Chapter 44
THIRD PERSON’S POV
Ashley stood frozen on the stage. Her small body was stiff as the final notes of the piano rang out too loudly. Her chest hitched as she tried to breathe through the lump in her throat. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she cried.
From her seat in the back corner, Sophia watched with wide, helpless eyes. Her heart felt like it had been ripped open.
That was her daughter up there. Ashley was up there alone, exposed and humiliated. Sophia’s wolf whimpered inside her. Her instincts screamed to stand and to pull Ashley away from the stage.
But Sophia stayed seated.
People clapped but the sound was soft. The applause wasn’t proud. It was the kind of applause people gave when they didn’t know what else to do.
Ashley flinched at the sound.
Ms. Henderson, Ashley’s teacher, stepped forward, forcing a smile.
“Thank you, Ashley,” she said gently. “You can rejoin your class p>
Ashley nodded. She didn’t look at the audience. She didn’t look at Tiffany. She walked off the stage with her head down.
Backstage was chaos.
The moment Ashley disappeared behind the curtains, several mothers who had volunteered to help with costumes moved in on Tiffany.
Mrs. Chen stepped forward first.
“That was completely inappropriate,” she said. “This is a school event for children p>
Tiffany turned “Excuse me p>
“You played too fast,” Mrs. Chen continued. “You changed the tempo constantly. My daughter dances. I know what happens when music doesn’t match choreography. You confused her p>
Another mother spoke immediately. “You played rubbish p>
Tiffany’s face flushed red. “That’s ridiculous. I didn’t mean to. It was an accident p>
“An accident?” Mrs. Chen scoffed. “You didn’t look at your daughter once p>
Tiffany’s voice rose. “I was focused on the music p>
“Exactly,” Mr. Patterson, a male parent, said as he stepped forward.
He was usually quiet but this time, he couldn’t hold it in.
“You stole the spotlight,” he said bluntly. “This was supposed to be about the kids. About her. Ashley looked devastated up there. But no you made it all about yourself p>
Tiffany opened her mouth, ready to snap back when Ashley appeared in the doorway. She was still in her costume. Her cheeks were filled with tears. Her eyes were red and swollen. She had heard everything.
Other children began to gather nearby because of the raised voices. All eyes were on her now.
Ashley sucked in a sharp breath. Then she turned and ran. She cried as she ran toward the exit, tears blinding her vision.
Sophia felt it instantly.
Her wolf reacted before her mind did. She felt a wave of panic and she knew it was from Ashley.
“The little girl ran,” someone whispered in the auditorium.
But the program continued.
Sophia forced herself to stand when her name was called. Her legs felt heavy. Her heart was still pounding painfully in her chest. It was time for her performance with Patricia and Klara.
The fairy-tale skit.
Sophia stepped onto the stage as the princess. The moment she spoke her first line, the children in the crowd giggled.
Patricia narrated in a sweet voice, “And so the princess found herself alone in the forest p>
Klara walked onstage dressed as a tiny magical creature. Her wings were crooked. She had a wide smile on her face. The audience laughed softly.
Sophia looked down at her and smiled.
“You’re very brave,” Sophia said gently, in character.
Klara forgot her next cue and froze.
Patricia leaned forward slightly. “And then the forest friend said p>
“I’ll help!” Klara blurted out proudly.
Everyone in the crowd laughed.
The chemistry between them was easy and genuine. Sophia delivered her lines perfectly.
“I don’t need to be rescued,” Sophia said firmly as the princess. “I can save myself p>
When Sophia delivered the final line—“We are our own heroes”, everyone clapped. Some parents even gave them a standing ovation. The kids were all excited.
Sophia, Patricia, and Klara took their bows together, holding hands.
As they exited the stage, parents stopped them.
“That was beautiful,” one said softly.
“So meaningful,” another added.
Sophia smiled politely, but her eyes searched the room. Her wolf felt restless again.
Where was Ashley?