Chapter 3

It wasn't a wish from years ago.

It was a brand-new promise Claire had just written.

I zoomed in on the photo and saw Julian's blood smeared on the bottom right corner of the page.

At the hospital, they found my eardrum hadn't ruptured, but my hearing had dropped even further.

My doctor, Dr. Collins, managed to reach an overseas specialist who happened to be in the country for an exchange program and was willing to operate on me the next day.

"This is the best chance you've got right now."

Dr. Collins slid the consent form across the desk.

"I can't promise how much you'll get back after surgery. But if you keep putting it off, you could lose all hearing in your right ear. You need to decide soon."

"I'll do it."

As soon as I'd signed, my lawyer, Daniel Brooks, sent over the divorce agreement he'd drafted.

I wanted none of the assets in Claire's name.

In the past three years, I'd composed seventeen scores for her arts company.

The best known of them, "Echo," was the piece I'd written in memory of my mother.

Claire had once promised it would never be given to anyone else to sing.

As I walked out of the exam room, Megan Hayes, Claire's assistant at the company, called me.

"Mr. Reed, you need to come to the theater right away. Mr. Shaw is debuting 'Echo' at tonight's brand event.

"Ms. Bennett says the song's been transferred to him, but haven't you always held the copyright?"

I went straight to the theater.

Onstage, Julian was doing a sound check.

He hit several wrong notes, but Claire sat patiently in the audience, coaching him line by line.

I walked onstage and cut the backing track.

Julian gripped the mic, his smile fading.

"Evan, perfect timing. Can you tell me what I need to fix?"

"This song isn't licensed to you."

Claire got up and walked over.

"The contract's signed and the event starts tonight. Don't be difficult."

"You don't own the copyright."

Claire stopped in front of me and lowered her voice.

"We're married. Anything created during the marriage is marital property. I have the right to decide how it's used.

"Besides, Julian's wish is to get back onstage, and 'Echo' suits him best. After the event, all the proceeds go to you."

I looked at her.

"You know exactly who I wrote this for!"

Claire pinched the bridge of her nose.

"It's just a song. Don't drag your mother into this. Julian gave up his career to marry me back then. I owe him."

Julian came down from the stage and pushed the mic into my hand.

"Evan, I know it's hard to let go of. How about you accompany me tonight?

"Once people see us getting along, the fuss over the remarriage ceremony will blow over on its own. You won't even need to put out a statement. It's a win-win.

"Claire says your hearing isn't that bad anyway, and you don't need your ears to play piano."

He smiled and pointed at the audience.

The front row was full of Claire's business partners.

The posters had already been swapped out.

Julian's name was printed as both composer and original performer.

Mine sat at the very bottom, credited as the piano accompanist.

Claire handed me an authorization form.

"Sign it. When tonight's over, I'll go to the hospital with you."

"My surgery is tomorrow."

"Push it back two days. Julian's just making his comeback. Nothing can go wrong."

"The specialist is only in the country for one day."

She faltered, then looked away.

"I'll find you someone better."

It was the third time she'd told me to wait.

I tore the authorization form in half.

"If anyone uses 'Echo' tonight, I'll sue them for infringement."

Julian took half a step back, his eyes glassy.

"Claire, let it go. If Evan doesn't want me to, I can sing something else. It's all the same."

Claire took hold of my wrist. Her grip wasn't hard, but it kept me from leaving.

"You really have to humiliate him in front of all these people?"

"Let go."

"Sign it, and I will."

I looked up at her.

"And if I don't?"

Claire took a document from Megan.

It was the addendum I'd signed three years ago when I joined the company.

In the rights section, stamped plain as day, was my signature stamp.

"You've already authorized it."

I stared at the stamp.

"Where did you get that?"

Julian spoke up softly, "I stopped by your place last night to look for some medicine and saw it in the study. Claire's only borrowing it. Don't get so worked up."

Claire let go of my hand.

"I'll give the stamp back after the event."

The stage lights blazed on.

The host announced from the stage, "Next, please welcome renowned musician Julian Shaw, performing his original composition—'Echo'!"

Applause broke out.

Claire turned to straighten Julian's bow tie.

I stood in the shadows and sent my lawyer the video of the scene along with my original handwritten score.

I didn't stop the performance.

When Julian finished "Echo," the whole room erupted in applause.

He thanked Claire publicly, saying she'd stood by him and helped him out of his lowest point and find the courage to create again.

Claire sat in the front row, watching him.

I hadn't seen that kind of focus in her eyes in three years.

When the event was over, she finally remembered me.

"Where did you go? I'll have the driver take you back to the hospital."

"No need. I'll go myself."

"You're still upset over one song?"