William stood beside the pile of ashes and debris. When he saw the violin, burned beyond recognition, he almost forgot how to breathe.That violin had been Charlotte’s eighteenth-birthday gift from him.He remembered that day vividly. She had worn a white cocktail dress, a diamond tiara resting on her curled hair. It was the first time she had put on a full, elegant makeup look. Holding Frank’s arm, she descended the staircase slowly, lighting up the entire room.When she saw him, her smile was so bright it felt like it warmed the air around her.She let go of Frank’s arm and ran straight toward him, tugging his sleeve playfully. “William, where’s my gift?”When he handed her the violin, she had leaned into his arms, acting spoiled and sweet.She once told him she would play only for him.Later, he learned she had secretly changed her college major to medicine. She had given up more than ten years of violin training so she could study how to treat his insomnia.She had always k
Read more