"Mrs. Goodwin," the stage manager called over, "you can take Evelyn to the front to watch the rest of the show. When thest child finishes performing, just bring her backstage again."


    Eleanor nodded. As she turned, she sawn already heading out with Evelyn in his arms, so she followed them to the auditorium. Evelyn nestledfortably withn, watching the next performers from hisp.


    Up at the judges'' table, Vanessa nced back and shed Evelyn a warm smile.


    Evelyn waved her little hand in return, then soon wandered back to Eleanor''s side, where her mother offered her some water and a small snack.


    All fifteen children took their turns onstage, and after the judges tallied their scores, Evelyn was awarded second ce.


    As the three winners lined up to ept their prizes, Evelyn, the smallest of them, stood out. To everyone''s surprise, Vanessa herself stepped forward to present the awards.


    Crouching down, Vanessa handed Evelyn a silver trophy and whispered


    something. Evelyn, with a delighted pout, leaned in and kissed Vanessa on the cheek.


    Seeing this, Eleanor''s anger red she nearly marched up onstage herself, but managed to rein in her emotions.


    She turned to re atn, just as he looked her way. In the dim light, Eleanor''s icy resentment shot straight at him;n''s gaze was unreadable, somethingplicated and distant.


    A littleter, Eleanor led Joslyn backstage, holding Evelyn''s hand. After exchanging a few words with the staff, they made their way out.


    In the corridor by the exit, Xavier waited with Vivian, who hugged a bouquet of flowers. When she saw Eleanor and Evelyn, Vivian hurried over, holding out the blossoms. "Evelyn, these are for you!"


    "Thank you, Vivian!" Evelyn beamed, hugging her friend.


    "You did a wonderful job tonight," Xavier said, smiling down at Evelyn. "I''m proud of you."


    "Thank you, Mr. Vaughn," Evelyn replied politely.


    Eleanor turned to Xavier, gratitude in her voice. "Thank you for the flowers."


    Xavier''s gaze softened as he looked at her. "No need to thank me-it''s the least I could do." He added, with a meaningful nce, "To me, Evelyn and Vivian are like my own daughters."


    Before Eleanor could respond, a deep voice sounded behind them. "Xavier, when did you get back?"


    She turned to seen standing there, having clearly overheard.


    Xavier gave a slightly awkward smile. "Got backst week."


    Just then, the sharp click of heels echoed down the hall. Vanessa appeared, dressed in an elegant white gown, her perfume floating in the air-the same scent Eleanor used to catch onn''s clothes.


    Vanessa greeted Xavier first. "It''s been a while, Xavier."


    He nodded with a polite but distant smile.


    Vanessa then turned to Eleanor. "Evelyn performed beautifully tonight. I''m very pleased."


    Vanessa''s satisfaction came from her role as Evelyn''s first piano teacher, but to Eleanor, the words cut deep. Her hands clenched so tightly her knuckles turned white.


    Finally, Vanessa waved atn. "Ian, I''ll leave you to it. Goodnight."


    She turned, waving at the girls. "Goodbye, Evelyn. Goodbye, Vivian."


    With Vanessa gone, an uneasy silence filled the hallway. Eleanor said quietly to Xavier, "We''ll head out now."


    "If you''re going to the parking lot, let''s walk together," Xavier offered.


    Eleanor nodded, taking Evelyn''s hand as they left. Evelyn called back, "Daddy, hurry up!"


    "Let''s hold hands, Evelyn!" Vivian said, reaching out as they went down the steps. The two adults and two girls strolled hand in hand, the picture of a happy family.n lingered in the corridor, watching them from above as the golden light of sunset streamed through the stone pirs, stretching his shadow across the floor. He ran his fingers absentmindedly along his suit sleeve, longing to join them. But the memory of Eleanor''s cold, hateful re rooted him to the spot.


    Meanwhile, in a van pulling out of the parking lot, Vanessa spottedn by the pirs and told the driver to stop. She stepped out, gathering her flowing dress, and glided towardn like a butterfly, her hair and skirt catching thest rays of


    sun.


    From her car, Eleanor caught sight of Vanessa hurrying across the za ton, her gown billowing, her face aglow with a smile-a princess dashing toward her beloved prince.


    Not wanting her daughter to witness this, Eleanor pressed down on the elerator and sped away.