Chapter 17
SOPHIA’S POV
When Lance invited me to a piano recital, I hadn’t thought much of it at first. He had mentioned it casually, over coffee between shifts. He seemed a bit excited about it. I wasn’t surprised. I remembered 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. Come with me. It’s for elites so, you know it’s going to be good p>
I had agreed because it felt harmless. Because I needed something that wasn’t heavy. It would be fun. Besides I couldn’t remember the last time I went out and just had a good time by myself, without worrying about someone else.
I’d forgotten what that felt like.
I needed something that didn’t revolve around hospitals or marriages.
My wolf stirred inside me softly at the idea of music. She craved the calm it often brought. Sound had always been something that calmed us. It was one of the reasons wolves loved soft music.
The night of the recital, Lance met me 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 me. 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 p>
He shrugged lightly. “Yes, any problem p>
“No p>
He just smiled.
The place was getting packed already.
As the lights dimmed, everywhere got silent. People stopped talking instantly. I focused on the stage.
Then the performer 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 moment before pressing down on the keys. The first notes filled the hall. She sounded magical.
My wolf froze inside me.
I hadn’t known. I hadn’t expected this. Sitting there, so close, so visible, suddenly felt like exposure.
Every instinct urged me 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 memories in my mind.
I remembered Damien, Ashley, nights I had spent convincing myself that distance meant healing. I kept my eyes forward, forcing myself to breathe evenly, even as my chest tightened with every movement of Tiffany’s hands across the keys.
DAMIEN’S POV
When Tiffany invited Ashley and me to her recital, I had accepted without hesitation.
Ashley had been excited, and for once, I wanted to do something simple for her, something normal. Tiffany had mentioned the front row, and I had immediately contacted the venue, prepared to buy the best seats available.
I failed.
The attendant had apologized politely. “Those seats were purchased weeks ago p>
By who?
When we arrived and were guided to the second row instead, I was frustrated and irritated at the same time. My wolf paced restlessly. He sensed something off even before I saw it. Then Ashley tugged my sleeves.
“Daddy,” she whispered urgently. “That’s Mom p>
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 me, reacting before I thought of anything. The scent hit me next. It was her scent, mixed with his. The smell of it unsettled me.
Ashley’s face crumpled. “Why is she sitting with him p>
I didn’t answer immediately. 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 p>
The question cut deeper than I expected.
“Focus on Tiffany,” I said quietly.
My wolf strained against me. 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 p>
Neither did I.