[Elena's POV]

Nicole had pulled up a video on her phone.

A reporter stood outside City Hall, microphone raised, voice professionally urgent. Behind her, through the glass doors, Noah's broad shoulders were visible for exactly three seconds before his security closed around him.

"Mr. Marlowe! Is it true you filed an emergency legal acknowledgment?" a reporter shrieked, shoving a microphone toward his face.

Noah stopped. He turned his head, not toward the cameras, but toward the horizon, his jaw ...