Chapter 15 Darcy’s List Show
Chapter 15 Darcy’s First Show
Saturday evening, the grand theater glowed with dazzling lights, the fnusic weaving through the hall like a soft, babbling brook
On stage, the lights softened to a hush, a lone spotlight cutting through to the center, where the dancer appeared like a sprite straight out of a fairy tale.
Her skirt swirled delicately, shimmering under the beams, unfurling like petals in bloom and darting like butterflies with each twirl and bound.
The audience sat rapt, breaths held, fully immersed in the sensory spectacle.
When the curtain fell, applause exploded like thunder, echoing on and on.
Kendra bubbled with excitement, yanking Brandon’s hand as she bolted backstage. Darcy was a shining star in the night sky. She thought one day, she’d sparkle just as brightly.
Backstage, she thrust forward the flowers she’d chosen: Roses, the queen of flowers, elegant and mysterious.
Darcy’s eyes sparkled with joy, the rush from the performance still humming through her. She scooped up Kendra, whirling her around three times in delight before gently setting her down.
“Darcy, these are extra special. Dad had them airlifted just for you,” Kendra said, offering the bouquet.
Darcy accepted them with wide–eyed surprise, her eyes softening with affection as she shot Brandon a tender glance. “Thanks, Brandon,” she purred, her thrill bubbling over.
Brandon gave a subtle smile. “Congrats, Ms. Meyers. That was perfection.”
A voice interrupted as a woman in a sleek black gown clicked over on high heels.
“Margo, what are you doing here?” Kendra caught sight of Margo and felt a pang of unease.
For whatever reason, she had a gut feeling that her and Brandon’s bond with Darcy should stay on the down–low.
Margo brushed past the question, sidestepping the father–daughter duo with a friendly, warm smile for Darcy. “Ms. Meyers, I’ve got a friend in the entertainment biz who’d love to talk shop with you. Up for it?”
Darcy’s eyes gleamed with delight. “You bet! I’ve only just gotten back home, so connecting with pros like that would be amazing. Thanks a ton, Margo.”
“Don’t mention it. We’re practically family. With your stunning looks and that innate star power, it’s the least I can do to help out.”
With that, Margo fished out a business card, her smile turning sly and captivating. She gave Kendra a casual wave and sashayed away. “Hit me up when you’ve got a minute!”
Darcy gripped the card tightly, staring after Margo with heartfelt thanks. Bursting with energy, she latched onto Brandon’s arm and hopped twice in pure joy.
She never dreamed the Levy family would pull out all the stops for her like this.
Landing a spot in the Klamdiff Ballet Troupe? All thanks to Brandon calling in favors. Tonight’s starring role? Bankrolled by the Levy Group.
With the right management team behind her, she could break way beyond just headlining a ballet troupe.
Her whole life, she’d been stuck in Brianna’s shadow.
It didn’t make sense. They were both Whitney’s daughters, so she wondered, ‘Why do I have to lurk in the background?
‘Why does Brianna get to soak up Dad’s love guilt–free? Why can she claim him so openly? Why does her mom get away with slapping my own mother in public?‘
From day one, she’d traced Brianna’s every move, busting her gut to outshine her at everything, just to prove she was the superior one.
Yet luck always sided with Brianna. Totally mediocre, and yet she’d waltzed into a top–tier marriage.
Brandon was drop–dead gorgeous, radiating easy confidence in every gesture, a business titan who inspired instant
respect.
Darcy thought, ‘Why should a guy like him be hers? The time has come to claim what is rightfully meant for me.‘
She pivoted, burying her true feelings, and looked up at Brandon with wide, innocent doe eyes
“Brandon, wanna swing by 0903 for a bit? It’s this new spot. Kendra can gaze at the stars there.”
Chapter 15 Darcy’s First Show
Kendra said, “Yeah, let’s go!” She thought, ‘Whatever Darcy suggests is sure to be stylish
Sime with Darey means diving into a world full of color and wonder. Mom? She is all about keeping it plain and practical, total snooze
Brandon said, “No can de–It’s way too late. Kendra’s got to hit the hay.”
Kendra said, “Aww, Dad, please? I wanna see the stars!”
“No way!”
Seeing Brandon’s unyielding attitude, Darcy swiftly changed tack. “It’s fine. I can take you another time, bright and early. Let‘ s call it a night for now, okay?”
Kendra pouted. “Then can I spend time with Darcy tomorrow?”
“No, we’re heading to Grandma’s tomorrow.”
“But we were just at Grandma’s! I don’t want to go.”
“It’s the Grandma on your mom’s side.”
Kendra’s face crumpled in frustration. Sure, she missed Brianna a little, but after witnessing Darcy’s dazzling performance, she much preferred hanging around her.
“No way. I’m not going.” She folded her arms across her chest, brow furrowed, lips pursed in a full–on sulk.
“Kendra!” Brandon didn’t raise his voice at Kendra, but the tone was unmistakably commanding.
She knew that when Brandon called her by her name like that, resistance was futile.
She agreed grudgingly. “Fine. But we better make it quick. I want to play with Darcy in the afternoon.”
Darcy fumed inwardly but maintained her sunny, gracious demeanor. “You got it. I will be ready and waiting for you, Kendra.* With that, she turned to Brandon. “Brandon, even though Caroline and the rest aren’t fond of me, Brianna’s family is like my own. Pass along my regards, will you?”
Brandon nodded. “All right, we’ll give you a ride home.”
“No thanks. My mom and dad are already here.”
Brandon nodded once more and ushered the hesitant Kendra out.
Only after the father–daughter duo had left did Whitney and Blanca step out from the wings.
Since Brianna had moved out, Brandon figured she’d returned to the Harper family.
Now that Mitch was out of prison, courtesy demanded a visit.
The next day, Sunday, Brandon and Kendra packed the car with premium cigars, top–shelf wines, and a heap of food before setting off for the Harper family.
En route, Kendra dialed Brianna.
She was eager to wrap up the visit fast and split. Last night, she’d messaged Darcy, who mentioned her custom ballet shoes had arrived. She’d promised to take her to the theater for some stage practice that afternoon.
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“Mom, you awake? Dad and I are on our way. We’ll be at Grandma’s any minute.”
“What?” Brianna paused mid–stride. She was heading to the jewelry contest organizers office to drop off her entry.
“Mom, Dad says we’re visiting Grandma and Mitch. Who’s Mitch? I don’t remember him.”
Mitch had been incarcerated before Kendra even started kindergarten, so naturally, she had no recollection.
“Why’s your dad suddenly deciding to drop by Grandma’s?” Brianna was baffled. She thought, ‘Does he even know the address?‘
For years, she’d pleaded with him to visit, and he’d always brushed it off. She wondered, ‘What has gotten into him today?”
“Dunno, but we’re already driving there. We’ve got stuff to do this afternoon, so we’ll head out right after lunch, ‘kay?”
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