"You do know they're still together, right?"
"Well... Maybe the envelope is necessary after all."
"Let's just leave everything as it is."
"Don't be a coward. We've come this far, why stop now?"
"What are you going to do with that?"
"I'll make sure they see it... You might want to start getting ready."
"You surprise me every time..."
"I'm just doing what's best for everyone."
They waited a month for Emma's baptism, and that same month was how long Deanna refused to see or speak to Harry. But the excuses had finally run out because Daniel would be the godfather.She couldn't avoid it—when he saw her again at the church door, arriving with his brother and nephews looking like a perfect family, he felt that familiar ache in his chest. But all those feelings had to fade eventually; he had decided they would.It was Deanna's first time meeting the baby in person, having only seen photos before. Laura insisted she hold her, though it was obvious Deanna had built walls around herself for protection against more pain.But the tiny pink bundle brought a gentle smile to her face, and for a few moments, she forgot everything else. Both men watched her cradling the ch
Leonard was going crazy, literally. He had been closely following the aspiring Prima Donna through photos published online. The latest ones he'd seen were from Harry's daughter's baptism, and Daniel appeared with her in all of them.He couldn't shake that strange sensation that had lingered since the day he met her. He didn't even know what drove him to keep insisting—maybe wounded pride because she had resisted him, or maybe the idea that she was the right woman for him.He had an episode of desperation when he called Marcus to force him to find her and convince her to return to the theater. His friend refused, and Leonard erupted in anger. All avenues were cut off, with Crusher standing in the middle blocking his path.He was tired of waiting. He had done his part, and nothing was r
Leonard's blood ran cold in an instant. The man with the fewest scruples and the least shame suddenly felt like crying. The connection he'd felt with her wasn't physical after all; something deep inside had drawn him to her, and he'd mistaken it for desire. Wanting to die didn't even come close to what he felt in that moment.Everything made sense now. He'd once told Marcus that Deanna sang like an old soul; she was like her mother. His cold and dismissive mother had also sung when his father met her, before forcing her to abandon her career and becoming a bitter woman.Deanna had inherited her grandmother's talent. But the hair and eyes were all Philippa's. He'd always had that nagging feeling of having seen her somewhere before. If he'd bothered to ask for her information from the professor who arranged her auditions, he would have
It was strange, but she opened the notification anyway. "He's cheating on you," it said. She played the file that barely lasted 3 minutes, but with each second she watched, her chest tightened more."What's wrong?" Leonard asked her.But she didn't respond.Reed stood up and approached her, took the phone from her hand, and then he saw it.The video seemed to have been recorded from a high angle in an office. Daniel's office. There he was, sitting with a woman standing in front of him. Then he touched her and this woman straddled his lap, they kissed, and the next thing was on the desk with Daniel between her legs. Shit! It was Beverly."What's happening?" Philippa began walking toward them
Daniel was growing anxious. She had gone to visit her mother that afternoon but still hadn't returned and wasn't answering his messages. Everyone had arrived quite a while ago; his plan was to try to repair relationships now that the truth was out in the open.Harry cradled Emma while feeling the same unease. Was she avoiding him? Maybe she was deliberately running late so she wouldn't have to show up because he was there. But that wasn't like Deanna—she never hid from confrontation.Someone mentioned a car pulling up. Daniel glanced out the window and saw a vehicle parked at the entrance, but nobody was getting out."Want me to wait?" Leonard asked."I thought you were worried about him seeing you?"
"What happened?" Camila asked Harry."Your son is an idiot. He lost the only good thing he could have by sleeping with Beverly.""What? That can't be...""What can't be, mom? I told you not to mess it up!" he shouted at his brother.She entered the bedroom, her bedroom, the one she had shared with him for so long; she leaned against the door and tried to fight the anguish that was making it difficult to breathe. She inhaled and exhaled through her mouth several times, large amounts of air each time; she was about to break down.She grabbed a bag from the coat rack and hurriedly, without looking at what she was taking, began to fill it. She didn't even need any of that stuff; she just wanted
Daniel woke up in his office, still with the door closed when the children left for school. Fortunately, Susan had refused to leave that night. She stayed with the children in Ethan's room, not coming out, but the shouting was heard anyway. She had to comfort Naomi and Jonathan who had been frightened by their father's harsh voice.She knew him, knew her brother very well. All that wall of cement and ice that made up his armor was nothing more than a defense for him; inside he would be breaking into pieces. Before leaving for school, she tried once more to knock on his door, but got no response.He would stay there until he had no choice but to face reality again. Silence was falling over the house once more, but this time it would feel heavier and more oppressive. The pieces of the phone and the ring had been left on the floor in the livin
"I told you it would work. It's done.""Now I'll have to endure his anger.""Don't worry too much about that. I did this very carefully.""What are you talking about?""You'll see soon enough. I opened the door for you; it's your move now. You've stayed in the shadows too long. Either seize the opportunity now or do what you want. For me, the game is over.""You really are frightening."
The music began; the overture played with power, and the melody was so lively that little Jonathan couldn't help but move his feet to the rhythm. He was filled with excitement—it was his first time seeing it live on stage. It was the first time for all of them.The curtain rose, and the play began.As Daniel had explained to Naomi, there were dialogues, fortunately in their own language. The lyrical parts, however, were in German, but at least they could understand what the story was about.And then she appeared…Beautiful, radiant, powerful. Wearing a white period dress, a smile on her lips, and strength in her voice. The first notes left everyone in suspense, and as the first act unfolded, the energy in the theater became
Opera night was no longer what it used to be in the old days, when it was an occasion for ostentation and a gathering of respected members of society. Now, anyone who could afford a ticket could step into the magical world of the theater. But just this once, every single guest would be an ostentatious, respected member of society. Just this once.That was Leonard’s doing—he had made sure Deanna’s debut in her hometown would be done the old-fashioned way. He had sent invitations to those he deemed influential, to the trendsetters, to political figures—anyone who needed to see her sing. He was proud, and he wanted to share that pride with all those who had once whispered behind her back while watching her.Tonight, they would stand and applaud. They would congratulate her at the after-party. Because he and Marcus ha
Daniel was also getting ready, but in a very different way. For him, that night was going to be tough and painful—tough because he’d have to endure seeing her with Leonard, and painful because he’d have to fight the urge to hold her. He didn’t know how much he could take and was trying to prepare himself to keep his impulses in check. Ever since he had met her, everything had been a whirlwind of madness for him. She had turned his life upside down, making him fall in love like a foolish boy.The cold man, hidden in his sorrow, imposing and unshakable, had disappeared a long time ago. Only the facade remained—inside, he had completely crumbled. Just seeing her again was enough to make everything around him falter, because to Daniel, she was a violent gust of wind that knocked him down with nothing but her presence. That’s how in love he was, and that&rsq
Friends are supposed to be unconditional companions that life places in our path so we can share both joys and sorrows. They’re there to lift our spirits when we’re at our lowest or to join us on an adventure. They’re the ears that listen to our dreams and hopes, knowing they’ll tell us the truth, no matter how painful it is. Some even go beyond friendship and become family—the family we choose.Deanna had always been that kind of friend: the reliable one who would listen to you until late at night and then hug you to comfort you. She wouldn’t hesitate to follow you to the ends of the earth in search of the pot of gold, even knowing it didn’t exist. She would marry your brother just to help you build a happy family and would give up many important things just because she considered you even more indispensable. And never, ever, would she betray you
She felt cornered. Why was he suddenly threatening her like that? Everything they had done, they had done for the same purpose. What had changed? But Leonard was right—if she revealed to Daniel how things had actually happened, she would lose him forever."Why are you doing this now?""Because I need to know what happened, in full detail… Everything… and you're going to tell me, baby. Remember, you're gambling with more than just that idiot—think about his career, your ambitions…""You're a bastard…""I know, I know… You just have to tell me what I want, and you can leave in peace. I have my reasons, and I’m not going to explain them to you… You'll understand…"
Naomi paced back and forth from the door to the window, anxious. Ethan had sat down with Jonathan, and they were getting dizzy just watching her. Daniel pretended to read some papers, peering over his glasses at the girl, clearly nervous. Beverly stood on the stairs with her arms crossed, wearing an expression of pure displeasure."Naomi, enough already... for God's sake," Ethan said."When is she going to get here?""She'll be here soon. Why are you so anxious? It's just a dress...""You don't understand anything..."Ethan rolled his eyes. He wasn't excited about shopping in the least; he just wanted to go out with Deanna and spend the day together. The little one watched her go back and f
For Leonard, it was more than evident that Deanna would remain in the lives of those three children forever. She would have to deal with Daniel, even if she avoided him as much as possible; she would have to deal with all of them. Her life was on stage, up there she was an incandescent star who gave everything for the pure love of music, but her heart continued beating for that idiot and his children.He was in his office that morning, in two days the play would premiere, and everyone, absolutely everyone, the most respected members would attend. From the mayor, the police chief, several powerful businessmen, the ladies of the moment; all that wealthy zoo. Everyone who believed Deanna was his lover.And of course, the three Crusher children. Camila definitely not, Harry and Laura neither, but Charles and Susan would surely be there. Daniel
"Grandpa promised to take us to see you at the theater... Why didn't you tell us you were in town?""I'm sorry, sweetie. I took a few days to be with Mom and Grandma... To be honest, I wasn't sure if I should tell you.""Why not, Deanna?" Ethan asked. "Is it because of Dad?""I don't want to cause any trouble...""The only one causing trouble is Beverly!" Naomi said angrily."Come back, Deanna, so she'll leave," the child said innocently."I can't do that, grasshopper. And Naomi, it's not right to say those things.""But it's true! She's always hanging around the