The studio lot was quieter than it appeared on broadcast nights.
From the outside, the building passed for a warehouse—plain exterior, reinforced doors, security check-in under harsh lights. Inside, hallways led to different areas: wardrobe, makeup, soundstage, editing bays.
The medical series reached Stage Three, which meant the hospital corridors were rebuilt in sections that could be moved for different scenes.
Noah arrived before most of the cast.
The driver stopped next to the side entrance for main actors. Noah got out without waiting, feeling the cool air on his neck. He adjusted his coat cuff and walked inside at a steady pace—neither fast nor slow, like entering any office building.
The security guard at the desk straightened. "Morning."
"Morning," Noah responded, voice deeper than usual. Warm but careful.
The shoulder had taken longer to repair than anyone predicted. Surgery. Therapy. A stretch of silence from the press that lasted longer than expected.
