The airport terminal buzzed with activity as four stunning women moved through the crowd like a living work of art. Heads turned, whispers followed, and more than one smartphone camera discreetly captured their passage. To most onlookers, they could only be celebrities - no ordinary women carried such effortless grace and magnetic presence.

Only Amy Sinclair seemed uncomfortable with the attention. The other three - Natalie Beaumont, Lillian Fairchild, and Genevieve Harrington - moved with the practiced ease of those accustomed to being watched.

Lillian, the youngest and most vivacious of the group, linked arms with Amy. "Celeste," she used Amy's stage name with affectionate familiarity, "you've finally decided to come back to us? Ready to reclaim your throne in the music world?"

Amy nodded, her dark hair swaying with the motion. "I... I know it's been too long. I shouldn't have disappeared like that."

These women weren't just former classmates - they were legends in their own right, each having earned their place in the Solmaris Conservatory Hall of Fame. Two had even turned down personal invitations from the great Arthur Pendleton himself. Coming from elite families with vast resources, they'd never needed the validation of studying under the famous maestro.

Genevieve, whose family connections outstripped them all, gave Amy's shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "We understand life happens. But you could have reached out sooner."

The four had been inseparable at Solmaris Conservatory, forming a band that dominated competitions across the Western music scene. Lillian had once defeated one of Pendleton's prized students so thoroughly that the girl never recovered professionally.

Amy's gaze dropped. "I know. I'm sorry."

There had been plans - grand plans. They'd promised to form @band together, reuniting for performances between their individual projects. But fate had other designs.

Natalie hesitated before asking the question they'd all been wondering. "Celeste... what really happened? One minute you're on track to be the next big thing, the next you're back in Newhaven married with a child. Was it... love?"

The memories flashed behind Amy's eyes - the morning sickness, Alexander's overbearing mother, the isolation. While her friends were conquering the music world, she'd been drowning in diapers and disapproval. Only Genevieve had managed to track her down eventually.

Amy took a steadying breath. "There was a performance... then an afterparty. I'd just returned to Solmaris, jetlagged and not thinking clearly. Had too much to drink. Wound up in the wrong hotel room." She gave a humorless laugh. "One time. That's all it took."

Lillian's mouth fell open. "That's... that's literally a romance novel plot."

"Tell me about it," Amy murmured as they exited the terminal.

Outside, Samantha Reynolds waited by a sleek black car, waving excitedly when she spotted them. The reunion was about to begin in earnest.