Chapter 6: The Dance

He led her onto the floor with the confidence of someone who'd learned to move in these circles despite not being born into them. His hand was steady against her back, respectful of boundaries while still leading clearly.

"You're making a statement," Elena observed quietly.

"You are," Dominic corrected. "I'm simply privileged to be part of it."

Elena could feel eyes on them from every direction. By tomorrow morning, this would be in every business publication and society blog: mysterious consultant Elena Cordova dancing with Dominic Kane.

"Your ex-husband is watching us," Dominic murmured. "He looks like he's swallowed something unpleasant."

"You know who I am."

"Of course. I make it my business to know everything relevant about people who interest me professionally." His voice was matter-of-fact, not creepy. "Marcus Ashford made a significant error in judgment. That works in my favor."

"How pragmatic of you."

"I'm always pragmatic. It's why I'm successful." Dominic's expression shifted slightly, becoming more serious. "But I'm also honest. I think you have extraordinary potential that's been dormant for years. I'd like to help you realize it. Professionally, that benefits us both. Personally, I find brilliance attractive, and you are exceptionally brilliant."

Elena missed half a step. Dominic caught her smoothly, adjusting without making it obvious.

"I'm not looking for personal complications, Mr. Kane."

"Understandable. You just escaped a marriage that didn't value you. The last thing you need is someone pushing for more than you're ready to give." His tone was even, accepting. "I'm simply being transparent about my interest. What you do with that information is entirely your choice."

The honesty was disarming. Not a romantic confession, just a clear statement of fact. He found her brilliant and attractive. He was interested. The ball was in her court.

The music ended. Dominic released her but didn't immediately step away.

"Think about the consulting work," he said. "I'll have my assistant send you the acquisition details. If you're interested, we can discuss terms. If not, I'll respect that. But Elena, I think we could accomplish remarkable things together."

The phrasing was deliberate. Remarkable things. Could mean business. Could mean more. He was leaving it open.

"I'll review the materials if you send them," Elena said carefully.

"That's all I'm asking." Dominic's smile was satisfied but not smug. "Enjoy the rest of your evening."

He walked away with the same quiet confidence he'd approached with, leaving Elena standing on the edge of the dance floor, very aware that half the room had watched their interaction.

She turned to find Marcus approaching, weaving through the crowd with clear purpose.

"Elena." His voice was strained. "I didn't know you'd be here tonight."

"I was invited." Elena kept her voice neutral. "Excuse me, I should—"

"Wait. Please." Marcus's hand moved like he might touch her arm, then dropped. "We need to talk."

"About what?"

"About everything. This divorce. Lily. Us." He glanced around at the people pretending not to watch them. "Can we go somewhere private? Just five minutes."

Elena almost refused. But something in his face, a desperation she'd never seen before, made her hesitate.

"Five minutes. That's all."

They stepped through French doors onto a stone balcony overlooking the city. The gala noise faded to a distant hum behind them.

Marcus leaned against the railing, looking more uncertain than Elena had ever seen him. "You look different."

"I am different."

"Dominic Kane." Marcus's jaw tightened. "That's who you're spending time with now?"

"I danced with him. Once. And that's none of your business anymore, Marcus."

"I know. I know it's not." Marcus ran his hand through his hair, destroying its perfect styling. "Elena, I've been trying to reach you for months. Your phone number changed, you moved, you've completely disappeared."

"I didn't disappear. I left. Because you made it very clear I wasn't wanted."

"I was angry. I've been angry for so long that I forgot—" Marcus stopped himself. "There are things about our marriage, about how it started, that I need to tell you. Things I've only recently learned myself."

Elena felt a flicker of curiosity despite herself. "What things?"

"Not here. Not like this." Marcus's voice was urgent. "But Elena, please. Before you completely close the door on everything we had, let me explain. Let me tell you the truth about what happened seven years ago."

"The truth is you never wanted me. You made that clear from our wedding night onward."

"The truth is more complicated than that." Marcus looked at her with something that might have been regret. "I was told things, believed things, that I'm now learning were lies. Please. Just give me a chance to explain everything."

Before Elena could respond, her phone buzzed insistently in her clutch. She pulled it out, intending to silence it, but the name on the screen made her freeze.

St. Mary's Academy - Lily's School

At ten o'clock at night, the school should be closed. They shouldn't be calling unless something was wrong.

Elena answered immediately. "Hello?"

"Mrs. Ashford? This is Principal Morrison from St. Mary's. I apologize for calling so late, but we have a situation with Lily."

Elena's heart dropped into her stomach. "What kind of situation? Is she hurt?"

"She's not injured, but she's very upset. We're still here late because of the drama club performance tonight. Lily had a incident during the show and she's asking for you. We've been trying to reach you for an hour."

"I'm coming right now. Tell her I'm on my way." Elena was already moving toward the door. "Twenty minutes, I'll be there in twenty minutes."

She ended the call and turned to Marcus. "Something happened with Lily at school. I have to go."

"I'll come with you."

"No." Elena's voice was firm. "They called me. She asked for me. I'm handling this."

She hurried back through the ballroom, ignoring the stares, heading for the exit. Behind her, she heard Marcus calling her name, but she didn't stop.

As she reached the front doors, a familiar voice spoke beside her.

"Is everything alright?"

Dominic Kane stood near the coat check, clearly preparing to leave himself.

"Family emergency. I need to go."

"My car is right outside. Let me take you wherever you need to go." His tone was practical, offering help without demanding explanation.

Elena hesitated for only a second. Getting a cab would take too long, and she was too shaken to drive safely.

"St. Mary's Academy. The private school on Riverside Drive."

"I know it." Dominic was already guiding her toward the door, his hand light on her back, protective without being possessive.

His driver had the midnight blue Bentley waiting at the curb. Dominic opened the door for her himself. "St. Mary's Academy, quickly," he told his driver.

As the car pulled smoothly into traffic, Elena tried to count backward to calm her racing heart. Twenty, nineteen, eighteen. But the numbers kept scattering.

"Breathe," Dominic said quietly beside her. "Whatever it is, you'll handle it."

"You don't know that."

"Yes, I do. I've seen how you handle pressure. You'll be exactly what your daughter needs."

The confidence in his voice steadied her somehow. Elena closed her eyes and focused on breathing.

The drive took fifteen minutes. When they pulled up to the school, lights were still on in the main building.

"Thank you," Elena said, reaching for the door handle.

"I'll wait," Dominic said. "In case you need a ride afterward."

"You don't have to do that."

"I know. I'm choosing to."

Elena looked at him for a moment, this powerful man she barely knew, offering simple kindness without asking for anything in return.

"Thank you," she said again, meaning it more deeply.

She hurried up the school steps, her heart pounding. Whatever was wrong with Lily, whatever had happened, Elena would handle it.

But as she pulled open the heavy front doors, one thought echoed in her mind:

'Please let her be okay. Please let her still need me.'