Left In The Dust, Now I Shine Again

the ballroom with Simon at her side. "Evelyn, Kellan

. His attention remained fixed o

ely spread malicious lies," Evelyn replie

intly. "Take the

e who knew what that meant whispered

hloe dissolved into trembling terror the

oke down entirely, weeping and

are them a second gla

ng shock. She'd never expected him t

diant, welcoming smile. "Simon and I are so thrilled you

hout a word, her arm gracef

Jessica's portrait next to bo

d painting, bathed in gallery lig

une on that piece at auctio

estored it

mbol of their l

e parting waters, the guests immediately scrambled out of her

h Simon's. "Evelyn, that piece represents our commit

arm glance at the d

ied, tilting her chin up

ese days," Evelyn noted idly. "I

urning rigid. "What exactly

s deadpan. "That

ppled through the ba

into raw fury, while Simon's brow furrowed into a deep

th icy composure. "Is the t

painting, observing the drama play

or that piece. It's an authentic piece. Jessica restore

d instantly; every eye in the roo

n't know the first thing about art conservation. How

tment, their disgust plain for anyone to see. The res

tication equipment h

trouble. "Don't tell me you watched a couple of amateur

ng. "This is your sister's engagement party. St

case of conservation tools into Evelyn's arms, certain th

case without a

ntion sharpened, his inter

llowed Evelyn as she carried the

fold, pulled on a pair of gloves, and moved through the standard st

d to slip as Evelyn moved flawle

curiosity building as Evelyn reached th

id. "The reading shows a synthetic pigment that wasn't developed until the twentieth century. This painting

shit!" Jessi

e and a forgery," Evelyn said, her voice steady, "may

watch Evelyn fall apart now turned thei

tar in art conservation, and yet she'd missed a forg

t the fake on display as some senti

ous that was, and the judgment from t

Simon said, his face flushing with embarras

der the stares and whirled on Evelyn, furious. "You p

velyn said, not missing a beat. "If I hadn't shown up today, you

s case, and stepped down from the platform. "If you really t

ol she had left and lunged at Evelyn, hand raised to str