“You’re better off without me,” she replied. There was so much she wanted to say to him. Why did it take all of this happening for them to talk to each other openly? For a moment she wished she could go back in time, start again, request a do over, go back to her old life when everything made sense. Was that the better version of herself? Was that a girl who could look at herself in the mirror without feeling ashamed? “I’m sorry, Alexander. For hurting you. I made so many mistakes.” And with that she turned and walked away, crossed the expansive foyer of Alice Tully Hall, and left out the front entrance into the dark and rainy night.

XXVIII

When Alexander W. took his seat in the back of the theater next to Eleanor, he felt terrible. He had seen Anna walk in with her family, and a tsunami of sorrow washed over him. He was angry and hurt when she ended things with him before he left for Cambridge but felt only pity when he found out about the video. She had made some mistakes, yes, but certainly did not deserve such a terrible fate. He wanted to say something, but when he had his chance he realized he didn’t know what to say. Instead, he found himself taking a good look at her for what seemed like the first time ever. He had known she was beautiful and accomplished, but maybe he’d never taken the time to really know her. He’d loved her from the first moment he saw her, but what did that even mean? Eleanor was fidgeting in her seat. “I didn’t see her return. Did you? Maybe she left. I cannot believe she has the gall to show her face in public.”

“Eleanor, please shut up,” Alexander said. “Let it go.”

“Why are you still defending her?” Eleanor hissed. “She made a fool of you and our family. I’m happy she’s disgraced. She deserved it, and I have no regrets. Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”

It took longer than it should have for his half-sister’s words to sink in. Eleanor quoting obscure Bible references was nothing new, but what was she saying exactly? And then, he knew. Even though the second half of the show had started, he got up and walked out of the theater. As he stood alone in the lobby, he tried to gather his thoughts, but was at a loss for what to do. He heard a door close and looked up to see Vronsky enter from outside. He had been out looking for Anna, because he’d noticed she hadn’t returned after intermission. Vronsky saw Alexander standing alone and their face-to-face meeting was unavoidable.

“Alexander,” he said, nodding curtly.

“Vronsky,” Alexander said.