Aurora frowned slightly. "Why would you think that? If I''d really been interested in him, I wouldn''t have handed this opportunity to you in the first ce."


    Simone broke into a radiant smile. "True enough. The men who pursue you are all heads of powerful families... You''re used to having that kind of attention."


    She paused, as if a thought had struck her.


    "Aurora, my brother took his position for you, you know. He''s always been loyal to you, putting your wishes first, and he''d support your ambitions and career without hesitation.


    As for Sellers... the Burtons have been through one scandal after anothertely. Mr. Williams is clearly displeased with them-there''s little chance he''d want you marrying into that mess.


    But if you were with my brother, you''d be my sister-inw-and you''d have the backing of the Gardner family behind you.


    You''d be both my sister-inw and my best friend. Who else would I help, if not you?


    You know I''m hopeless when ites to business, anyway.


    No matter if it''s the Lermans or the Williams family in the future, you''ll have every opportunity to shine."


    Aurora teased her, "Simone, you''re really smitten this time. I''ve never seen you talk about the future with anyone like this."


    Simone looked down, a shy smile curving her lips. "He''s exactly my type. And now that our families are a good match, there''s nothing standing in our way."


    Aurora smiled softly. "You''ve got a point there."


    Simone studied Aurora''s face for a moment, and seeing no sign of jealousy or regret, finally rxed.


    After all these years of friendship, she knew exactly what Aurora was capable of. Any man Aurora set her sights on was as good as hers-no one couldpete.


    If Aurora wanted to fight for him, Simone wouldn''t stand a chance.


    While the two women were deep in conversation, across the room at another table, Haynes and Keen were waiting and chatting quietly.


    Keen''s eyes sparkled. "Mom''s having a concert soon... I didn''t know she was even better than Rachel!"


    Haynes gazed out at the empty stage, a strange tightness in his chest.


    He could barely remember now why he''d ever chosen to divorce Ste for Rachel. Looking back, it was as if he''d been under some kind of spell.


    What did Rachel ever have that couldpare to Ste?


    He spoke quietly. "Keen, do you still wish your mom and I could be together?" In the past, Keen would have answered without he


    "Of course I do."


    But this time, he hesitated.


    "If you and Mom were together, but she turned back into how she was before and was unhappy all the time.. then maybe it''s better if you''re not together."


    Haynes frowned. "Even if that means she might be someone else''s wife someday?"


    Keen turned to him, puzzled. “Grandpa says that even if Mom bes someone else''s wife, she''ll always be my mom. That''ll never change.


    No matter what, she''ll never stop loving me."


    He looked up at Haynes.


    "Would you stop wanting me as your son just because you had another kid?"


    1.n


    Recently, Keen had been spending a lot of time with Skyler, and he''d grown much more thoughtful. Sometimes, the things he said didn''t sound like they belonged to a five-year-old at all.


    Haynes had hoped to use Keen as a way to reconcile with Ste, but he couldn''t bring himself to lie to his son.


    After a long silence, Haynes finally spoke. “Keen, I still want to be with your mom. Don''t you want that too?"


    Keen answered softly, "But Mom doesn''t want to be with you anymore."