Chapter 3

Back at my apartment, I grabbed my ID documents, shoved them deep into my bag, and booked an express train ticket.

After tomorrow night's performance, I was gone for good.

***

At exactly seven, the alumni gala auditorium was blazing with lights.

The second I stepped out of the car, cold air swept through the side entrance, making my fingers stiff.

Damien stood by the door on his phone.

The second he saw me, he hung up and studied my face.

"Why are you so pale?"

He pulled a piece of candy from his suit pocket and held it out. "Eat this first."

The wrapper was lemon yellow.

My old favorite.

Damien always said they were way too sour, but he still kept a box in his car.

I looked at the candy.

Like my silence was nothing new, he tugged my shawl higher.

"Cover up. It's freezing backstage."

The gesture was so familiar.

For a second, I almost forgot this was the same hand that had threatened me with that video last night.

Then Shannon called from nearby.

"Damien, I think my earpiece is messed up."

His hand stopped.

A second later, he pulled away and went to her.

"Let me see."

Shannon stood in a white gown while a few people fussed over her makeup.

She tilted her head as Damien leaned in to check her earpiece.

They were way too close.

Close enough that when he looked down, she was all he saw.

I stood there, crushing the candy wrapper in my hand.

Something sour was already rising in my throat.

Shannon caught my eye in the mirror and smiled. "Mia, you actually came."

She pulled out her earpiece and walked over like she'd just remembered I existed.

"After how mad you were last night, I figured you'd bail on me today."

She looped her arm through mine.

Damien noticed.

Then Shannon pressed her fingers right over the bruise on my wrist.

I flinched.

His brow twitched, but that was it.

"Don't touch her hand. She still has to play."

Not concern.

He just didn't want me messing up Shannon's performance.

Shannon let go fast and blinked all innocent.

"I'm just excited."

Damien didn't say anything else.

But the second he turned to talk to a staff member, Shannon leaned in again.

"You know that box of notes? Damien had someone bring it out of his study.

"I was only gonna read a few, but he said it was fine.

"He said you never stay mad at him anyway."

My breath caught.

I looked across the room at Damien.

He was checking Shannon's program, totally calm.

Like none of it mattered.

'So he was the one who gave them to her...'

Satisfied, Shannon stepped back with a sweet little smile.

"Mia, you're pathetic."

A staff member rushed over to call her to the stage.

Right before she left, Shannon coughed.

Damien grabbed a bottle of water, twisted off the cap, and handed it to her.

"Drink. Don't mess up your throat."

Then he looked at me.

All the warmth was gone.

"You too. Get over there. Don't hold up her performance."

Then the MC's voice rang out.

"Next up, please welcome Shannon Drew."

Applause filled the room.

A staff member led me to the piano.

The second the spotlight hit, the audience disappeared into darkness.

But I knew Damien was in the front row.

Of course he was.

Always sitting where I could see him.

Always watching me bend for him.

Shannon stood center stage, smiling into the mic.

"I'd like to dedicate this song to my best friend, Mia Martinez."

The crowd applauded.

She turned to me with a sweet smile.

"Thanks for taking care of Damien for me all these years."

The applause died fast.

Then came the snickers.

My fingers settled on the keys.

The first note hit, and something inside me cracked.

I'd written this piece for Damien's senior year.

I'd never played it for anyone.

I'd only mentioned it once, in letter number thirty-seven:

[On graduation day, I want to play it for you.]

So he'd given Shannon this too.

Just to help launch her career.

Halfway through the chorus, the giant screen behind us suddenly lit up.

My stomach dropped.

My letters.

One after another, scanned in perfect detail.

[Damien lent me his eraser today. I want to keep it forever.]

[He didn't look at me today, but I still thought he was amazing.]

[If he falls for someone else someday, I'll still wish him happiness.]

The room went dead silent.

Then everyone started laughing.

My fingers locked over the keys.

I hit the wrong note.

Shannon spun around, looking horrified. "What is this? Why would the backstage crew put those up?"

Her eyes turned red as she looked at Damien. "Damien, I didn't do this..."

Damien finally stood.

But when he came onstage, he went straight to Shannon and stepped in front of her.

Then he looked at me.

Cold.

"Mia. Did you seriously have to pull this crap?"