Mendoza was the first to speak, his voice heavier than usual. "That is a good speech, my princess. We should all live as one happy family and make memorable times." He set down his fork and folded his hands. "I also feel bad on my side. I am mostly not around to support any of you and I am sorry for that." His eyes moved to Aine. "Aine, I married Hilda because I wanted her to give you a motherly love. I know it will never be the same as your mother's. But at least if you ever go somewhere and someone asks where your mother is, you can call Hilda."
Hilda, who had been sitting quietly, exhaled slowly. "I also want to apologize, Aine. As Tesni said, you are much more mature and older now. I should allow you to take some decisions on your own. All I will do from now on is correct you and support you."
The room turned its eyes to Aine.
She looked at each of them, her face carrying that same unreadable stillness it always did, the kind that gave nothing away and asked for nothing in return. Then she spoke.
"Sure. I will comply with all of you."
The room sank into a deep silence.
Then Tesni, because she could never leave the air heavy for too long, leaned forward with a small grin. "You know how I am with old music."
Aine glanced at her. "Aha."
"I want to play a song."
"Go on."
Tesni turned her head and called out, "Alexa, play me 'Hold Me.'"
When the first note of the song drifted through the room, something shifted in Aine.
The composure she wore like armour began to loosen, slowly, the way ice cracks before it breaks. Her vision blurred at the edges and before she could catch herself, her grip gave way. The glass slipped from her fingers and shattered against the floor.
Everyone at the table flinched.
"Are you okay, Aine?" Mendoza's voice was sharp with concern.
Before she could respond, someone tapped her gently on the shoulder. She blinked, steadying herself.
"Yes," she said quietly. "I am going to shower."
Mendoza watched her carefully. "Sure."
She walked away from the table without another word.
Her legs carried her up the stairs on instinct because her mind was somewhere else entirely. The dizziness came in waves, pressing against the inside of her skull. Her heart knocked hard against her ribs, faster than it had any right to be. The walls of the hallway seemed to tilt around her.
"Not again," she whispered to herself, pressing a hand to her chest as she pushed her bedroom door open.
Nine Years Ago
"Mummy, I am scared. I cannot perform there."
Little Aine stood with her hands knotted together, her eyes wide and glassy as she peeked through the curtain at the crowd filling up the hall.
Primrose crouched down to her level, smoothing the front of her daughter's costume with gentle hands. "But you have been practising it every single day."
"It is different, Mum. There are so many people here. What if I flop?"
Primrose smiled, the kind of smile that made everything feel smaller and safer. "You won't." She reached into her bag and produced a small warm cup. "I have something for you."
Aine eyed it curiously. "What is it?"
"Coffee magic," Primrose said with a soft wink. "It boosts your confidence, makes you active, strong and full of fun."
Aine's face broke into a grin. "Yeah," she said and threw her arms around her mother, squeezing tight. Primrose held her just as fiercely before pulling back and pressing the cup into her small hands, then guiding her toward the dressing room.
Backstage, the lights beyond the curtain blazed bright and warm. A group of children huddled together, peering out at the sea of faces with wide, excited eyes.
Aine bounced lightly on her heels and turned back toward where her mother stood watching. "Mummy, if I dance well I want ice cream after!"
Primrose laughed softly. "Yes, my darling. Now go. Everyone is waiting for you."
From where Primrose stood at the side of the hall, she watched her little angel climb the steps onto the stage, chin lifted and feet steady, all the fear from minutes ago completely gone.
The M.C leaned into the microphone. "What is the title of the song you are going to perform with your group?"
Aine stood tall at the front and answered clearly. "Hold Me."
She turned and found her mother in the crowd and smiled. Bright and full and completely unguarded. The kind of smile Primrose would spend the rest of her life trying to hold onto.
The music began.
And Aine danced. She moved like she had forgotten there was an audience at all, like the stage belonged to her and always had. By the time the last note faded the entire hall was on its feet, the applause rolling in like thunder.
The M.C waited for the noise to settle before raising the microphone again. "And so we have finally reached the end of the Great Kids Talent Show! Our competitors have given everything tonight." The crowd roared. "In third place, we have the Little Stars!"
The hall erupted. "Hoooo!"
"Will the parents of this group please come forward."
Primrose watched from her spot, tears quietly gathering at the corners of her eyes, as the judge stepped forward and placed the trophy in their small, outstretched hands.
"In second place, the Big Stars!"
The crowd surged again. "Hoooo!"
The parents stepped forward and the judge placed the second trophy into waiting hands with the same ceremony as before. The hall buzzed with anticipation, everyone leaning forward, knowing what was coming.
The M.C let the silence stretch just long enough before speaking again. "And now, the moment we have all been waiting for. The grand winner of tonight's show, who goes home with three thousand US dollars and a free scholarship to Jade's Lineage is…" A pause that felt like it lasted a lifetime. "The Emeralds!"
The hall exploded.
Primrose was already on her feet before the echo of the announcement had even settled. Her heart was so full it felt like it could burst clean out of her chest. She needed to get outside. She needed to get her angel's ice cream before anything else, before the rush, before the crowd swallowed everything whole.
She slipped out of her row and moved quickly toward the exit.