Chapter 2

When the rain slowed down, I took a cab back to Lincoln Center.

The heritage cello I used for rehearsals was still backstage. I had to get it back.

That cello was the last remaining masterpiece hand-crafted by my great-grandfather. It was a priceless historical relic.

Originally, it was scheduled to be officially donated to the Metropolitan Museum of Art after the performance.

I was worried that the stage crew might damage it if they moved it carelessly.

But when I rushed into the backstage dressing room, I froze. Chloe and Chase were there, celebrating.

They were dancing closely, their bodies pressed together in an intimate hold.

"Ethan can't even compare to you, Chase. He spends all day hugging that piece of old wood. Did he really think he was worthy of performing here? In his dreams!"

Chloe's words drew loud laughter from the crew.

My fists clenched. She really had no soul.

Thinking of Grandpa's hopeful eyes on his deathbed, and my mother's hair that had gone white overnight, I couldn't hold back anymore. I burst into the room.

But when I looked at the table, horror struck me. My heritage cello was buried under a pile of random trash, and a half-open can of Coke was knocked over next to it.

The dark, sticky liquid was dripping right onto the rare wood panel of the instrument.

My heart stopped. I violently shoved Chase aside and roared, "Get the hell away!"

A heritage cello made of rare aged wood is extremely vulnerable to moisture. If the acidic soda soaked into the wood, the instrument would be ruined.

I dropped to my knees, frantically brushing the trash away, using my sleeves to carefully wipe the liquid off the strings and the body.

Before I could inspect the damage further, Chloe shoved me hard from behind.

"Are you insane?!" she screamed. "How dare you lay a hand on him? Do you know how many millions of fans Chase has? If he gets hurt, they'll tear you to pieces!"

Looking at her, I felt a deep, chilling amusement.

Amused by her sheer ignorance, and amused by my own stupidity for wasting three years of my life on her.

I slowly stood up and looked her dead in the eyes. "This cello is a registered national treasure. It was supposed to be moved to the Met next week. If it is damaged because of you, the price you pay will be more than you can ever afford!"

The room fell dead silent for a second.

Then, a loud scoff broke the silence.

Chase crossed his arms, walking toward me with pure disdain.

"You really love making up stories, don't you? Since when does the Met accept random garbage? If it's really that valuable, would you just leave it lying around here?"

"Chase is right," Chloe chimed in, sneering. "You're just jealous that Chase won first place, so you're here to make a scene!"

Chloe and Chase mocked me back and forth, and the rest of the dance crew joined in, laughing loudly.

I ignored them. I picked up the cello, wanting nothing more than to leave this place.

I had already failed Grandpa once. This time, I had to protect the last thing he left behind, no matter what.

Seeing me walk away, Chloe felt her pride wounded. She screamed behind me, trying to humiliate me further.

"Keep pretending, Ethan! I regret not dumping a loser like you sooner. A useless piece of trash like you deserves to spend the rest of your life hugging that rotten wood!"

Her words hit my ears, but they couldn't stir a single wave in my heart anymore.

I merely smiled. In a way, I was relieved.

At least I finally saw her for what she was.

Suddenly, Chase stepped in front of me and kicked me hard in the chest.

The cello slipped from my arms and hit the hard floor with a dull, heavy thud.

"No!"

When I saw the corner of the rare wood crack against the concrete, my heart shattered into pieces.