Don''t underestimate someone like Rachel-she''s given Star plenty of trouble in


    the past."


    Joshua''s eyes flickered, and for a moment, he fell into an uneasy silence.


    Just then, a man''s calm, gentle voice sounded behind them.


    "Star."


    Ste turned to see Foreman standing beneath the dazzling lights.


    He looked almost too perfect-handsome, gentle-eyed, like a prince out of a fairytale.


    Abby''s voice brightened. "Foreman!"


    Ste felt herself caught off guard.


    Foreman walked over to join them, his steps unhurried.


    "Star. Abby. Joshua."


    Abby grinned. "Mr. Richards, you''re looking sharp tonight."


    Foreman offered a soft smile, then turned to Ste. "Congrattions, Star."


    "Thank you," Ste replied.


    Foreman exined his tardiness, "I''m sorry I''mte. Got held up on the way here."


    Abby, thinking of how Foreman had tried to have Leonard killed, felt both grateful and a little sorry for him.


    She understood Ste well enough to know there was little hope for Foreman and Ste to be anything more.


    Wanting to give them a little privacy, Abby shot Joshua a look.


    "Joshua, let''s give Star and Mr. Richards a moment alone. We''ll be back in a bit.”


    Without a word, Joshua''s longshes lowered and he slipped away, face unreadable.


    Once they''d gone, Ste finally spoke. "Foreman, I still haven''t thanked you for what you didst time."


    Foreman couldn''t meet her gaze. "Star... I owe you an apology.


    If I hadn''t insisted you stay at the hospital, Leonard''s people never would have had the chance to take you."


    He knew Ste had kept quiet about the kidnapping in the hospital.


    "It''s not your fault," Ste said gently.


    "If


    vi veadn''t protected me


    before,


    Leonard would''ve gotten to me long ago.


    Besides, you were hurt because of me. Looking after you was the least I could do."


    She paused, then added, “And... about Leonard. Thank you for helping me get justice."


    Foreman''s eyes darted away. "Leonard?"


    Ste lowered her voice. "He was shot at the signing, then stabbed in the hospital. You''re the one who sent someone to settle the score, weren''t you?"  ?wnovel


    Foreman''s lips parted, but he only lowered his eyes, neither confirming nor denying it, and quietly changed the subject.


    "Star, I brought you a gift to celebrate your homing."


    Along with a business contract, he''d prepared something special for her.


    He handed Ste the box. "Open it-see if you like it.”


    Ste lifted the lid.


    Inside was a beautiful crystal music box.


    On top, delicately carved, was a familiar little violin.


    Her breath caught.


    Nocturne Ste.


    She couldn''t help but pick it up, hands trembling.


    She had no idea how Foreman managed it, but the violin was a perfect replica of her own Ste, down to the tiniest


    Staring at it, her eyes stung with tears.


    When Leonard and his people left the vi, they''d taken her real Nocturne Ste with them-and destroyed it.


    Foreman, Neville, and Haynes had all tried to find it for her, but it was gone for good, beyond repair.


    Now, Foreman''s voice rumbled quietly beside her.


    "I know how much Nocturne Ste meant to you.


    It''s gone now, but I hope this music box can bring you a littlefort."