THE LAST SHOOTING STAR

weight of the question. It was always a touchy subject one that even he struggled to talk about with Irene. He took a moment, looking away, unable to hide the sa

medication" He paused, running a hand through his hair, not sure how to phrase it without breaking her heart. "She's refusing to take it again

from someone else made it all the more real. Irene's stubbornness, her refusal to admit vulnerability, had always been a source of conflict between t

er voice breaking. "She's always been so strong, but sometimes, I won

't want to be seen as fragile," he said softly, his voice filled with understanding. She's terrified of being vulnerable, of letting anyone see

s. She's my only child... my everything." She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, trying to compose herself, b

though the sadness in his own eyes mirrored hers. "I know, Eleanor. I know how much you love he

allowing the weight of their words to settle. But there was a glimmer of hope in L

n in her eyes never fully disappeared. "I hope you're right," she said quietly. "I just... I just want to

ve done everything you can. And you'll always be there for her, just li

above them, signaling her retreat to her room. Eleanor looked up at the

gentle yet firm. "But we have to be patient. And we have

smiled faintly, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "I j

t support, as Eleanor gazed up the stairs, her heart torn between her desire to

ension in the house had settled into a heavy silence, but the unspoken emotions still lingered in the air

oman had clearly been waiting for her, but Irene's eyes were only on the food already laid out before her. She d

her, and then she exhaled deeply, her expression softening just slightly. "I've made sure that the guest room is re

e might say something else. But she hesitated, her face softenin

comfortable. You're only allowed to stay tonight. You can go back to your husband's house to

gratitude flooding her expression. "Of

eached for her plate. As she did, Eleanor took a sip of water, then

econd before continuing to eat. "It

. "They're already making waves. Peopl

uth with a napkin.

ation: She's a perfectionist and won't admit she

"And yet, you're still

ation in Irene's response. Was she truly satisfied with the c

nged the subject slightly. "Speaking of which, yo

pleased. But as long as they don't expect an

ways like this controlled, calculated, distant. But tonight,

, she l

ud of yo

brief second, her guarded expres

it. Elea

ckly as it appea

the room. Without a moment's hesitation, she reached for it, her mo

the phone to her ear, ev

hardened, her posture straightened, and the air around her shifted, turning sharp and commanding.

er daughter's ability to switch personas at will, couldn't stop herself from watching in quiet adm

was crisp, efficient ut

n who had long since learned that when dealing with

ection have arrived," the manager reported. "Would you like them del

t of habit. Irene never s