Lyra stood at the window of her office, watching the reporters milling about the orphanage gates. Their cameras and notepads were constant reminders of the scrutiny they were under. Nothing seemed to discourage their vigilance, hungry for any morsel of gossip.
Caden's "charitable initiative" narrative swirled in her mind, a clever smokescreen that left her both relieved and uneasy. On one hand, it provided some explanation for the media frenzy. On the other, it felt like another layer of deception in a world already shrouded in secrets.
She sighed, her breath fogging the glass. The children needed protection. Yes, but at what cost? How many more half-truths would she have to weave before the tapestry of lies became too tangled to unravel?
A soft knock interrupted her musings. "Come in,"
