Chapter 2

The City Arts Club buzzed with polite conversation and the clinking of glasses. Ellie moved through the crowd, a ghost from their past. She saw Ethan across the room, schmoozing with a university trustee. He looked different. More polished, harder. He hadn' t seen her yet.

Her father, Arthur Vance, found her first. He looked worried.

"Ellie, are you sure about this? Perhaps it's too soon."

"Too soon for what, Father? To reclaim what's mine?"

"I just don't want you to be hurt further. They're... they seem very confident." He thought she was here to make a desperate plea, to cause a scene born of heartbreak. He misunderstood.

"Their confidence is built on theft and lies, Father. It won't last."

He sighed, unconvinced but not stopping her.

Then Ethan saw her. His eyes widened almost imperceptibly. He excused himself and walked towards her, a practiced, charming smile fixed on his face.

"Ellie. What a surprise. I... I didn't expect to see you out."

"Why not, Ethan? Am I supposed to hide forever?"

He lowered his voice. "Look, I know this is... awkward. Vicky is the star now. She' s brilliant. Maybe there' s a small role for you, something supportive. People would admire your grace."

A role. Supporting the thief who stole her life' s work and helped kill her mother. The arrogance was breathtaking.

"I'm not looking for a supporting role in my own life, Ethan."

Before he could reply, a familiar, honeyed voice drifted from a nearby alcove. Vicky.

"...and Mother Eleanor, well, she was always so fragile. A few home truths, kindly delivered of course, and she just... gave up. Made things much simpler. And Ellie' s project? Honestly, it was practically lying there. She was too busy being devoted to Ethan, bless her naive heart. It barely needed any changes."

Ellie froze. The casual cruelty, the open admission.

Ethan, seeing Ellie' s face, followed her gaze to Vicky, then back to Ellie. He didn't hear what Vicky said. He saw Ellie' s stare.

He stepped closer, his voice a low hiss. "Are you here to harass Vicky? She' s been through enough. She' s innocent in all this, a genuine talent. Can' t you accept that she won?"

Ellie looked at him, truly looked at him. The man she thought she loved was a stranger, or perhaps, he was always this man, and she had been blind.

"Innocent? Talent?" A bitter laugh almost escaped her.

Her objective sharpened. It wasn' t just about her work anymore. It was about her mother. It was about the truth. All of it.

The Foundation Gala. That would be the stage.