Chapter 53

“Ethan Lane, I’m no saint. I know how to get even too.”
She tossed the small knife she’d been hiding in her palm onto the table. The blade’s metal clattered against a glass, the sharp sound ringing out in the hush of the bar.
Ethan Lane’s face was pale, his eyes dark and unreadable.
Emily Blair turned on her heel, facing the stunned crowd. “Here’s my gift to you all. Do you like it?”
The room was silent, everyone staring at her with wide-eyed fear.
Behind her, she could hear Ethan Lane’s footsteps as he hurried away.
Bored and unimpressed by the whole scene, Emily turned and left.
She lifted the hem of her dress, watching her step as she made her way outside. The bar was dimly lit as usual, and she had to carefully watch the stairs in the shadows-one wrong move and she could easily fall.
When she heard footsteps behind her, Emily assumed Ethan Lane had changed and was coming to settle the score.
She didn’t react, her expression perfectly composed, until suddenly a strong, unyielding hand grabbed her wrist.
Before she could resist, she was spun around, forced to face him.
Emily found herself looking into Andrew Lane’s eyes.
She frowned automatically, her voice cool. “What do you want?”
She figured Andrew was here to cause trouble too. Her tone was icy, her face even colder.
Andrew leaned in, his voice low and gravelly. “You’re braver than I thought.”
Emily arched a brow, her lips curling into a mocking smile. “Right back at you.”
In her previous life, Andrew Lane had just been one of the bystanders, content to watch the drama unfold.
Now, his grip tightened painfully on her wrist.
Emily gritted her teeth. “Let go of me!”
Andrew’s eyes narrowed, his body moving even closer, his gaze sweeping over her like a predator sizing up his territory.
“Did Ethan Lane pick out your dress?”
She gave a cold, dismissive laugh. “You already know the answer.”
Andrew’s brow twitched.
“Andrew! There you are-I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”
Isabella Austin’s gentle voice floated over from the hallway.
“Ms. Blair, you’re here too.”
Emily didn’t look away, watching as Andrew turned to Isabella, finally releasing her wrist.
Isabella walked over, unable to hide the hostility in her eyes as she glanced at Emily. “Andrew, what were you talking about with Ms. Blair?”
Emily’s expression didn’t change. She rubbed her wrist, turned, and made to leave.
But the next second, Andrew grabbed her wrist again.
Emily couldn’t hold back her irritation. She shook off his hand with force and snapped, “Mr. Lane, your girlfriend is right here. Maybe you should be a little more careful.”
Andrew’s jaw tightened, his dark eyes clouding over. “Emily Blair.”
Isabella immediately clung to Andrew’s arm, her voice sweet and coaxing. “Andrew, weren’t we going to see a movie? Let’s go, or we’ll be late.”
Emily took a few steps back, her voice calm and detached. “Mr. Lane, you’d better go enjoy your date.”
With that, she urned and left.
By the time Emily got back to her apartment, it was already midnight.
The place was dark, and she crept in quietly, assuming her mother had already gone to bed. But as she reached the living room—
Suddenly, the lights flicked on with a cheerful snap, and Emma George’s bright voice rang out.
“Emily, happy birthday!”
Emily froze in surprise. Emma stood before her, holding a beautiful cake alight with colorful candles. Her mother’s smile was wide and warm, her eyes shining.
For a moment, Emily’s eyes and nose stung with emotion.
She ducked her head. “Mom, I thought you’d forgotten my birthday.”
Emma came over and hugged her gently. “How could I forget? Come on, let’s have some cake.”
“I was waiting for you all evening. Didn’t know where you’d run off to—almost fell asleep waiting. Eat your cake, then shower and get to bed, alright?”
Emily nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. “Okay.”
They sat together, savoring the cake in companionable silence.
After a while, Emma spoke softly, not meeting her daughter’s eyes. “Emily, I’ve thought about it. I won’t push you anymore. Just focus on your studies and be happy. That’s all I want.”
Emily looked down, her grip tightening on her fork as tears spilled silently down her cheeks.
“Okay, Mom. I understand.”
After they finished the cake, Emily showered quickly, set her phone to silent— ignoring all the missed calls-and went straight to bed.
The next morning at school, her piano teacher, Ms. Carter, called her aside.
Ms. Carter was always gentle, with a kind face and a warm voice. “Emily, as I mentioned on the phone, you won’t be performing at the school celebration. The school has invited Isabella Austin and Mr. Lane to play instead.”
Emily nodded. “Alright, I understand.”
Ms. Carter’s eyes were full of sympathy. “I know how hard you’ve worked for this. It’s the school’s decision, not mine. But there’s another opportunity for you—”
“They need four emcees for the celebration, two boys and two girls. There’s still one spot open for a girl. Would you like to be a host?”
Emily looked up, disbelief flickering across her face, then nodded quickly. “Yes, I’d love to.”
Ms. Carter smiled warmly. “Great. I’ll send you the script-practice it over the next few days. After the rehearsal, you’ll go on stage.”
After school, Emily stopped by the celebration’s backstage area.
The school was making a big deal out of the event, especially since Andrew Lane
and Isabella Austin would be performing a perfect chance for some good press.
The stage was set up lavishly, with top-tier equipment everywhere.
Emily stood quietly, taking it all in.
She watched as a few workers carefully carried in a sleek black grand piano, setting
it gently on stage.
“Careful with that-that’s Mr. Lane’s piano. Don’t scratch it.”