just another leap in virtual reality; it was something far bigger. The kind of innovation that could reshape everything.
He could still picture the blueprints in his head, the algorithms, the architecture, all the pieces coming together. But the truth weighed heavily: Metropolis was a jungle, and something as revolutionary as FIVRMMO wouldn’t be allowed to thrive here. Too many powerful forces would see it as a threat. He needed space, time to recover, and somewhere beyond the city’s reach to build.
The smell of freshly peeled oranges broke his reverie. He looked over to see his mother seated next to his bed, methodically peeling the fruit, her fingers moving with practiced care. She offered him a small, reassuring smile before handing him a slice.
“Eat,” she said softly. “You need your strength.”
Across the room, his daughter played quietly with a tablet, her attention drifting occasionally to the rhythmic beep of his heart monitor. Alex smiled at her. The simple presence of his family grounded him, and after all the chaos of the past few weeks, he realized that being with them was the only thing that truly mattered.
Just as he was about to speak, Marc walked in, his lawyer’s briefcase swinging slightly in his hand. Marc had been at Alex’s side since the accident, handling the legal fallout, but today there was something different in his expression. His eyes had that keen edge that Alex had learned to recognize. It meant trouble—or opportunity, depending on how you looked at it.
“Alex,” Marc said, his voice clipped and businesslike. “We’ve got a visitor. A corporate representative from the car company that hit you. They’re here to… discuss terms.”
Alex raised an eyebrow. He knew what this meant. The company wanted to avoid a lawsuit, maybe offer some settlement to keep him quiet. He sighed.
“Dr Morgan’s,” the man began smoothly. “I’m here on behalf of the company to express our deepest regrets for the incident and ensure that you’re well taken care of during your recovery.”
Alex nodded slightly, motioning for him to continue.
The representative shifted slightly. “Our company values safety, and we take full responsibility for what happened. We hope to resolve this matter amicably. Is there anything we can do to assist you during this time?”
Alex leaned back, considering. He glanced at his mother and daughter, then at Marc, who was practically vibrating with anticipation. He could already see the angles Marc was calculating, the potential for a drawn-out battle that could net them millions. But Alex didn’t want that. What he wanted was peace, a chance to regroup, and a way out of this city.
“I want to go to Serrano,” Alex said finally. “To the hospital there. It’s where my ex-wife and daughter are based. I need time to rest, and I need space to think about my next steps.”
The representative nodded slowly. “We can arrange transportation for you to our Serrano branch. We own several transportation services, and we’ll make sure you’re transferred comfortably.”
Alex gave a slight smile. “That would be appreciated.”
The man’s expression softened, but there was still a formality to his tone. “Of course, we would ask that in return, you agree not to pursue any legal action against the company. We can draft a document releasing us from further responsibility.”
Marc immediately stiffened. “You think you can just—”
Alex held up a hand, cutting him off. He wasn’t the same man he had been before the incident with his teacher. He didn’t sign contracts impulsively anymore, especially not NDAs meant to silence him. But at the same time, this wasn’t a battle he needed to fight. Not right now.
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He turned to Marc. “Can you take a look at it? Make sure there’s nothing that puts us at risk.”
Marc narrowed his eyes but nodded, clearly frustrated. “I’ll make sure they don’t pull any tricks.”
The representative visibly relaxed as Marc took the NDA from him and began scanning through it. Alex leaned back in his bed, already feeling lighter. He didn’t care about the politics of Metropolis anymore. The city was too small for his ideas, too focused on the now. FIVRMMO was something beyond any of this, something that couldn’t be built in a place like this.
Serrano. That was where he needed to be. Away from the chaos, surrounded by the people who truly mattered. And once he was there, once he had time to recover, he would start building again. This time, without the interference of Metropolis.
Marc finished reading, nodded, and handed the papers to Alex. “It’s clean. If you want to sign, I’ll back your decision.”
Alex picked up the pen, his fingers lingering for a moment before he signed the document. He wasn’t running from this—he was moving toward something better.
Alex's thoughts were consumed by the multitude of tasks that needed his attention. The car company’s representative had assured him that they would handle his transportation to Serrano once he was fit to travel in a week. For now, he focused on tying up loose ends in Metropolis.
Even with his family by his side, his mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, none of them as comforting. The National Institute of AI, once a beacon of pride for him, was now nothing more than a reminder of betrayal. The institution had become a nest of sycophants and backstabbers, all too eager to take credit for his work and too quick to celebrate his fall. His former mentor, who had once been a guiding light in his career, had turned into a snake, slithering behind the scenes to push him out.
Alex’s jaw clenched as the bitterness surged. He’d had enough.
His fingers hovered over the tablet on his lap. The resignation letter was already drafted—a blunt, sharp end to his time at the institute. There was no room for sentimentality or second thoughts. The message read simply:
I hereby resign from my position at the National Institute of AI, effective immediately. Consider this my final communication with your organization.
No pleasantries. No farewells. Just the facts.
He tapped “send,” and with that, a chapter of his life closed. Petty? Maybe. Necessary? Absolutely. He had no love left for that place or the colleagues who had resented him, envied his talent, and tried to pull him down at every opportunity. They had no idea what true innovation looked like.
His mother glanced over as if sensing the tension in the air. "What was that about?" she asked softly, not missing a beat as she peeled another slice of orange.
"Just cutting ties," Alex muttered. "No use holding on to something that’s already poisoned."
Next on his list was selling his apartment. The modern space had served him well, but it was now a relic of a past he was eager to leave behind. He’d arranged for a real estate agent to handle the sale, aiming for a smooth transition.
Alex also tackled the cancellation of various subscriptions and services—utilities, memberships, and other ties to his current life. The process was meticulous but necessary for his fresh start.
His thoughts occasionally drifted to Victor, with whom he had contacted saying that he was ready for the sale.
Samantha, noticing her father’s preoccupation, looked up from her spot by the window. A soft smile touched her lips as she said, “I’m really glad we’re moving to Serrano. It’ll be nice to be together and start fresh.”
Alex managed a smile in return, grateful for her support. “I’m glad too, Sam. It’s going to be a new beginning for us.”
The soft knock on the door drew Alex’s attention.
“Alex,” Marc began, his tone a blend of professionalism and concern. “The NDA has been reviewed. Everything seems standard, but I’ll ensure that everything is in order before you sign. We’ll push for a fair settlement, but I understand your focus is on moving forward.”
Alex nodded appreciatively. “Thanks, Marc. I trust you’ll take care of it. My priority now is to prepare for the move and focus on recovery.”
Marc nodded in understanding. “I’ll handle the legalities. Just concentrate on getting better and getting ready for the transition.”
As Marc left, Alex turned his attention back to his family. Despite the challenges and the hectic preparations, he found comfort in their presence. Samantha’s happiness about the move and his mother’s steady support provided a semblance of normalcy amidst the chaos.
Alex continued with his preparations, working through his list of tasks with a sense of purpose. The move to Serrano represented more than just a change of location; it was a chance for a fresh start and an opportunity to focus on his next steps.
With everything in order, Alex took a moment to appreciate the small but meaningful moments with his family. The road to recovery and the transition to Serrano would be demanding, but he felt a renewed sense of determination. For now, he was content to be surrounded by those he loved, preparing for the future with hope and resolve.