All Chapters of A Sonata for the Scarred: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

The second he saw Rhea, his eyes went glassy. He just stood there, staring, then let out a long breath. "You really do look like her."He dropped into the chair by her bed, tearing up. "You look... just like your mom. What happened wasn't on her. It was your dad. I've been searching for you for years. I'm just glad you're here."It was the first time Rhea had ever seen Leopold Cliburn in the flesh.She'd only ever heard the name—world-famous pianist, total legend. When she first picked up piano, he was her hero.She never thought he'd be her grandpa.After her mom died, he was all she had left.Now, seeing him up close, her throat burned.She sniffed. "Grandpa."His whole face lit up. He grabbed her hand like he never wanted to let go."That's all I needed to hear. Once you're outta here, come stay with me. The house has been way too quiet—it'll finally feel like home with you in it."Then he looked at Hank, still standing off to the side. "You probably already know—this is H

Hank stopped outside a piano studio.Rhea hesitated at the door, eyebrows scrunched. "Wait—why here?"He didn't answer. Just opened the door and led her up like he'd done it a hundred times.Upstairs, there was only one room—and dead center sat a grand piano, sleek and stupid expensive.Rhea drifted toward it. Her fingers barely grazed the keys before she jerked back like they burned.Hank sat down and played a short tune. It was clunky, awkward—and Rhea cracked up before she could stop herself.Realizing how rude it sounded, she flustered. "I wasn't laughing at you, I swear. It's just—"Hank smiled. "No offense taken. I suck. But I love it anyway. My dad took me to see Grandpa Leopold play once. That night? Changed everything. I begged to meet him after. Begged to be his student."Of course, business runs in the family and I'm the heir, so my dad shut that down fast. But he still introduced me to him. After that, I kept visiting. Tried to learn. Never clicked."He looked at h

After Eddie cut ties, Digger Corp tanked. Total wipeout. Everything got sold off to cover debt. Glenna?No longer the queen bee of anything. She had nothing. No backups. No cash. No name.The day Eddie got discharged, he went straight home. Parked himself on the couch and kept scrolling through old texts from Rhea. Again. And again.He'd called. Texted. Nothing. Her socials were dead, number gone. Like she'd disappeared off the face of the Earth.Then the front door slammed open.Glenna barged in, hair wild, eyes crazed.The butler tried to stop her, but she shoved past."Sorry, Mr. Bowie. Shouldn't have let her in."Eddie waved him off, still slouched on the couch, eyes locked on Glenna.She dropped to her knees, hands shaking too hard to grab anything."Eddie... please... help me. Help my family. I messed up, I know I did! But I only did it 'cause I loved you. I couldn't stand watching someone else take your heart—I did it all for you! Please... save me! The debt collectors

Rhea clenched her fists, back to Eddie, jaw tight.Unreal. He was even more shameless than she remembered.Did he really think throwing Glenna under the bus would magically erase everything?Like she forgot?The crash. The lies. He made all of it happen.Now he was hiding behind someone else's mess, like that'd somehow earn her forgiveness.How had she wasted three whole years loving a guy like this?Hank caught the shift in her face. "You tired? I can handle this. Go rest."Rhea took a deep breath, her eyes red but full of resolve. "No. I got this."She spun around and slapped Eddie. Hard."Mr. Bowie, my patience isn't endless. Don't make this weirder than it already is. You're not welcome here."She motioned to the guards. "Get him out. And make sure he doesn't crash any more of our parties."Then, with zero hesitation: "The Cliburns won't be inviting the Bowies to anything. Ever again."Eddie didn't even get a second glance as security dragged him out.Rhea headed stra

Since the banquet, Rhea's name was everywhere.People couldn't shut up about her solo—it had serious Leopold vibes.Industry folks kept begging her to play at their events.Rhea shut them all down—no exceptions.She had one thing on her mind: the international competition.Everything else? Total blackout.When Hank pulled up to get her like always, a Bentley cut him off outside the Cliburn estate.He scowled, ready to step out, but Rhea grabbed his arm."I know that car. It's Eddie Bowie."Right then, Eddie stepped out and knocked on the driver's side window.Hank rolled it down, eyes sharp. Eddie didn't even look at him—just locked in on Rhea with that same hopeful smile."Rhea, I've been waiting for you. Knew you'd show."She hit him with a glare. "So it's you, Mr. Bowie. What do you want?""Come down. Let's talk.""If you've got nothing worth saying, leave. This is my home now. And my family? They've never wanted you here."She stared straight ahead like he wasn't eve