Finally, a listing caught his eye: a sprawling, modern mansion nestled on the outskirts of the city. It was just far enough from the chaos of downtown but close enough for convenience.

    The pictures showed an open floor plan, high ceilings, a pristine kitchen, and a massive backyard complete with a pool and garden.

    The asking price? $1,050,000.

    Ethan tilted his head, letting the idea settle. It wasn''t cheap, but it wasn''t out of reach either. He had earned this.

    Without overthinking it, he hit the call button and was greeted by a friendly real estate agent named Julia.

    They agreed to meet at the property later that afternoon for a tour.

    The drive to the mansion was surprisingly peaceful. Ethan felt the cool breeze as he rode his motorcycle along the winding roads leading out of the city.

    The closer he got, the more the scenery changed — tall buildings gave way to tree-lined streets and open skies.

    When he pulled into the driveway, he was greeted by Julia, a professional-looking woman in her early 30s with a clipboard in hand and a welcoming smile.

    "Mr. Grey?" she asked, extending her hand.

    "That''s me," Ethan said, shaking her hand.

    "Great to meet you. Shall we take a look?"

    Ethan nodded, following her up the stone path to the front door.

    The moment he stepped inside, Ethan felt an overwhelming sense of space.

    The foyer was grand, with polished hardwood floors that stretched into an open-concept living area. Massive windows let in streams of natural light, making the space feel alive.

    Julia led him through the house, pointing out every detail.

    "This is the living room," she said, gesturing to a space large enough to fit three of his current apartments. "You''ll notice the custom-built fireplace and the recessed lighting in the ceiling."

    Ethan nodded, running his fingers along the cool stone mantle of the fireplace.

    He set the phone down and leaned back against the headboard, his thoughts drifting to what lay ahead. The mansion wasn''t just a symbol of his success — it was a stepping stone.

    A place where he could dream bigger, plan smarter, and build something even greater.

    #####

    Ethan stood outside his dingy apartment building, the faint hum of the morning city bustling around him.

    The keys to his unit jingled in his hand, their sound oddly satisfying. Today was the day. No more cramped rooms, leaky faucets, or the constant stench of the neighbor''s questionable cooking.

    He was done. Done with it all.

    He walked up the uneven steps, each creak of the wooden planks feeling like a small victory. As he reached the landlord''s office, Ethan straightened his jacket, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.

    The landlord — a short, balding man named Mr. Grayson — was hunched over his desk, squinting at a pile of paperwork.

    Ethan tapped lightly on the doorframe.

    "Grayson."

    The man looked up, his small eyes narrowing when he recognized Ethan. "What is it now? Rent''s not due for another week."

    Ethan stepped inside, tossing the keys onto the desk with a clatter.

    "I''m moving out," Ethan said simply.

    Grayson blinked, his confusion quickly morphing into irritation. "What do you mean, you''re moving out? You barely scrape by paying rent as it is. Where the hell are you gonna go, huh? Back to sleeping in the gutter?"

    Ethan chuckled, leaning against the doorframe. "I''ve got a place. You don''t have to worry about me anymore, Grayson. Consider this my final goodbye."

    Grayson scoffed, standing up from his chair. "A place? You? Don''t make me laugh. You''re just like all the other deadbeats in this building. Always talking big, but when it comes down to it, you''re nothing. Where''s your place, huh? Under a bridge?"

    Ethan shook his head, the smirk on his face growing wider. He started to turn toward the door, but then paused, looking back over his shoulder. "You''ll hear about it soon enough. I promise."

    Before Grayson could retort, Ethan walked out, the door swinging shut behind him. He didn''t look back, didn''t give the man another second of his energy.