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When Clarisse wheeled her suitcase out of Veloria Airport, sunlight poured gently through the clouds,
casting a golden warmth across her shoulder. For the first time in a while, she felt at ease.
She had come to this city of music to pursue her love of the piano once more.
The apartment she rented sat in the heart of the city. It was not large, but it was clean, bright, and cozy. It
was equipped with a well–tuned piano and a south–facing floor–to–ceiling window.
Her favorite part of the day was always the same. When the sun was high and steady, she would sit by the window and play. The light streamed through the glass, dancing across the black and white keys, while
her fingers followed the shifting glow, fluttering across the keys like wings in flight.
Every note carried bits of her pain away. With each day of repeated practice, her spirit settled into peace with the melody.
It had been months since that broken marriage came to its end. The agony and confusion had long since
been replaced by the rush of constant practices and the joy of chasing her dream again.
Her days were busy but satisfying. She almost immersed herself completely in the world of music.
Though some nights were still haunted by the nightmares, she had learned to wipe the tears from the corners of her eyes and gently remind herself it was all over.
At a cafe, Clarisse wrapped up her part–time shift for the day.
“Clarisse!” a warm, low voice called out from the door.
She turned to look.
Zachary Sinclair was leaning casually against the frame, dressed in a charcoal–gray wool coat tailored to perfection. He smiled and waved. The scent of fresh–baked bread drifted over from the exquisite paper bag in his hand.
“Zachary, you’re here.” Clarisse greeted him with a gentle smile and a small nod.
They had met at a music gathering. He was a well–regarded pianist in Veloria. He was struck by the raw emotion and quiet resilience in Clarisse’s performance, like the way her music seemed to claw its way
out of darkness.
He admired her talent, but even more, he admired the steel hidden beneath her soft exterior.
Without ever making a show of it, he had helped her get a few critical performance opportunities, quietly clearing a path for her when she was still finding her footing.
“There’s a new bakery that just opened around the corner,” he said. “I was walking past, and the pleasant smell nearly knocked me over. Didn’t you say you love croissants? Here, try this one.”
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Clarisse opened the bag and took a bite on the spot. The buttery aroma hit instantly. The crust flaked under her teeth, while the insides were light, soft, and delicately sweet. Her eyes fluttered shut in delight as she enjoyed the delicacy.
“This is incredible! It’s the best croissant I’ve ever had!” She gave him a big thumbs–up.
Zachary chuckled, watching her indulge in her food joyfully. There was a hint of fondness in his eyes.
“Knew you’d like it.” He paused for a moment, then added, “Clarisse, there’s an upcoming duet piano
competition. It’s a pretty good one. Want to enter it with me?”
Clarisse’s eyes widened. “Me?”
“Of course.” His smile deepened. “You’re the one I wanted to play beside the most.”
She hesitated for a moment before nodding. These past few weeks, she had buried herself in solitary practice. She wanted to find out what it was like to be on a stage again.
Chapter 16
Chapter 16
