Chapter 40
Elizabeth slipped away before the sun rose.
She was like a ghost, coming and going without making a sound, like a hotel guest who didn’t want to leave any trace. She took a taxi to the orchestra’s practice room. It had been three years since she’d last stepped here.
The key was still with her, as if it was brand new.
But the door to the classroom had seen better days, emitting a stale smell in the dim morning light, and the inside looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in ages, with tables and chairs now covered in mold spots.
Elizabeth spent the whole morning scrubbing the place clean.
As noon approached, the orchestra members began to arrive one by one, carrying their instruments. They were all lively young girls, full of chatter and laughter. Through the clean windows that let in the morning light their youthful and charming faces were visible.
A few years back, when she first started learning music, Elizabeth was just like them, her heart filled with dreams for what lay ahead.
The sound of laughter floated over, and she turned around, retrieving a long–neglected, dusty cello from the corner. It was the instrument she used to play with the most ease. After three years, the feeling of being out of practice was immediate.
Her fingers had barely touched the cello strings when a voice came from behind. It was a woman’s gentle inquiry. “Elizabeth?”
Elizabeth halted her movements, her back stiffening. Forgetting how to respond, she wanted to flee instinctively. But the woman behind her wasn’t about to let her go. “Elizabeth, is that your”
Elizabeth carefully placed the cello down, her hands trembling slightly, as she glanced back, revealing half of her fragile face. “Thera, it’s me.”
She was familiar with Thera and this place, but all her feelings had changed completely.
They were part of the same band before, traveling the country. They were partners in harmony, as close as family.
Years later, the band had disbanded, and Thera had turned to teaching. Upon seeing Elizabeth again, Thera was so thrilled that her voice shook with emotion, tears brimming in her eyes. “It really is you. I never thought I’d see you again. We all thought you had…
“What did they think?” Elizabeth asked.
Thera recovered her breath before continuing, “They said that after Mr. Evans passed away, you followed…”
After all, Elizabeth had been out of the picture for three years and lost touch with all her old friends. The stir caused back then made people think
the worst.
Elizabeth offered a faint smile. I’m alive and well,”
“I knew you were okay. Thera sighed with relied. “They said you married a wealthy businessman and then jumped to your death not long after. They even daimed there was a baby during the autopsy. That’s just crazy. Don’t these people fear the consequences of spreading such lies
It was a wild story, but not entirely off the mark
Even such harsh words didn’t seem outlandish to Elizabeth. When she abruptly retired, it caused an uproar, and all kinds of rumors started flying, but she never came forward to explain.
“It’s natural for girls to chat and gossip,” Elizabeth said.
This wasn’t a joyful subject. Thera deftly changed the topic wisely. “Let’s not talk about these sad things. Are you here to practice the cello! Come and give it a try.
Facing the old cello, Elizabeth felt a wave of timidity. “I–It’s been a long time since I’ve touched a cello”
Not since she got married.
On her wedding night, the cello was the only thing she managed to safeguard, yet it was the very object Franklin wanted to destroy the most Later, the quietly returned the cello here, not daring to keep it at home where Franklin might see it
Winter had sipted in, making the days shorter and the nights longer.
Once the sun set, the music hall sparkled with light, a grand display of splendor. But it was during this time that Elizabeth had to head our carly. She had no need to return to the Jones residence and no longer wanted to keep her cello hidden. She polished the cello case until it gleamed and then shing it onto her luck..
he weight of it aluge into her spine, a real bunden so carry.
Chapter 10
As she left the building, the biting cold hit her. She trudged slowly toward the sidewalk outside, clad in a coat more suited for early autumn, the roattails flapping in the cold breeze. When she grew tired, she’d stop to reposision the cello case.
On the poorly lit path, two bright beamt of headlights cut through the darkness, making Elizabeth pause in surprise.
Her first instinct was to flee, but there was nowhere to run.
The car window rolled down, and the driver, not even looking at her, simply said, “Get in”
Elizabeth’s face was a mask as she licked her lips, the dampness on her eyelashes fading. “Why are you here? Her tone was laced with rejection and defiance.
It was like a kitten showing its claws, all bluff and no bile. Through her clear eyes, Franklin seemed to see Elizabeth from that first snowy night three years ago.
Back then, his vision had just been restored, and he was still in the throes of deception, head over heels for Elizabeth. He was willing to ignore their class differences and openly attend her final performance.
She was the orchestra’s youngest and most talented cellist, and with a voice gifted by the heavens, she became a musical actress after leaving the orchestra.
Clad in a goose–yellow skirt, she danced and leaped on stage, her voice vibrant and delicate, as clear and sweet as an oriole’s melody. Among the many young actresses on stage, each beautiful in their own right, none matched her in terms of vitality.
After the performance, even Franklin looked at her on stage with adiniration. As she took a deep bow during the curtain call, surrounded by thousands of cheering applause, she winked at him in the audience.
No man could resist such infatuated love
After the show, instead of driving to get her, he waited backstage for her to appear. She came out with her cello on her back, softly linking her arm with his, her eyes filed with warmth and brightness that could’ve humed him to mush.
Together, they strolled outside the theater where a thin layer of frost covered the ground. The theater’s roof, grand as a garden, was dusted with white frost. The cold bit at them, but inside, they were cozy and warm
Franklin draped a light tan scarf around Elizabeth’s neck, tucking it around her face, and on that snowy night, he held her face in his hands and kissed her.
Inexperienced and young back then, she was breathless from just a few kisses
Franklin held her close, kissing her from her forehead to her chin, his palm cradling her flushed cheeks as he asked, “Isn’t this cello a burden to carry around“”
Her eyes glistened, specks of stars reflecting in her pupils. “Not at all. It’s my treasure. I always need it by my side.”
Franklin’s interest was piqued. “When you’re free, will you play a song for me!”
At this, Elizabeth frowned, her brows knitting together. “No”
He loved Elizabeth deeply and didn’t press her for a reason. If she said she didn’t want to, he wouldn’t force it, never pushing or digging too deep. It was only later that Franklin Jearned her reluctance stemmed from the cello being a gift from someone else. She only ever played duets with that person
After three long years, the sight of Elizabeth with her cello still stung Franklin with humiliation.
Sensing Franklin’s unease, Elizabeth nonchalantly turned, concealing the cello out of sight behind her.
It was then that he looked up, saying with concern in his voice, I heard Lawson hit you?”
“He hits me all the time. It’s no big deal” Elizabeth replied, her tone betraying a deeper hurt.
Franklin let out a mocking laugh, thinking that Elizabeth always talked in that suffocated tone, as if she was owed something by everyone. “But Lawson found our about you donating blood to my sister. You don’t think you owe me an explanation?” Franklin asked
She was standing in the cold. The sharp wind biting at her face was bad enough, but now she had to deal with his accusations. Elizabeth’s voice chilled further. “You were the one who asked me to do it. What’s there to explain“”
“Now everyone thinks I’m the bad guy, Elizabeth. Are you really that heartless?” Franklin’s words were sharp
She let out a bitter, humorless laugh. “You’re just figuring out I’m heartless? It’s not exactly news.”
Turning on her heel, she walked away, her steps quick and eager to put distance between them. But she knew Franklin wouldn’t let her go so easily. As they moved, Franklin reached out to grab Elizabeth, only to end up touching the cello case strapped to her back–a treasure she valued above all
Chapter 40
Ar his rouch, she bristled, her entire demeanor shifting in an instant.
A wall went up, both literal and figurative, pushing Franklin away. Her face was a mask of coldness and strangeness. “Don’t you dare touch it!”
In the darkness, Franklin’s eyes flickered with a fleeting shadow of something–surprise, perhaps, or hurt.
