ooked at the guitar case resting on my bed. It wasn't just wood and strings, it was my grandfather' s hands, my father' s songs, my entire history packed into a

about to

ok for genuine concern. She lay on the couch, a thin blanket pulled up to her chin, her face pale. She had made it look so convi

. The doctor said this treatment is our only shot. T

ic... your gr

art clenching. "You're not. I can always

ed up the heavy case, the weight of it feeling like an anchor pulling me down. Every step toward the door felt like a betrayal of my past, but I believed it was for our future. I p

a man named Mr. graves, looked me over with cold, calculating eyes. He didn't care a

said, his voice flat. "I'll

t. This was Chloe' s chance. As I stuffed the money into my pocket, a wave of profound loss washed over me,

ices coming from a side room, the door s

ieve he actu

ness she had been faking for a month. My blood ran cold. I froze, pr

he continued, and another voice joined in, high

om the security feed! His face when he han

The same Mark I had beaten for the conservatory scholarship two yea

le music career was ever going anywhere. This is for humiliating Mark, for thinking he was better

d. "What about his 'l

aste in women. He'll believe anything I tell him. I'll just say th

fts I worked at the diner, the meals I skipped so she could have a new dress, the nights I stayed up writing songs for her, songs she probably laughed

the door, my hand flying to my mouth to stifle a cry. The cash in my pocket felt like a burning coal agains

ned against the cold brick of the building, gasping for air. The betrayal was so absolute, so profound, it felt like a physical assault. My lungs burned, my vision swam. I slid

ss than nothing. I was a

, my fingers numb, expecting a text from Chloe asking if I had the money yet. But the number was unfamil

el

ex Miller?" a calm, profes

anaged to

estate of the late Mr. Alistair Miller. I'm afraid I ha

nder the fresh, gaping wound of Chloe's betrayal. We

ar that," I said

nderson continued, his tone gentle. "It is... quite substantial. It is imper

ial. It sounded like a movie. It couldn't be real. But then, a tiny

. A wa

d absolute. I was done. Done with Chloe, done with Mark, done with this l

I had pulled from my pocket. It was meant to be her salvation. Now, it was my escape. I stood up, my leg

-