"That's advisable if you don’t want to get caught," Leroy said, his tone laced with amusement.

"He mentioned theaters and expenses—"

"Ariel, he’s a playwright. You’ve got to talk about something between kissing," Leroy interrupted.

"And he handed her something—"

"Even you can guess what that was."

"Leroy," Ariel said, her face growing red, "you weren’t there. He was acting suspiciously."

The monk's smile widened as he met her frustrated glare. "That’s because he was up to something suspicious. Cheating is, by nature, very suspicious. Now, we better hold off on mentioning this to Shiloh—she’s having such a great night."

"I would have heard more," Ariel continued, speaking over him, "but then Jasper showed up—"

"Jasper?" Leroy’s interest was piqued once again.

Ariel narrowed her eyes at the monk and avoided his knowing look. "Nothing more happened after that. He let them get away."

"Are you sure Mr. Warner didn’t see you? You couldn’t have been hiding very well if Jasper found you—"

"I was hiding just fine. Jasper just appeared out of nowhere, like he always does, and ruined everything by dragging me away—"

"He dragged you away?" Leroy asked, looking at her with bemused curiosity. "Like, manhandling?"

Ariel flushed a deeper shade of red but was spared from answering by the sudden amplification of Mr. Warner's voice.

"Hello, Magnolia Midlands!"

Applause erupted as the playwright appeared on stage. Ariel clapped along, exchanging a look with Leroy. "Well, if it isn’t the playboy himself..."

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"Leroy, shhh," Ariel hissed, her voice low and urgent. "No one can know."

"Does Jasper know?" Leroy asked, raising a challenging eyebrow.

"No, so please keep it to yourself," Ariel said, fixing her gaze on the stage to avoid the amused look on Leroy’s face.

"I see. Fine, your secret is safe with me."

Ariel shot him a sidelong glare. "It isn’t my secret."

"But you’re keeping it," Leroy countered, crossing his arms.

Ariel sighed deeply and faced the monk fully. "I’ll tell Jasper... eventually. But for now, can we keep this between us, please?"

Leroy nodded. "Okay, okay... I promise."

They shared a small smile before turning their attention back to the stage and Mr. Warner.

"This is my favorite part of the festival," Mr. Warner announced, joining the crowd in a rumble of laughter. He continued, "Tonight's play follows the romantic meeting of Mr. Marlowe and his beautiful and inspiring Yvonne. Prepare to be captivated by their moving love story, enacted in part by our very own Yvonne Marlowe—Shiloh Keller. Please enjoy!"

The crowd erupted into applause as the stage lights dimmed and Mr. Warner exited. In the few moments of stillness before the opening notes, Ariel was reminded of how late it was. Above her, the vast expanse of stars watched over Magnolia Midlands. A warm breeze stirred across the festival grounds, which felt strangely quiet and empty with everyone gathered around the stage. Then, a long, mournful note from a violin filled the air, soon accompanied by a cello. The stage was illuminated, revealing Shiloh standing there, framed by a stunning, artistic depiction of a forest.

"Now, where’s the bed of magnolias I’ve been sent to find..." Shiloh’s voice rang out, clear and high over the audience. With effortless grace, she moved about the stage. From where Ariel stood, she could see the light in Shiloh’s eyes and the glow on her cheeks. The actress radiated pure bliss.

She won’t stay that way if Leroy’s right, Ariel thought darkly, frowning as she glanced at the empty spot beside Mandy.

But was Leroy right? Ariel closed her eyes, trying to concentrate on what she had witnessed that night. It had been too easy for the monk to spin her observations into a secret love triangle. So why didn’t she agree with him? Why did she feel that there was another reason Mr. Warner had been out there with that woman? Why did she wish she could have heard more of their conversation, even if it was only filled with sweet nothings?

Ariel opened her eyes, the weight of her thoughts pressing heavily on her. It was no use—what she felt and what she had seen seemed like two different realities.

On stage, another actor embraced Shiloh, murmuring words of love. "My darling, let us never part..."

"My dear Daniel, how I love you," Shiloh declared as she was released from the man's embrace.

Daniel?

Ariel blinked, stunned, as a gasp rippled through the crowd.