Chapter 17: Chapter 17 The Recital
SOPHIA’S POV
When Lance invited
to a piano recital, I hadn’t thought much of it at first. He had ntioned it casually, over coffee between shifts. He seed a bit excited about it. I wasn’t surprised. I rembered that Lance loved classical music a lot back in college.
"A friend of mine is performing," he had said. "It’s a popular piano recital. It should be good. Co with . It’s for elites so, you know it’s going to be good."
I had agreed because it felt harmless. Because I needed sothing that wasn’t heavy. It would be fun. Besides I couldn’t rember the last ti I went out and just had a good ti by myself, without worrying about soone else.
I’d forgotten what that felt like.
I needed sothing that didn’t revolve around hospitals or marriages.
My wolf stirred inside
softly at the idea of music. She craved the calm it often brought. Sound had always been sothing that cald us. It was one of the reasons wolves loved soft music.
The night of the recital, Lance t
outside the hall. He was dressed in a black suit that fit him perfectly. I was dressed in a simple fitted black dress with a trench coat and heels.
His eyes widened a little when he saw . Then, he smiled.
"You look nice," he said honestly.
"Thank you," I replied, adjusting my coat.
When we arrived at the hall, an attendant checked our tickets and led us forward. Very far forward.
I paused slightly, surprised. "Lance... these are VIP."
He shrugged lightly. "Yes, any problem?"
"No."
He just smiled.
The place was getting packed already.
As the lights dimd, everywhere got silent. People stopped talking instantly. I focused on the stage.
Then the perforr walked out.
My breath caught when I saw who it was.
Tiffany.
She moved with grace. Her posture was perfect. The crowd applauded as she sat at the piano. Her fingers hovered over it for a brief mont before pressing down on the keys. The first notes filled the hall. She sounded magical.
My wolf froze inside .
I hadn’t known. I hadn’t expected this. Sitting there, so close, so visible, suddenly felt like exposure.
Every instinct urged
to leave but I stayed still. I kept my hands folded in my lap. Lance leaned closer. "She’s talented," he whispered.
"Yes," I said quietly.
As the music continued, I had mories in my mind.
I rembered Damien, Ashley, nights I had spent convincing myself that distance ant healing. I kept my eyes forward, forcing myself to breathe evenly, even as my chest tightened with every movent of Tiffany’s hands across the keys.
*
DAMIEN’S POV
When Tiffany invited Ashley and
to her recital, I had accepted without hesitation.
Ashley had been excited, and for once, I wanted to do sothing simple for her, sothing normal. Tiffany had ntioned the front row, and I had imdiately contacted the venue, prepared to buy the best seats available.
I failed.
The attendant had apologized politely. "Those seats were purchased weeks ago."
By who?
When we arrived and were guided to the second row instead, I was frustrated and irritated at the sa ti. My wolf paced restlessly. He sensed sothing off even before I saw it. Then Ashley tugged my sleeves.
"Daddy," she whispered urgently. "That’s Mom."
My spine went rigid.
I followed her eyes.
Sophia sat in the front row. She wasn’t alone.
She was beside a man. They were sitting too close. They looked too comfortable.
My wolf snarled quietly inside , reacting before I thought of anything. The scent hit
next. It was her scent, mixed with his. The sll of it unsettled .
Ashley’s face crumpled. "Why is she sitting with him?"
I didn’t answer imdiately. I couldn’t. My eyes stayed locked on Sophia, on the way the soft stage light brushed her face, on how calm she looked. Too calm.
"She didn’t even look at us," Ashley said. She was getting annoyed. "Does she not really care anymore?"
The question cut deeper than I expected.
"Focus on Tiffany," I said quietly.
My wolf strained against . He felt confused and irritated. He kept reacting to Sophia’s presence.
Ashley crossed her arms. I saw tears shining in her eyes as she stared at Sophia’s back. "I don’t like that man."
Neither did I.
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