Chapter 20
“Are all the things packed? We’ll be heading out soon,” Connor gently reminded Holly as he carried several bags in his hands.
“All set!” Holly replied with a smile, slinging her violin case over her shoulder.
Back in her college days, a friend had given her a concert ticket because they were unable to attend it. She remembered sitting in a grand and dazzling concert hall, watching performers in elegant gowns and sharp suits.
At the front stood a conductor, and as his baton moved, the soft and profound music began to flow. The lively yet solemn tune of the violin stood out the most, and the melodious sound it made completely captivated Holly.
From then on, she had decided to learn the violin,
But with limited finances at the time, all she could manage was to learn to play it through online videos. When she didn’t understand something, she’d shamelessly ask music teachers and art students for help. Then, she would practice again and again in her dorm every night.
Later in life, when she had the means, she enrolled in private lessons. No matter how busy she was, she always made time to practice.
But ever since she dedicated her life to loving Jasper, she was tormented endlessly by Nadine’s shameless provocations and Jasper’s cold indifference. He didn’t want her to show herself in public. He wanted her to remain a trophy wife who catered to him and him alone in their villa.
Thankfully, it wasn’t too late to start now.
Connor had studied piano since childhood. He understood the effort it took to master an instrument. Seeing the joy on Holly’s face when she played, he was willing to accompany her to do the things she loved.
They would grow together, walking side by side on a path that stretched far, far into the future.
For the past six months, they would light a bonfire by the sea and sit quietly around it every night. Holly would play the violin while Connor sang.
They recorded videos of their performances and shared them online. Unexpectedly, they gained quite a following. They had millions of fans before they even realized it.
Not long ago, organizers of a major music festival in Aldrike stumbled upon one of their videos and invited them to perform in Solmara State.
Holly wore a floor–length gown in a shimmering Tiffany blue shade. She wore a dazzling necklace around her neck and put on exquisite makeup. Wearing black stiletto heels, she held onto the arm of the tall and sharply dressed Connor as they walked into the studio together.
G
Holly slowly made her way down the spotlight–covered red carpet. Thousands of people in the audience cheered for them. She walked toward the stage slowly but steadily.
In a daze, she seemed to see the humble “Holly” from years ago in the crowd. She wore dull, faded clothes as she stood quietly in the crowd, waving tearfully to her in farewell.
Starting that moment, every step she took was toward the future.
This was the first time Holly and Connor had performed together. After much discussion, they chose Ernst’s “The Last Rose of Summer“.
The elegant and sorrowful tune of the violin filled the hall, stirring melancholy in the audience.
Then, a light piano melody entered at just the right moment.
It felt like someone lost in despair–someone who had given up on life, prepared to spend their days in lonely silence–had suddenly seen a beam of light break into their world. From hesitant touches to shared daily routines, their love now filled every moment.
As the piece ended, the audience sat in stunned silence, unable to react.
Only after the two bowed did the room erupt into thunderous applause. When the video was uploaded to the Internet, many said it was the most emotional piece of music they had ever heard.
Back in the dressing room, Holly flopped onto the couch and let out a breath of relief. She looked at Connor with a lazy smile and said, “I was super nervous just now. And seeing you being so serious for once… I almost laughed on stage.”
Connor pinched her cheek. “Honestly, so was 1.”
The room went quiet for a second. Then, both of them burst into raucous laughter, looking at one another helplessly.
