Chapter 16
Felicity had already instructed the crafty volunteer who was helping her assemble the space fortress model.
“Be extra careful when you open the box,” the volunteer warned. “The fortress is huge, and it could fall apart if you’re not gentle. If anything gets damaged, Felicity, it’s on you.”
Dames nodded confidently–he trusted Felicity completely.
Ms. Hughes, however, was not amused. She addressed Felicity with a stern look. “Miss Thompson, this isn’t acceptable! Damien’s project hasn’t even gone through. the selection process and yet he’s already been given a spot on stage. That’s not fair to the other children!”
Felicity just smiled dismissively. “Did you know Gemma is on the preschool’s board? And are you aware Damien’s father is coming to the auditorium today, just to hear his son’s speech?”
Dames’eyes lit up in an instant. “My dad’s coming to school?!”
From her seat, Daph’s heart skipped a beat at the sound of her brother’s voice. Her eyes sparkled, too.
“But Dad’s always so busy with work. Why would he come here?” Dames asked, incredulous.
Felicity bragged with a smirk, “I told him to come. You think he’d dare say no to me?”
Dames gazed at Felicity with awestruck admiration. “Flick, you’re amazing!”
Felicity placed a hand on her hip, standing tall with pride. She shot Ms. Hughes a cold, sideways glance. “Just do as I say. If you want the school showcase to go off without a hitch, you’ll make sure the Vaughn family’s golden boy gets first place. Otherwise, I’d love to see you explain that to the board.”
Ms. Hughes had no choice. She didn’t dare cross Dames–not to mention, all the other parents went out of their way to keep the Vaughn family happy, telling their own children to let Dames shine.
The auditorium was packed with parents of the senior class. Nearly everyone there was a mother, each one perfectly made up, draped in sparkling jewelry, and dressed
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Chapter 16
to impress.
The ladies clustered together in little groups, whispering about their kids and husbands. When they weren’t gossiping about family, they were discussing the latest designer collections they’d bought or the antique jewelry they’d picked up at
auction.
“Damien’s mother! You look so understated today!”
A few of the society wives greeted Selene, their gazes sweeping over her from head to toe. One sharp–eyed woman noticed immediately–Selene wasn’t wearing her wedding ring.
Everyone knew Selene had twins–a boy and a girl–but in their circles, only the son seemed to matter.
Other than “Mrs. Vaughn” or “Damien’s mother,” Selene was rarely addressed as “Daphne’s mother.”
Selene didn’t hesitate. “Harrison and I are divorced.”
For a moment, everything within a six–foot radius of her went dead silent.
One of the women, struggling to keep her polite smile in place, contorted her face awkwardly.
Selene went on, “I’m no longer Damien’s mother. I’m just Daphne’s mother now.”
“Ah… ha…” The woman who’d tried to be friendly instinctively took a step back.
“How did you two get divorced? That’s… brave of you!”
“So, will your daughter be transferring schools?”
Selene shook her head. “I have no plans to move Daphne just yet.”
“Mr. Vaughn must be generous, then, still paying Daphne’s tuition.”
Some parents started to edge away, whispering behind their hands.
“What was she thinking, getting divorced? She must be out of her mind.”
“Mr. Vaughn is such a gentleman. I bet Selene got a huge settlement from the Vaughns.”
“What good is a fortune anyway? She only made it into our circle by marrying into that family!” one mother said with a shake of her head. “She’s taking her daughter away in the divorce–she’s ruining that child! Ten, twenty years from now, when Daphne realizes the gap between her and Damien, she’ll end up resenting her
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mother.”
“Mrs. Thompson, honestly, she just can’t handle hardship.”
Selene sat in her seat, tuning out the murmurs around her. Suddenly, someone called out, excitedly:
“Hey! Harrison’s here! It’s really him!”
Instinctively, Selene turned toward the auditorium doors. There he was–impeccably dressed in a tailored suit, every inch the picture of elegance–walking in with Felicity at his side.
