But Anthony was unaware that what awaited him was yet another plummet into a seemingly bottomless pit.

The previous evening had granted Claudia the deepest slumber she'd ever known. She awoke at half past seven the following morning, her sleep unbroken till then. Upon freshening up, she turned to her phone, discovering an unread message that was sent to her in the middle of the night.

“Claudia, victory will always elude you."

The message screamed Delilah, although she hid behind random numbers, a tactic typical of her cowardice.

Claudia, unperturbed by the words, gave it a mere glance.