Naomi’s Pov

It didn’t stay private for long.

Nothing ever did.

By midmorning, the building felt different. Not tense in the old way, but alert. Like people were noticing things they’d decided not to comment on. Cassian and I moved through the halls together, not touching, not avoiding each other either. That balance drew more attention than secrecy ever would have.

Rubio clocked it first. He didn’t say anything, just gave me a look and then glanced at Cassian. Not disapproval. Assessment.

Mara was subtler. She handed me a tablet during the briefing and let her fingers rest there half a second longer than necessary, eyes steady. A quiet check-in....