After The Divorce: Blair's Rise To Power

A Small Hand, A Softer Night

"The forgotten beauty finally shows up," Victoria said, her voice dripping with mock sweetness. "But... who invited you here, Blair? Or don't tell me you followed us here? Finn! Your ex-wife is so scary."

Without shame, Victoria wrapped her arms around Finn's wrist, her face glowing with pride as she spoke in an artificially coy tone.

Blair raised an eyebrow. "I didn't come here looking for you two."

Finn's eyes swept over her from head to toe, his gaze narrowing. "You weren't invited, were you? You think that by dressing up like that, people will forget who you really are?"

"I was invited by someone who has more right than either of you to invite guests here," Blair replied flatly.

Victoria laughed at this, clearly neither of them believed her words. "Who do you mean? Mr. Jonathan Evans? I even doubt he knows a poor woman like you. I know you snuck in, Blair. Don't embarrass Finn—you should leave here immediately."

Their voices were loud enough to draw glances from several guests. Blair noticed this and tried to step back. She desperately wanted to respond to all of Victoria and Finn's insults, but if she did that, she would only become more of a spectacle. Blair was reluctant to embarrass Jonathan or get him involved in this mess.

"I don't want to cause a scene," she said, maintaining her calm tone. "I'd better go."

Finn stepped closer, assuming Blair was only pretending to be calm. But when he looked at her closely, he saw something in Blair's face that night—a composure that wasn't resignation, but a new kind of strength—that made him step back. Blair truly seemed like a different person from the woman who had been his wife yesterday. But Finn wouldn't let Blair's composure last much longer.

"Of course you're leaving," Finn sneered. "Because that's what you always do. Always running and hiding. Just like before, when you were still my wife."

Blair froze. Her breath caught for a moment. But she wouldn't let herself be provoked.

"And now what?" Finn continued. "Did you come alone? Is it because no one wanted to escort you to this party? Or because you want to make me jealous?"

"I came alone because I wanted to be alone," Blair replied sharply. "Not everyone needs a pretty doll beside them just to feel worthwhile."

Victoria mocked her with a loud laugh. "How funny. Someone like you talking about self-worth? You're jealous because Finn never took you to important events like this during your marriage, aren't you?"

Now even more people began to stare. Some even stopped their conversations to watch. Blair could feel those gazes—cold and full of judgment.

"There's no point in continuing to respond to you two," Blair said as she stepped away, trying to move through the crowd. But Victoria followed, cornering Blair between two guests who were toasting. Then, deliberately, she shoved Blair's shoulder—hard and rough—when Blair refused to stop.

The push felt explosive. Blair stumbled, eyes wide as her body lost balance. The champagne glass in a nearby guest's hand shattered, spilling its contents on Blair's dress. Several guests gasped and stepped back, murmuring. The chandelier light illuminated the glass shards. Blair held her torn gown with cold hands.

Something died in her eyes. Pain. Old wounds reopening.

"You deserved that," Victoria whispered.

Without paying them any more attention, Blair ran. Somehow, she just felt she had to get as far away as possible until no one could see her. She felt defeated, but in her heart, she held back her anger and was determined to repay what they had done to her.

From across the room, Jonathan was speaking with several colleagues and guests of honor. He noticed a crowd beginning to form on one side of the ballroom. Whispers started to spread. There was a commotion—something that shouldn't happen at an official celebration.

"Excuse me, Mr. Jonathan," his secretary Ana whispered as she approached. "There seems to be a small problem. There's a woman who apparently followed Mr. Finn Harrison here. There's no invitation under her name."

Jonathan immediately turned, his eyes sharpening. "That woman... who is she?"

"Ana only caught a glimpse. But Finn said she came without an invitation. Maybe someone Mr. Finn knows..."

Jonathan didn't wait for the explanation to finish. His steps quickened, his face turning serious. He knew. He remembered that Finn was Blair's ex-husband's name. He remembered that Blair was supposed to come.

"Should I find out who she is, sir?"

Without acknowledging Ana, Jonathan hurried away. He felt guilty for leaving Blair to face her troubles alone. He should have stayed with her from the beginning.

On the other side, Blair walked to an empty bench under a blooming magnolia tree. The fragrance of flowers filled the air. She sat down. Silent. Catching her breath. The cold began to seep into her shoulders, but she didn't move.

Then, a small voice sounded behind her.

"Are you alone?"

Blair turned and saw a little girl—maybe five years old—standing a few steps away from her. Her hair was brown and curly, her eyes large and clear. She wore a pink dress with a red ribbon at the waist.

"Yes," Blair answered softly. "Are you too?"

The girl shook her head. "I was taking a walk. My daddy is busy, so I decided to sit in his office, but I got bored."

Blair smiled slightly. The little girl was so beautiful that her sadness instantly disappeared. She loved children very much, but during her marriage to Finn, she had never been blessed with a child. Because of that, she was a little sad.

"My name is Hazel," the girl said. "What's yours?"

"Blair."

Hazel raised her eyebrows, curious. "You look sad. Why are you sad?"

Blair was surprised that the little girl had noticed. She didn't answer immediately because she was confused about how to respond. But Hazel had already climbed up to sit beside her, both feet not touching the ground.

"When I'm sad," she said, swinging her legs, "I usually sing. Or draw."

Blair nodded slowly. "You're smart."

Hazel pulled something from a small pocket in her dress—a red crayon and a crumpled piece of paper.

"Want to draw together?" she offered innocently.

Blair held back a laugh but accepted the paper.

Hazel began drawing stars. Blair just made simple lines. But for the first time that night, she felt peaceful. Surrounded by stares, mockery, and old wounds, a little child had come and given her space to breathe.

The world could be suffocating. But sometimes, all that was needed was one small soul who demanded nothing.

Hazel looked at Blair's drawing and exclaimed, "Is that a tree? Or... a big snake?"

Blair laughed. "A tree. But maybe the snake is hugging it."

Hazel laughed too. "That's funny!"

Suddenly the sound of footsteps could be heard. The steps sounded hurried. Blair and Hazel, startled, immediately turned and found a man who was not unfamiliar. The man looked surprised, breathing heavily from running.

"Jo?" Blair called out.

"Daddy!" Hazel exclaimed.

Blair and Hazel called out to the man simultaneously. Blair's eyes widened in shock. She never expected that Hazel would call Jonathan "Daddy." So who was Hazel really?