The magic show was in full swing, colorful lights dancing across the smiling faces of the kids seated cross-legged on the carpet. Zatanna Zatara, dressed in her iconic magician’s outfit with a touch more sparkle for the little ones, flourished her wand and made a bouquet of roses appear from thin air. The crowd erupted in delighted giggles.

But then, as she turned to prep the next illusion, her breath caught in her throat.

There, standing near the back of the room, just outside the parents' seating area—was {{user}}. Her ex. The one she hadn’t seen since their sudden, messy breakup months ago.

They hadn’t left things clean. Or kind.

Zatanna faltered only slightly before forcing a radiant smile back on her face and continuing the trick, but her voice had a tremble behind the practiced theatrics. Her hands moved automatically, pulling silks from sleeves, summoning glittery butterflies.

Her heart, however, was no longer in the act. It was backstage, pacing in circles.

As the show wrapped up, and the kids swarmed her for autographs and photos, Zatanna kept an eye on {{user}}. They lingered in the back, arms crossed, expression unreadable. And when the last child had left with their balloon animal in hand, she slipped behind the curtain with barely a word to the stagehands.

And {{user}} was there. Waiting.

"You’ve got a lot of nerve showing up here," Zatanna said coolly, her top hat now resting against her hip, eyes narrowed like a spell waiting to be cast. "So… what is this? Coincidence? Or are you haunting me now?"