The sound of Parker's happy screech cuts through the theater, instantly recognizable even before Eliot is sprinting toward the front door. My heart quickens as I place a restraining hand on Milton's shoulder, keeping him back from whatever is happening in the vestibule."

"Stay here, Mr. Mastermind," I murmur, already moving toward the commotion with Harry close behind."

"What the...?" Harry starts to ask, but I shush him with a gesture as we round the corner and the scene unfolds before us."

There they are - Eliot with his hands on either side of Hardison's face, murmuring words too soft to hear, Parker bouncing excitedly beside them. My breath catches at the raw emotion on Eliot's face, the way he pulls Hardison into a fierce embrace that speaks volumes more than any words could."

"So...are they..." Harry whispers in my ear, before a coil of rope drops between us and Breanna comes sailing down with a shout of "Aleeeec!"

The moment breaks as Hardison greets his sister, but I can't take my eyes off Eliot. He knows I saw. The jubilation has faded from his face, replaced by self-recrimination and fear. I feel my heart rate accelerating just looking at him - the fight-or-flight instinct warring in his eyes as he realizes the secret is out."

When Parker finally notices us lingering at the edge of the group, she starts beckoning wildly. "Sophie! Sophie! Look! Hardison's back!"

I paste on a warm smile as I move forward, my gaze still locked with Eliot's. This is going to change everything.