The Gilded Prison
**
Ethan awoke to the sensation of silk sheets against his skin, a far cry from the coarse blanket of the fisherman's cabin. He opened his eyes to find himself in an opulent bedroom, adorned with golden chandeliers, thick velvet drapes, and walls lined with intricate paintings.
He sat up, the weight of the unfamiliar body immediately noticeable. His hands were soft and manicured, adorned with a heavy gold ring on his right index finger. The reflection in the full-length mirror across the room confirmed it: he was now a middle-aged man with a sharp jawline, slicked-back hair, and piercing blue eyes. He was dressed in a tailored satin robe that screamed wealth and power.
"What now?" Ethan muttered under his breath, running a hand through his borrowed hair.
A knock at the door interrupted his thoughts.
"Sir, the board meeting is in an hour," a voice called out—a woman's voice, calm and professional. "Shall I prepare the car?"
"Uh... yes, please," Ethan replied, scrambling to sound confident.
He needed answers, and he needed them fast.
---
As he stepped into the dining room, he was greeted by a breakfast spread fit for royalty: smoked salmon, fresh pastries, exotic fruits, and a steaming pot of coffee. Two assistants hovered nearby, attending to his every need.
"Your schedule today is packed, Mr. Sterling," one of them began, handing him a tablet. "The board meeting at nine, followed by a luncheon with the mayor, and then your keynote speech at the Global Economic Summit."
Ethan's mind reeled. Mr. Sterling. That was his name now, apparently. A quick glance at the tablet revealed more—**Victor Sterling**, CEO of Sterling Enterprises, a multinational conglomerate. He was a man who controlled empires, yet the weight of this new life felt suffocating.
He pushed the tablet away. "Cancel everything after the board meeting," he said, attempting to sound authoritative.
"But sir—"
"Do it."
The assistant hesitated but eventually nodded. "As you wish, Mr. Sterling."
---
The boardroom was as grand as the rest of the estate. A massive glass table sat in the center, surrounded by executives in designer suits. Ethan took his place at the head, scanning the faces of the room.
"Good morning, Mr. Sterling," one of them began. "We're eager to hear your decision on the merger with Arcadia Tech."
Ethan's mind raced. Merger? He had no idea what they were talking about.
"I'll need more time to consider the implications," he said, trying to buy himself some time.
The executives exchanged glances but didn't press further.
As the meeting continued, fragments of Victor Sterling's life began to surface in Ethan's mind. It wasn't just wealth and power—it was isolation. A lonely man at the top of the world, surrounded by people who respected his title but cared little for the person behind it.
---
Later that evening, Ethan wandered through the sprawling mansion, its grandeur feeling more like a gilded prison than a home. He found himself drawn to a private study, its walls lined with books.
On the desk was a photograph in a silver frame: Victor Sterling, standing next to a young woman with bright eyes and a radiant smile. The warmth in her expression was striking. Ethan picked up the frame, and as his fingers brushed against it, another memory surfaced—a fleeting moment of joy, laughter echoing in a sunlit garden.
"Her name is Emily," Ethan whispered, the words coming unbidden. "She was his... daughter."
A pang of sorrow pierced his chest. Victor's life wasn't just one of luxury—it was one of loss. Emily was gone, and the pain of her absence was etched into every corner of the mansion.
---
As the night deepened, Ethan felt the now-familiar pull of exhaustion. He sank into the leather armchair in the study, his eyes growing heavy.
"Another life," he murmured, staring at the photograph one last time. "Another story."
When he woke, it would be somewhere else. Someone else.
---