Chapter 155
Kelly could feel it-clear as day. Carter was drifting away from her.
But it was Nate who spoke up first.
“That Shaluna violin sitting in Sharon’s hands is a total waste of a national treasure! Carter, just give it to Kelly already. What’s the holdup? You and Sharon are married-what’s hers is yours. And you know Kelly doesn’t have much time left. She’s admired Shayla her whole life. All she wants is to play one concert with that violin. Just one. It’s only a few days-we’re not asking to keep it forever. Does Sharon really need to be so stingy? She wants money, right? We’ll pay her. A woman who’d leave her own kid behind for cash? Toss her a hundred thousand and she’ll probably sprint over to hand us the violin herself.”
Carter’s eyes flickered. Sharon had mentioned money. More than once.
Maybe Nate was right. Maybe she was just waiting for a better offer.
In the backstage dressing room, Wendy looked around, eyes wide with wonder, awe practically leaking from her voice. “No wonder they call this place a royal kindergarten. Just the campus alone is bigger than most universities. And look at the environment-it’s better than the upscale neighborhood we live in. Even the performance hall feels like a professional venue.”
She glanced around the spacious private dressing room again, still marveling.
“Private rooms for every performer… even celebrities don’t always get that.”
Turning to Matty, she smiled. “Now, don’t laugh at me for being easily impressed.”
Matty giggled. “Wendy, once I grow up, I’ll show you even more of the world.”
Wendy let out a delighted squeal and hugged her tight. “Oh my gosh, you are the absolute sweetest! I adore you!”
She turned to Xavier next. “Seriously, Xavier-how did you raise your kid so well? I need tips. I want mine to turn out like that.”
Sharon looked over at Xavier too, curiosity in her eyes. She had poured everything into raising Theo. And yet… He felt distant. Detached. His values seemed to be slipping off course.
More than once, she’d asked herself-was it her fault? Had she raised him wrong?
Xavier gave a crooked, devil-may-care smile. “Maybe it’s in the genes. I’m usually swamped with work. Barely have time to check in, let alone parent full-time.”
Sharon and Wendy exchanged a silent look.
Genes. Terrifying things.
Wasn’t Theo practically a mirror of Carter? Even down to his blind devotion to Kelly?
Before long, a knock came at the dressing room door.
A teacher peeked in and said, “The performance is about to begin. Could the parent of Matty please come with me to draw the performance order?”
Sharon stood and nodded. “I’ll do it. You guys wait here for me.”
She hadn’t gone far down the hallway before she bumped into Kelly-there for the same reason.
Sharon gave her a glance, unreadable, and looked away without saying a word.
In the drawing room, several other parents were already gathered, chatting and making small talk. Sharon didn’t know any of
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them, so she found an empty seat in the comer and quietly sat down.
“Sharon,” Kelly’s voice came from beside her-soft, low, pointed. She took a seat, holding a cup of coffee in one hand. “No matter how hard you try to imitate me, Carter will never look your way again. Just a friendly heads-up-you’re only embarrassing yourself.”
Sharon turned her head, raising a brow. “Kelly, maybe take a good look in the mirror. What exactly do you have that’s even worth copying? Your face?”
A flash of venom passed through Kelly’s eyes, but her smile stayed sweet and innocent.
“Oh, don’t be like that,” she said breezily, holding out the cup. “Here, have some coffee, Sharon-”
Her hand slipped.
Whether by accident or design, the entire cup spilled straight onto Sharon’s white dress.
“Ahh!” Kelly gasped in mock horror.
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