"Twenty-nine."Everyone at the table paused."Wait," Sarah said. "You're twenty-nine? And you built a sixty-five billion dollar company in two years?""Technically I started it at twenty-seven. So yeah.""Holy shit.""How?" Rajesh asked. "How did you—where did the capital come from? The expertise? The—everything?"Neo had prepared for this. "Cryptocurrency. Early Hitcoin positions. Got in around 2020. Diversified. Made smart plays. By 2023, I had enough capital to fund Ames Digital. And the expertise—I've been in tech my whole life. Software engineering. Trading algorithms. All of it.""That's insane.""It's lucky. I got in early. Before Hitcoin exploded. Right place, right time.""Still. Most people wouldn't know what to do with that kind of capital. You built something meaningful."Neo felt something warm in his chest. "Thanks. That—that means a lot."The game continued.Sma

"Yeah. I am. For the first time in—I don't know. Years maybe. I'm actually happy.""Then that's all that matters. Neo might be mysterious and complicated and whatever. But if he makes you happy—if he's good to you—then he's good enough for us.""Thank you. That—that means a lot."They hugged.Lyra left. Took a cab home.Found Neo on the couch. Going over seating charts."How was it?" he asked."Good. They interrogated me about you. I defended your honor. Vaguely.""What did you tell them?""That you're complicated but good. Wounded but healing. That you make me happy."Neo set the charts down. "Do I? Make you happy?""Yeah. You do. More than I thought possible.""Good. Because you make me happy too. And that's—that's new. Really new."Lyra sat beside him. "Three days. We're getting married in three days.""I know. Are you nervous?""A little. But mos

February 28th. 11:23 AM.Neo stood in the preparation room. Hands shaking. Tie crooked.Adam appeared. Fixed the tie without asking."You good?""No. I'm terrified. Two hundred people are out there. What if someone—what if they figure out—""They won't. They're here to celebrate. Not investigate. Breathe."Neo tried. Failed.'Two hundred and seven people. Ames Digital employees. Lyra's friends. All of them watching me. Looking at me. What if someone sees Noam instead of Neo? What if—'"Sir." Adam's voice cut through the spiral. "Look at me."Neo looked."You've survived worse than a wedding. You've built a sixty-five billion dollar company. You've outsmarted your enemies. You've earned this moment. Now stop panicking and go marry the woman you love.""When did you get ordained?"Adam grinned. "Last month. Online course. Surprise. I'm officiating your wedding.""What?"