She was holding back tears. The past several years had held many moments like this, but she knew how essential it is for a woman in her position of power to conceal signs of weakness. And yet, the weight of what she was about to do would have crushed even the strongest of men.

She took a deep breath, let out a small sigh, and regained her composure. “We were so close to seeing what can be, unburdened by what has been,” President Harris thought. Sadness and defeat washed over her as she performed the final Presidential act: entering the nuclear launch codes.