#Chapter 157: Announcements and Celebrations

DEREK The invitation came in a thick white envelope with Moonstone’s crest pressed into the wax seal. Elegant. Formal. The kind of envelope meant to make a statement. Inside was a handwritten note—Elena’s handwriting. “We’re hosting a celebration this Saturday to mark the founding of the Rogue Rehabilitation Foundation. Would love to see you there. Aiden’s excited, and the Council will be in attendance. Hope you can make it.” It wasn’t overly warm. But it wasn’t cold either. The fact that she’d written it herself, not had an assistant scrawl something generic… it meant something. I stood in my office with the card in hand, rereading the note even though I’d already committed every word to memory. Maybe this was the moment I’d been waiting for. A chance to reconnect. A chance to show her that I supported her cause, supported her, no matter how far away she’d felt lately. I dialed her number before I could talk myself out of it. She picked up on the third ring. “Hello?” H