Side Chick Era... Over

Loving Mom 155

Chapter 155

Kelly could feel it-clear as day. Carter was drifting away from her.

But it was Nate who spoke up first.

“That Shaluna violin sitting in Sharon’s hands is a total waste of a national treasure! Carter, just give it to Kelly already. What’s the holdup? You and Sharon are married-what’s hers is yours. And you know Kelly doesn’t have much time left. She’s admired Shayla her whole life. All she wants is to play one concert with that violin. Just one. It’s only a few days-we’re not asking to keep it forever. Does Sharon really need to be so stingy? She wants money, right? We’ll pay her. A woman who’d leave her own kid behind for cash? Toss her a hundred thousand and she’ll probably sprint over to hand us the violin herself.”

Carter’s eyes flickered. Sharon had mentioned money. More than once.

Maybe Nate was right. Maybe she was just waiting for a better offer.

In the backstage dressing room, Wendy looked around, eyes wide with wonder, awe practically leaking from her voice. “No wonder they call this place a royal kindergarten. Just the campus alone is bigger than most universities. And look at the environment-it’s better than the upscale neighborhood we live in. Even the performance hall feels like a professional venue.”

She glanced around the spacious private dressing room again, still marveling.

“Private rooms for every performer… even celebrities don’t always get that.”

she smiled. “Now, don’t laugh

grow up, I’ll

let out a delighted squeal and hugged her tight. “Oh my gosh,

kid so well?

in her eyes. She had poured everything into raising Theo. And yet… He felt distant. Detached. His

than once, she’d asked herself-was it her fault?

I’m usually swamped with

Wendy exchanged

Genes. Terrifying things.

Theo practically a mirror of Carter? Even

long, a knock came at the

and said, “The performance is about to begin. Could the parent of Matty please come with me to draw

do it.

down the hallway before she bumped into Kelly-there for the

gave her a glance, unreadable, and looked away without

several other parents were already gathered, chatting and making