Chapter 2
The next morning, I woke up to find Edward already gone. He’d left breakfast ready on the table, along with a note: [Hey love, I’m going back home. Make sure you eat. Don’t worry, I’ll have your back with my parents.]
I looked around the house and noticed the cello that usually dominated the living room was missing. The thick layer of dust left behind caught my eye, and I went to grab a mop from the bathroom. As soon as I placed it on the floor, a tile on the other side popped up slightly. Edward and I had been hands–on with every detail of this house’s renovation–something like this shouldn’t have slipped through.
Curious, I reached down to fix the tile and found a neatly wrapped voice recorder. When I switched it on, Edward’s deep, raspy voice drifted out alongside the cello’s soothing melody.”
“Judy, you’re tying the knot today, and it tears me up inside. Consider this piece my gift to you…“}
“Judy, she asked me to play for her again, but I promised you, I’d only ever play for you. She doesn’t deserve it…“}
“Judy, she’s been good to me, but I don’t regret a thing I’ve done for her. As long as you’re happy, I’d do anything…“}
And just like that, everything clicked. No wonder Edward always dodged my requests to play for me. That cello was meant for Judy alone. He must have taken it today to play her favorite song at the estate. The Reyes brothers‘ love was either out in the open or kept under wraps, but it all revolved around Judy.
On the way to the estate, memories of the kidnapping rushed back. Those three days and nights of torture were hell. By the time I was rescued, my chest was a mess, my clothes stuck to me with dried blood. I can still feel the sting from when the doctor peeled them off, skin and all. That pain still haunts me. The whole ordeal was recorded and spread across the town by nightfall. To this day, nightmares jolt me awake, but Edward never showed a hint of regret.
scored and s
“Ma’am, we’re here…” The driver’s voice snapped me back, and I realized my clothes were soaked with cold sweat again. I wanted a moment to pull myself together, but Alyssa’s shrill voice cut through, “John, didn’t I tell you to use the side entrance? Forget again and you’ll lose this month’s pay!“}
She turned to me, sneering, “Why are you still in the car? You think you are so special? Next time, remember to use the back door!“}
Marrying into the Reyes family with a scandal on my back made me their shame. Edward used to be my courage to face this place, but hearing that music from the hall, my heart felt like it was crumbling all over again. Sensing the commotion, Edward and Judy appeared.]
Judy quickly took my arm, beaming, “Isabella, you’re so lucky. Edward’s amazing on the cello. Too bad Charlie’s not here to enjoy it today. Come on, have him play us another song.”
I glanced at Edward, and a shadow of reluctance flitted through his dark, unreadable eyes. “Let’s skip it, Isabella. Lunch is almost ready. The cello needs a break.“}
A bitter smile crept onto my lips. So he really would only play for her.”
