Leonard went to talk to Marcus that morning, he needed a place for Deanna to do some voice training before the audition. The professor was very angry with his friend.
- You're a traitor, you knew I wanted her here with me and now you're giving her to Sacha... -
- Don't be like that Marcus, you know as well as I do that it's a chance in a thousand and if this Sacha doesn't appreciate her, I'm sure she'll agree to stay with you -
- You finally got her, you fucker -
- It's not that... -
- And you tried so hard this time, I guess you're euphoric -
- I'm telling you, it's not that...
- It's not what? Don't tell me you're doing all this for the love of art, because I won't believe you, I know you -
Leonard hesitated for a moment.
-I'll tell you the truth, but keep it to yourself or I'll kill you.
- What truth? -
- It's my daughter.
- Who? -
- Deanna.
- Deanna who? -
Leonard looked at him like he had two heads and then Marcus reacted to what he said.
- Is she your daughter?! Deanna?! Crusher's wife?! Stop talking nonsense!... Wait!... Oh, my God! Your mother! -
- Yes... You get slower with age –
- She's just like your mother! Good heavens, you almost...! -
- Don't remind me...
Marcus sat stunned. Of course! Come to think of it, she had a lot in common with Leonard's mother.
-But you didn't know that, did you? -
- Oh my God, Marcus! Even I'm not that kind of animal... No, I didn't know... She's Philippa's daughter -
- Your pre-wedding sweetheart? Wow.
- Yeah, I never knew that until recently. I don't want anyone to find out, especially that stupid Crusher. I'd rather he thought I stole his wife, so he'd leave her alone -
- But why? -
- They're separated and it's best for Deanna, let's leave it at that. Are you going to help her now? -
- Of course I'll help her, even if she doesn't turn out to be your daughter, although I'll hate you for the rest of my life if that guy takes her -
- Thank you, Professor -
He left the ambassador satisfied again. He was beginning to get used to this new feeling: the satisfaction of accomplishing something for someone other than himself. He couldn't wait to tell Deanna the good news, now she could prepare for the audition and he was convinced she would do great.
Marcus was right: Deanna was like his mother; the same sweet voice, full of strength and warmth. He remembered her clearly in his mind, when he was a child and his mother sang to him, before she turned into an oyster in frustration. But that didn't lessen the hatred he felt for her.
"Do you see her? She's going to sing in every theater in the world, like you couldn't... I hope you're turning over in your grave... You took her from me before she was born," he said to her in his mind.
-It can't be, Susan.
- Yes, it was Leonard Reed who opened the door to Deanna's room, Harry. He practically threw me out, saying she wasn't there, but I'm sure that was a lie. She refused to see me -
- I never thought Dean could notice a man like that - Laura said.
The three of them were at Camilla's house. Susan had gone to see Emma.
- That's not possible... - Harry didn't want to believe it.
- Well, that's what happened. I guess there's no going back now. This is a result of your "prank" -
- It wasn't me...
Harry was tired of defending himself against the accusations, it was pointless.
- If Deanna hadn't broken up with Daniel, Leonard wouldn't have had a chance... Congratulations, brother... -
- If Daniel had not slept with Beverly, nothing would have happened. You have to congratulate him -
- Do you think Beverly will get her chance now? She's been waiting for this for a long time -
- I don't think so, Laura. Daniel is still very sad, he has built a wall around himself and he won't let anyone break through it.
- He deserves it for being stupid - Harry said angrily.
- You better shut up, Harry... At least my visit to the hotel had an effect, she communicated with the children. I was really worried about Jonathan -
- Camila came back angry with Daniel -
- Only he knows what's best for his children –
Although Harry and Laura's relationship had improved considerably, Susan found it strange that she didn't react when Deanna was mentioned. Not long ago, she had begged her to leave their lives for fear that her husband would abandon her, had she forgotten that so quickly? She had cried inconsolably during her pregnancy and as soon as Deanna had left, everything had returned to normal.
She just hoped that Beverly didn't get anything out of what she had done with Daniel. It would be the last straw for her brother to accept her after such a disaster. No, Daniel would never accept anyone again. The blow had been too hard for him and even though he pretended to be fine, she knew it would take time for him to recover. Deanna had taken another piece of his soul.
- Marcus said you can go to the theater to rehearse whenever you want. I'd say start as soon as you can, you don't have many days left -
- Thank you for what you've done for me.
- You don't have to thank me... in fact, it's more for me than for you, so I can atone for my sins -
- That's not true... Thank you -
Without realizing it, Deanna had more than opened the doors for Leonard. Maybe she felt that if she didn't hold on to something or someone, she might run off looking for him. Sometimes she had the urge and stopped herself by thinking that it had been a toy and nothing more. And she would cry again.
Daniel sometimes shared the same despair. He thought of her and wanted to get her, hit Reed and take her away. He didn't care if she had changed him for him, didn't care if he had taken her to bed; then the fear came and the weight of his own frustration wouldn't let him move.
He had never been a man trapped by his desires, even after his widowhood. He had had the occasional short-lived "relationship" and the occasional hired escort, but he had never been driven by need. But Deanna had changed something in him; her complete freedom, the desire marked on her skin without hiding it, and the intimate game they had developed made his body express that appetite and he could not control it. He wanted her and could not have her, adding to his misery.
She couldn't stop feeling his hands running over her body, the dominating kisses that covered her skin, his impulse when he went out of control to have her. She missed him so much and hated herself for being so weak, for believing him. She wanted him and felt stupid, just another one of the many he must have had to satisfy his urges. Never again would she be used like that, never again would she believe another man, never again would she feel the humiliation of feeling inadequate. There would be no more Frank or Daniel for her, only music and opera. One day she would stop feeling anything for him and she could rip him from her heart.
The first day of this new path would begin with the audition at the Ambassador.