On the drive home, Evelyn set her trophy aside, already absorbed in her toys again. Eleanor nced back and saw her daughter''s indifference to the honor she''d just received; a gentle relief washed over her. After all, children should be allowed to stay children at heart.


    Goodwin Manor.


    Gina and Magdalen had just finished watching the live broadcast, both beaming with pride. Seeing Evelyn, so young andposed on stage, performing with such poise, filled them with satisfaction.


    "But why was Vanessa there? And how didn end up inviting her to be a judge?" Magdalen asked, her voice heavy with resentment.


    Gina was puzzled too. She''d assumed Vanessa was still in Drexford-her daughter had said as much thest time they talked. Couldn really have brought her back just to judge his daughter''spetition?


    "I''m not sure either. But Evelyn was wonderful today. Maybe one day—"


    Before Gina could finish, her mother-inw cut her off. "Evelyn''s meant for greater things. The arts are just to shape her character. She''s not about to make a living off the piano."


    Gina paused, then nodded in agreement.


    "That''s right! I''d love to see her follow in Ellie''s footsteps-go into science, be a brilliant researcher." Magdalen''s face shone with hope.


    Gina smiled and nodded. "That would be wonderful."


    "What''sn even up totely? He''s never around. Don''t tell me he''s off with her again!" Magdalen scowled, realizing it had been weeks since she''d seen her grandson.


    Gina knew from her daughter thatn had been away on business in Drexford. Now that Vanessa had shown up at Evelyn''spetition, she couldn''t say for sure whether her son and Vanessa were together. But to avoid upsetting her mother-inw, she replied, "Mom,n''s twenty-nine. He''s got his own career to worry about."


    "Is he busy working or just busy chasing after women?" Magdalen''s disapproval was written all over her face.


    Gina couldn''t help the bitterness that crept into her tone. "It''s his father''s fault for leaving so soon, dumping all that responsibility onn. How could he not be exhausted, not be busy?"


    Magdalen turned to her daughter-inw, her expression shadowed with old grief. "Mr. Sutton did everything he could, back then-"


    A sh of resentment crossed Gina''s eyes. "If he''d really done all he could, I wouldn''t still be upset."


    "But your signature was on those surgery papers, too. There were always risks, and if he hadn''t gone through with it-" The memories clearly unsettled Magdalen, who was suddenly ovee and began coughing.


    Gina snapped out of her own thoughts and hurried over to rub Magdalen''s back. "Alright, Mom, let''s not talk about the past anymore. Try to calm down."


    Magdalen''s breathing steadied. She looked up at Gina and said, "Don''t put all the me on Eleanor. You shouldn''t—andn shouldn''t, either." She sighed. "None of us should."


    Gina dabbed at her eyes. "What else can I say? He was Evelyn''s grandfather, and he''s gone. No matter how much I resent it, there''s no one left to me."


    "And let''s not bring this up in front of Ellie again," Magdalen said quietly. "After she andn divorced, she''s drifted further and further from us. I still hope they''ll get back together one day." Her gaze was wistful.


    Just then, Serena walked through the door, catching thest part of the conversation. She rolled her eyes. "Grandma, you''re always wishing they''d get back together, but have you ever considered what my brother wants?"


    Magdalen turned to her granddaughter, giving her a disapproving look. "Why are you out sote again? A young woman shouldn''t be running around every night."


    Serena had indeed been partying more than usualtely. With her new circle of friends, dinner invitations and parties had be routine. But even after a long day of fun, she couldn''t shake the emptiness inside. She was just chasing a distraction, nothing more.