Chapter 8 - A MOTHER'S PROMISEThe ballroom cleared out rapidly. The glamorous charity gala had turned into the greatest high-society scandal of the century, destined to dominate the front pages of every global news outlet by morning.
Only a few remained: Katherine, Marcus, little Lily, and old Arthur Vance, who sat alone at the edge of the dais, looking like a ghost of his former self.
Lily rubbed her sleepy eyes, looking up at her mother. "Mommy? Can we go home now? I'm tired."
Katherine’s fierce, icy demeanor instantly melted the moment she looked down at her daughter. A warm, radiant smile broke across her face. She scooped Lily up into her arms, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. "Of course, my sweet angel. Let's go home."
She turned to walk away, but a frail voice stopped her.
"Katherine... wait."
Katherine paused, not turning around. "Don't call me that, Arthur. Katherine died twenty-five years ago in the fire you and your associates pretended to mourn. I am Evelyn now. And my daughter's name is Lily."
"Can... can I ever make it up to you?" Arthur’s voice broke with a sob. "Can my own granddaughter ever know her grandfather?"
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Katherine turned her head slightly, her gaze piercing through him. "You had your chance to protect us, Arthur. You chose your legacy. Now, my legacy is right here in my arms."
She didn't wait for his answer. She walked out of the grand ballroom doors, hand-in-hand with Marcus, stepping out into the cool night air.
