A beaming smile was plastered across Taylor’s face, and a flicker of starstruck admiration seemed to glow in his eyes. Still, beneath the surface, Cole and Elliana sensed something was off.
Taylor had always worn his innocence openly—his gaze usually soft, candid, and boyish. Tonight, though, a razor-sharp intelligence gleamed beneath the surface, an almost predatory cunning that hadn’t been there before.
Elliana and Cole met each other’s gaze, silent understanding passing between them as they struggled to keep their worry hidden. They had believed that by foiling the mastermind’s initial plan, the mastermind would abandon the scheme altogether. That hope had been in vain.
But instead of retreating, the mastermind had shifted tactics, turning the focus on Taylor. Whatever plot came next remained a mystery.
Cold dread surged through Elliana and Cole, chilling them from the inside out. Earlier in the night, the looming threat had hung over the entire arena. With twenty thousand people packed into one space, any sudden panic could have turned the crowd into a stampede. That nightmare had haunted them for hours. Now, the danger had narrowed its sights on Taylor alone. The fear was sharper, cutting deep. He was more than just a performer—he was family. The thought of losing him left a heaviness neither could shake.
From a hidden corner above the chaos, Jason zeroed in on Taylor with his binoculars. A sick feeling settled in his gut as he watched Taylor step into the spotlight. Every instinct screamed that something was wrong. The air buzzed with tension. Conspiracy seemed to cling to the rafters, and worry pressed hard against his ribs.
Protecting the Evans family was Jason’s job, but this wasn’t just about duty. Taylor was family. If disaster struck Taylor tonight, he knew he would be forever burdened with guilt and self-reproach.
A biting sense of unease settled over Emmanuel and Lance as they lingered backstage. Moments before, they had watched Taylor slip past, headed for the blinding lights. Both father and brother could feel something was off—the atmosphere around Taylor felt tense, like an electrical wire stretched to its limit.
ν?
With the situation beyond their reach, neither Emmanuel nor Lance could do more than stand by, hoping to jump in if things took a turn for the worse. Out in the spotlight, Taylor joined Elliana just as the last notes of the introduction faded away. He jumped on the pause, letting the energy build before he turned to the audience. “You all know I’ve looked up to Stellara forever,” he called out, his words brimming with excitement. “Getting to share this stage with her tonight—honestly, it’s unreal! What about you? Are you having a blast tonight?”
“Yes!” The arena thundered with the audience’s answer, the noise shaking the rafters.
The crowd wasn’t faking their enthusiasm. Most had shown up just to see Taylor, but seeing him share the stage with Stellara, a living legend, was beyond anything they’d dared hope for. The night felt like a gift, and their excitement lit up the room.
Taylor grinned wider, soaking in every bit of their energy. He flashed a broad wave at the roaring crowd and then turned to Elliana with a softer tone. “Sharing this stage with you…” His eyes locked with hers. “I have no regrets in this life.” Updates are released by FindN0vel.net
To anyone else, it might have sounded like a heartfelt, emotional compliment. But for Elliana and Cole, the message cut deeper—a hidden farewell disguised as gratitude. Their unease grew, winding tight and refusing to let go.
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