Charlie turned to the little girl beside her and gestured toward the open spot next to Evie. The girl, clutching her rhythm sticks, eagerly walked over and sat down, her curls bouncing with every step.
I lifted my phone to snap a quick picture of Evie. But as I lowered the screen, I hesitated. The little girl sitting next to her caught my attention. Her curly hair, compared to Evie’s blonde, was strikingly similar. What really stood out, though, were their eyes. Both sets of eyes were the same piercing blue, practically mirror images as they glanced at each other, giggling softly.
Mom leaned in close. “Wow, they look like they could be sisters.”
I nodded slowly.
Ledger, never one to stay seated for long, was already standing, and he nudged me. “Let’s go up.”
I stood, slipping my phone into my pocket, but my gaze lingered on the two girls. The resemblance was uncanny.
We made our way toward the stage, and Charlie was off to the side, chatting with a group of parents. She caught my eye for a brief moment, offering a quick smile, but her attention quickly returned to the conversation.
I focused on Evie instead, figuring I would catch up with her later.
“You were amazing up there,” I said as I leaned down and gave her a quick hug.
She beamed, tightly gripping her bouquet from Ledger with her small hands. The little girl standing next to her shifted slightly, drawing my attention. She was so close now, her big blue eyes staring up at me, and I couldn’t look away. There was something hauntingly familiar about her—the curls, the way her nose crinkled slightly when she smiled, and those piercing blue eyes that seemed to see right through me.
Cutting through the slow-motion haze, a voice rang out from behind me. “Scarlette!”
I turned sharply as the little girl next to Evie smiled. Blonde hair, perfectly styled, framed a face I recognized immediately. She wore a luxurious fur coat, large earrings catching the light as she moved. Her striking, self-assured presence filled the space around her. And standing just behind her, looking almost hesitant, was someone I hadn’t seen in what felt like a lifetime.
My breath hitched as I stared, the air stolen from my lungs. “Nova.”
35
austin
“Nova?”
Nova was standing right there, in the flesh. Between her leg tattoos and curly hair, older, there was no denying it was her even if she looked older.
“Nova?” Ledger repeated, and the three of us stared like we’d somehow seen a ghost.
The little girl, who looked so much like Evie, ran over to Nova and squeezed her leg.
“Mum. I was the conductor,” she squealed.
Nova blinked a few times and looked down at the girl. “I’m so proud of you, baby. You did so well.”
I couldn’t stop staring at them, but I heard my mom whisper behind me, “She’s almost the same age as Evie. Do the math, Ledger.”
“Weird seeing you here, Hart.” Luna grabbed the little girl’s hand and then pointed at the door. “Merry Christmas.”
With her free hand, she grabbed Nova’s hand, and the three of them went back up the auditorium as I stood there in shock.
“You have to go after her, Austin,” my mother said.
I turned around, my mouth still hung agape.
“I-I—” I couldn’t form a sentence. I didn’t know what to say. That was my daughter.
Holy shit.That was my daughter.
I turned, and Charlie was right behind me, still happily and obliviously chatting with the parents. Ledger must have caught where my gaze had landed because he leaned down.
“I’ll tell her you had to leave and that you’ll meet her at home.”
