d daybed, the early light flowing through gauzy dra

terious woman at the door. She had stashed it i

rounding her, she finally da

he letter. The interior contains a s

Ro

uys time, but not enough. You must completely compl

your confide

fri

. The words reverberated in her

raised her pulse thumping. There was no autho

cklace around her neck and wondered if she had jeopardi

or. Emily, the maid, looked insi

e. Thank you, Emil

dside table with poached eggs and avocado on artisan

d gently, her eyes filled

e girl had been courteous, but trust was a lux

each spoonful lingering on her tongue. Her gaze kept drifting to the pac

. The clock chiming. Drummond would come in twenty mi

instruments to the house. It was a slight comfort that she could req

housekeeper, greeted Drummond and James. Drummond held a

in a stern voice. "Per clause fourteen, we re

d to her wardrobe and got out her violin case, an ancient cherry-wood instrument aged and polished from ye

ay the instrument, its strings taut and the varnish warm in the light. She

a paper from his portfolio where the clause was written. "It

d gulped hard.

iolin in his hand. It was over in an instant

voice pleasant. He turned and

ce of her soul. She touched her neck, where th

m." If you would prefer to play on approved occasions, please sub

a small nod.

lize this is challenging. But you are

aw tightened. "Yes. I am

sympathetic tilt of hi

entry under the banner Morning After Surrender. Her pen paused before s

Music had always been her heart's language, now, without

. Emily came with a l

s. Pitts," curtly. "

he cracked it open to discover an invitation to a charity dinner that evening at the Air Hot

Rose

Pitts' Annual Black Tie Gala, which su

RSVP by

rating music, given the loss of her instrumen

help you with your ward

ht, she had to stand beside Julius and show herself as the model socialite

ge," she s

odded a

ard in her purse. She paused at a window overlooking the terraced gardens. The jasmine

the screen, which contained Harris

is voice

e questioned the h

y. "But... I got your letter. A

etter this morning. Someone ale

be careful. There are those that are tenac

tened. "I will

racked. "I don't dese

eyes. "You dese

ove

e you,

nded heavier now tonight, strangers surrounded her,

e donned a pale blue chiffon column dres

for tonight's gala

but impersonal. However, there was no time to disag

e lying on her collarbone. She stared into the glass and could hardly identify

fully. "Shall I escor

ed. "Tha

les were draped in dark blue linens, with white orchid centerpieces lighted by candles

em at the door: "M

tuxedo that looked to be formed. He stretched his arm

socialites, and musicians. People gr

nthropists. "I'm extremely delighted you could

, his glass of champagne poised in midair. He raised an eyebrow and offered a small

olin under her arm. She curtsied. "Mrs. Pitts, Ms. Callahan,

tightened. The Sonata. The

ose. "Perhaps we

a nod. "Y

ark commemorating music's potential to heal. Rose stood at his side, lips curled

side corridor, her heels clicking quietly. She entered a little anteroom wi

he robe smooth. Her reflection felt strange, muffled, confined, and bound by expectations

behind her as

. Pi

ttractive in a black suit, with troubl

answer but then closed

lin. "If there is anything I can do..." His words f

ou," she

ans' lounge here. Practice rooms

, tears burning he

faltered.

k. "If you cha

peek back, so h

ted to make their way to the exit. Rose rejoined Julius at the valet s

up at the stars that twinkled above the city's smoke. So

lack automobile. She slipped insid

ced down and noticed one new notification, a phot

open

t the music vault door, the bow dangling

o caption

y to be played but by whom and for what purpose? Rose's world revolves around