The announcement settled faster than Elara expected.
By the next morning, her name hadn’t appeared in headlines, but it lived between them. In pauses during meetings. In glances held a second too long. In the way conversations stopped when she entered a room.
People didn’t need confirmation.
They felt it.
The car ride downtown was quiet. Elliot reviewed documents on his tablet, his focus divided but controlled. Elara watched the city pass by, noticing how familiar streets now felt exposed, as if the glass separating her from the outside world had thinned overnight.
“You won’t be required to speak today,” Elliot said, eyes still on the screen. “Standing with me will be enough.”
She nodded.
“I understand.”
He looked at her then, briefly.
“Do you?”
“Yes.”
The venue was already prep
