The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Antoney glanced at his watch. "Only ten minutes left. It's almost my turn."

He turned to Abby. "Let's push the ensemble and Star's solo further down the program."

Abby considered for a moment, then nodded-there wasn't much else they could do.

Thankfully, everyone involved today was part of their group, so they could adjust the performance order however they liked.

It wouldn't be a big deal if Stella went on stage a little later.

Candida spoke up. "What if Star doesn't come back at all? What then?"

Antoney fell silent for a few seconds, his voice low when he finally replied, "Then the rest of us will perform."

He looked over at Marvin, who had been waiting quietly for instructions. "Marvin, if Star can't make it, you'll need to play a couple more pieces. Can you handle that?"

Marvin nodded gently. "I can."

He'd been practicing violin with Stella lately, and had learned plenty of pieces.noveldrama

Playing a few extra songs wouldn't be a problem at all.

Antoney then turned to Candida. "If Star really can't make it back, you'll need to fill in with extra piano pieces too."

Candida nodded. "Alright."

This wasn't a formal concert, but everyone still took it seriously. No one intended to phone it in.

If something had happened to Stella and she really couldn't perform, they'd still see the show through to the end.

Minutes ticked by.

By the time Antoney and Abby finished rearranging everything, the show was about to start.

They all took turns trying to call Stella, but no one answered.

Seeing that it was almost time, Antoney said to Abby, "I'll go on first. If Star makes

it back in time, we'll stick to our original plan. If not, the rest of us will handle the performance."

Abby's expression was solemn. "Okay."

Antoney picked up his violin and walked onto the stage.

The lights came up, and as looked out in

came up, and as Antoney

into the audience, he O many unfamiliar fa

for a moment at

Wo

He realized instantly-this wasn't the community outreach concert Star had described.

Sure, there were plenty of elderly people in the crowd, but even more young faces.

He even spotted Haynes Jasper and several others, and—

Antoney's eyes widened in shock.

In the best seats, he saw the Williams family.

Star's father was there, her eldest brother, and... her half-sister.

Seeing them, Antoney barely managed to keep his composure.

But when his gaze swept further and the other side of the

, it nearly made him drone

his

violin-the Watsons were there too.

Why... are the Watsons here?

"Oh my God!" someone gasped softly from the Watsons' section.

"That's Antoney, isn't it?"

"It really is him! But... what's he doing here?"

A few of the Watsons turned to look at Antoney's father, Nicolle Watson.

Nicolle shook his head, his voice stern. "I don't know. I've reached out to him many times, but he's always refused to come home. Even when I tried topressure him, he wouldn't relent. I worry if I push too hard, he'll end up resenting the Watson family, so I decided to back off for a while."

Nicolle's tone was heavy as he recounted everything that had happened recently.

But Antoney was a professional musician, seasoned on stage.

He quickly pulled himself together and began to play.

...

Backstage.

Not long after Antoney started his performance, the door to the dressing room swung open.

Abby turned around in surprise, her face lighting up. "Star, you made it back!"