The story broke at six fourteen in the morning.
Damian knew the exact time because he was already awake — had been awake since five, lying in the particular restless stillness of someone whose mind had refused to stay quiet — and his phone lit up on the nightstand at six fourteen with Lena's name and the message *it's out* and a link.
He sat up.
Opened the link.
The headline was measured. A legal publication — not a tabloid, not a gossip column. A publication that covered designation law and registry proceedings with the seriousness of people who believed these things mattered before the general public had decided to agree.
*Prime omega files first public challenge to family-initiated designation registration.*
*Damian Roberts, 26, challenges seven-year filing made without consent.*
His name.
His age.
