Epilogue
October 2025
T he newly opened Star Theatre was a blend of modern design and old-world opulence. It was the perfect setting for Willow’s debut as Michaela in Carmen . The fact that Lili was one of the principal dancers that season was the icing on the cake. Who else could bring the necessary level of tenacity to Carmen? Liliana Chén had been born for the role.
Vaughn sat in his usual box. The new velvet seats provided luxurious comfort, blending seamlessly with the fresh interior. There was no better theatre in Melbourne.
His gaze travelled to the box on the other side of the space, where Willow’s mother and brother sat with their eyes glued to the stage. Vaughn was very cautious when it came to them. He didn’t socialise with them in public, because he didn’t want them connected to his family in any way. So when they did fly down, they met only in the privacy of their homes.
His own parents had insisted on being front row and centre to the stage. ‘I want to be as close to Willow as possible,’ his mother had insisted. ‘See every expression on that pretty face of hers up close.’
While Vaughn enjoyed seeing her face up close, too, being far away from other people was always optimal.
The curtain rose, and Vaughn sipped at his scotch while waiting impatiently for Willow’s variation. It was around the twenty-minute mark when she entered the stage in a black-and-gold dress with a sheer skirt, dancing in a circle around Don José—who was the luckiest dancer in the southern hemisphere in Vaughn’s view. Her body moved effortlessly with the music, her feet light and arms sweeping gracefully. Vaughn sat captivated, just as he’d done the first time he saw her dance. Every person in the audience could feel the love and joy she emanated. It fuelled each movement. One year on, and Willow’s ability to silence an audience had only intensified.
Nigel visited him during intermission, and the pair spoke comfortably. Despite their working association having ended, their relationship had evolved into something resembling friendship. After a lavish reopening, Victoria Ballet had attracted a new breed of young, wealthy patrons—and Vaughn couldn’t have been happier for them. The new creative director Nigel had poached from a dance company in Singapore was possibly the best investment Victoria Ballet had ever made.
That, and a brand-new state-of-the-art stage.
Vaughn sat enthralled through all thirteen numbers. Every scene was as good as the last. When the performance came to an end, he rose to his feet, clapping, while Willow soaked up the applause onstage. Her smile was enormous when it was her turn to curtsy. She looked in Vaughn’s direction as she rose despite being unable to see him due to the bright lights. He hoped she could feel how proud he was.
She stepped back as the principal dancers returned to the stage. No one applauded harder for Lili than Willow. Though admittedly, Vaughn was a close second.
The curtain fell, and Vaughn left the box and headed backstage to find Willow.
The pop of a champagne bottle was one of Willow’s favourite sounds—even if the champagne was alcohol-free since they all had to perform the next day. It was the ritual of celebration and acknowledgement that she loved, and Victoria Ballet’s new creative director, Evan Janek, liked to keep the dancers’ spirits high. He’d worked in director roles all over the world and joined Vic Ballet with a fresh vision and an open heart. Everyone adored him.
‘Here’s to all of you,’ Evan said, raising his glass. ‘I couldn’t be prouder.’
They drank and laughed as they took their costumes off and handed them to the anxious wardrobe crew doing the rounds. Drunk on joy alone, Willow dressed and gathered up her belongings, keen to see Vaughn.
‘You know you have your own dressing room with your name on it,’ Willow said to Lili, a smile on her face.
Lili had brought her bag into the main dressing room. ‘I know. It’s just so lonely at the top.’ Her tone was playful.
Willow laughed and pushed in her chair. ‘What are you doing tonight?’
Lili finished tying her shoelaces, then stood. ‘I think we’re just going to grab a bite, then head to mine.’
The other part of that ‘we’ was her pilot fling, Qian. It was the longest ‘fling’ Willow had ever witnessed. While Lili seemed determined to define the relationship as casual, there was nothing casual about it. Willow predicted they would be ‘casually’ living together by the end of the year.
‘Why don’t you come have dinner at the Gallos’ house?’ Willow suggested as they headed for the door. ‘There will be more than enough food, and Paula’s been desperate to meet you.’
Lili screwed her face up. ‘You mean one of those big mafia dinners, like in the movies, where someone dies atop their food and bleeds out all over the table?’
Willow adjusted her bag on her shoulder and tilted her head. ‘Which movie is that?’
‘All of them.’
Willow chuckled. ‘Mum and Liam will be there, so it’s more of a plate of pasta, then home to bed kind of thing.’
As the door swung open, Willow spotted Vaughn on the other side of the hallway, a bouquet of pink roses in hand. Their eyes met, and a smile instantly broke out on her face. The noise from the dressing room faded as the door closed behind her and Lili.
Vaughn made his way over, kissing her cheek. ‘You were incredible,’ he said before stepping back. His gaze went to Lili. ‘Congratulations, Miss Chén. The most tenacious Carmen I’ve seen to date.’
She gave a small curtsy. ‘Raw talent.’
‘I was just telling Lili that they should come have dinner with us,’ Willow said. ‘Your mum would love it.’
His eyebrows came together. ‘My mother would, yes.’
‘Clearly he doesn’t want me there,’ Lili said.
Vaughn inhaled slowly. ‘If Willow wants you there, then I want you there.’
Progress between the two of them had been slow , but it was still progress. At the very least, their banter made small talk a little more interesting.
‘I’ll go find Qian and tell him the good news,’ Lili said. Then, looking at Vaughn, she added, ‘He carries a Swiss Army knife, you know.’
Vaughn’s eyebrows rose slightly.
‘Mostly for the bottle opener,’ Lili admitted. ‘But it has blades.’
‘What about one of those tiny saws?’ Vaughn asked.
‘Yes.’ Lili raised her chin slightly. ‘And tweezers.’
His lips twitched. ‘I’ll be sure not to provoke him, then.’
Lili touched Willow’s arm. ‘Text me the address. I’ll see you there.’
‘If the gate doesn’t open, have your mini screwdriver ready,’ Vaughn called to her back.
She laughed as she walked away.
Once they were alone, Willow said, ‘I knew you would end up friends. You have more in common than you realise.’
Vaughn tucked her hair behind her ear. ‘Like our mutual love of you?’
‘Exactly.’ Willow crinkled her nose. ‘Did Mum and Liam leave already?’
‘They did. Tony picked them up. Finn’s waiting out front.’
Willow wrapped her arms around him. Somehow, against all odds, they were navigating their way as a couple. It wasn’t always easy and required a lot of compromise. For example, Vaughn had wanted her to move to a more secure apartment, and she’d refused. But she had agreed to the occasional company of a bodyguard.
She kept bracing for their house of cards to tumble, but their love held it all together. Willow accepted the hard parts without complaint, because the alternative was a life without Vaughn Gallo, and that wasn’t a life she was interested in. He was her safe place and her happy place. Her protector. Her endless source of inspiration. Her biggest cheerleader—besides Lili. He had somehow opened her eyes to the world while simultaneously shielding her from it.
‘Ready?’ he asked, taking her bag.
Vaughn Gallo was her future.
Slipping her hand into his, Willow savoured the sensation of his warm fingers tightening around hers. ‘Ready.’