Chapter 5: The Hidden Enemy

Ethan spent the entire night thinking about the anonymous message. He read it over and over until the words were burned into his memory.

Watch your back. Some things are better left buried.

Jason was arrogant, but he wasn't subtle. If Jason wanted to threaten someone, he would usually hide behind a smile, not an anonymous phone number. That meant someone else knew what had happened—or at least suspected that Ethan was no longer the naïve younger brother everyone believed him to be.

The next morning, Ethan bought a new SIM card and backed up every video from his hidden camera onto an encrypted cloud account and two flash drives. He refused to lose his evidence a second time.

When he arrived at Harmony School of Music, the atmosphere felt different. Groups of students whispered excitedly in the corridors, and several of them glanced toward the practice hall.

What happened? Ethan asked a passing classmate.

"You haven't heard?" the student replied. "Professor Morris criticized Jason during his private rehearsal this morning. He said the composition lacked emotion and felt unfinished."

Ethan hid his satisfaction.

Of course it sounded unfinished.

Jason was trying to polish a trap.

Inside the piano studio, Professor Morris stood beside the grand piano while Jason replayed the melody for the third time.

The professor finally raised his hand.

Enough."

Jason looked up. "Is something wrong, Professor?"

"You are technically gifted," Professor Morris said, "but this piece feels empty. It sounds like someone began writing it and simply stopped halfway. The melody has no destination."

Jason forced a smile. "I'll improve it."

"I hope you do. The National Youth Music Competition is only three months away."

As students filed out of the room, Ethan noticed Jason's confident smile disappear the moment nobody was looking.

For the first time, pressure had reached the golden son.

That afternoon, Ethan visited the school library instead of going straight home. Hidden in the back corner was a small archive containing recordings of past national competitions. He spent hours studying the winning performances—not to copy them, but to understand what made them unforgettable.

Every champion had one thing in common.

They told a story.

Not through words...

But through music.

Ethan opened his notebook and began composing again.

He wasn't rewriting the song Jason had stolen.

He was creating something entirely new.

A melody that carried grief, betrayal, hope, and rebirth.

A melody only someone who had lived two lives could create.

Hours passed without him noticing.

By the time he finally closed the notebook, the library was nearly empty.

A slow clap echoed behind him.

He turned.

Lily Hart stood near the entrance with an amused smile.

"I've been listening for ten minutes."

Ethan quickly closed the notebook.

"I'm sorry. I didn't realize anyone was here."

"You don't need to apologize," Lily replied. "That melody... I've never heard anything like it."

He hesitated.

"I've only finished the opening."

"If that's only the beginning, I can't wait to hear the ending."

Before Ethan could answer, another voice interrupted them.

Well, isn't this interesting?

Jason.

He stood outside the library doors with his hands in his pockets, wearing his usual friendly smile.

"There you are, Ethan. Dad was wondering why you weren't home."

Lily politely excused herself and walked away, but Ethan noticed Jason watching her leave.

When they were alone, Jason's smile faded.

"You've been avoiding me."

"I've been busy."

"Busy hiding your songs?"

Ethan met his brother's eyes without flinching.

I thought you said I lost them.

For a brief moment, neither of them spoke.

Then Jason laughed.

"You've changed."

So have you.

Jason stepped closer until only a few inches separated them.

"I don't know what game you're playing..."

"...but remember this."

"You've never beaten me before."

Ethan smiled calmly.

"There's a first time for everything."

Jason stared at him for several seconds before turning and walking away.

Ethan watched him disappear down the hallway.

That conversation confirmed one thing.

Jason had realized something was wrong.

The easy victim he used to manipulate was gone.

That evening, Ethan returned home and reviewed the hidden camera footage once more.

Most of it was ordinary.

Then, just before midnight, someone entered his room.

It wasn't Jason.

The person wore a dark hoodie and gloves, moving carefully through the darkness. They searched the bookshelf, desk, and wardrobe before quietly leaving without taking anything.

The security camera had captured only one clear detail.

As the stranger reached for the doorknob, a silver ring engraved with a wolf's head briefly reflected the moonlight.

Ethan froze the video.

He had seen that ring before.

He just couldn't remember where.

But one thing was certain.

Jason wasn't the only person hunting his music.

Somewhere in the shadows...

Another enemy had entered the game.