The storm clouds over Riverton finally broke the next afternoon.Rain had stopped, but the air still carried the smell of wet pavement and sea salt.Inside the café, Noah stood near the table holding his small drone carefully in both hands.He looked excited.And nervous.“Mom,” he said, “today is the test.”Lily raised an eyebrow.“The test?”“Yes.”“The first flight.”She wiped her hands on a towel and walked closer.“You built that thing from spare parts.”“That’s how inventions work.”Lily smiled slightly.“Where did you hear that?”“Dad.”That made her pause for a moment.Noah had started saying that word so naturally.Like Ethan had always been part of his life.“Okay,” she said finally.“Let’s see what it can do.”Noah grinned.Across town…Inside Ethan’s office, Oliver stood near the screen reviewing security feeds.“We’ve got eyes on the school, the apartment, and the harbor road,” he said.Ethan looked at the tablet.“Victoria?”“Her car was seen near the marina again.”Etha
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