#Chapter 168: Behind the Scenes

DEREK The crowd had already begun to gather when I arrived. The courtyard in front of the new Rogue Foundation was cordoned off with velvet rope and lined with silver-and-navy banners. The city's emblem flew alongside Moonstone’s and Red Ridge’s on tall flagpoles, and a heavy length of ribbon stretched across the main entrance, fluttering in the late morning breeze. I spotted Aiden almost instantly. He was bouncing on the balls of his feet beside Elena, who stood in front of the building like she’d been carved from light and purpose. Jacob stood beside her, his hand at her lower back, leaning close to say something that made her laugh. I kept my distance. Aiden had invited me. Personally. Said it wouldn’t be the same without me. Said he wanted me there because it was a big day for his mom, and she deserved everyone important to her around her. So I came. But I stayed at the edge of the event, nodding politely at the city officials I recognized—mostly members of the coun