Chapter 26 - Another ballroom
Three years after the gala, the Devereux Foundation returned to the Bellamont Ballroom.
I had avoided it.
Not publicly.
Logistically.
At some point avoidance becomes ritual too.
Elowen was ten.
She asked:
“Is that the room?”
“Yes.”
“Can we go?”
“You sure?”
“Daddy.”
Right.
We went.
No Marcella.
Her no-contact period had ended, but she was not invited because no one had a reason to invite her.
Victor attended.
Vane Event handled part of the staffing under the remaining contract.
That mattered to me.
No purge.
No fear-based vendor ban.
The doors opened.
Crystal chandeliers.
Same floor.
Different dessert table.
Elowen wore navy.
No photograph in her hand.
She stopped near the VIP table.
I watched.
“You okay?”
“Yes.”
Then:
“Was it there?”
She pointed.
“Approximately.”
She walked over.
Looked at the floor.
Nothing.
Of course.
Ballrooms do not preserve emotional evidence.
A waiter passed carrying champagne.
Elowen looked at the bucket.
Then at me.
“No.”
I laughed.
“Wasn’t thinking anything.”
“You were.”
“Maybe.”
She grinned.
We sat.
The entire gala happened without incident.
May you like
That was almost disappointing to the press.
Excellent.
