Jane took a breath outside before returning to the private room, but Ciara was nowhere to be found.
Betty asked, “Where did you go? I looked for you in the bathroom, but you weren’t there.”
Jane replied calmly, “I found a place to rest. Why don’t you sing?”
Betty looked embarrassed, “I’m not a good singer. I’m tone-deaf.”
Jane sensed that it might not be true, but rather a lack of confidence due to her social status.
Glancing at her watch, she said, “It’s getting late. I should leave.”
Since she and Ciara had severed ties, there was no reason to stay.
“I’ll come with you,” Betty said.
They left the room and turned a corner, where they overheard a woman’s whining voice.
“Mr. Dickson, it’s been so long. Do you miss me?” Ciara stood at the door of a private room,
