I read the words twice, hoping they would change.

They did not.

“She is fast,” I whispered.

Ryker stared at the screen, his jaw set so tight the muscles in his cheek twitched.

The rain lashed against the kitchen window, a relentless drumbeat in the quiet house.

“She has a public relations firm on retainer,” Ryker said, his voice flat.

He scrolled down the article with a slow swipe of his thumb.

I leaned over his shoulder, reading the quotes Marissa Vale had given to the reporter.

“My children are grieving the sudden loss of their father,” the quote read.

“A powerful man took advantage of a chaotic airport to snatch them from their family.”

“I only want them home where they belong, safe from predatory corporate figures.”

“She abandoned them,” I said, my voice rising.

“We have the airport police officer who saw us take them for their own safety.”

“The officer saw us take them from a gate agent, Evelyn,” Ryker replied.

“Without a legal custody order, it looks exactly like what she is claiming.”

“The public will believe her.”