Chapter 11: Playing a Duet with Someone Else
Sebastian’s face was calm, polite as ever. “Happy birthday.”
Vivienne pouted, clearly disappointed. “That’s it? I actually have a little birthday wish. I was hoping you might help me with it -would you?”
Sebastian glanced at her without expression, a subtle warning in his eyes.
Vivienne bit her lip, her voice soft and pitiful. “I’ve been learning a piano piece as a birthday gift to myself… but with all these people here, I’m scared I’ll mess up and embarrass myself. Could you play it with me, Sebastian?”
Hazel looked up at the stage, where a grand piano sat in the center.
Clearly prearranged.
Sebastian had only learned piano because of her.
He had practiced for three months just to surprise her with a proposal, performing “A Love Sonata” at a private event he organized just for her.
He’d worn a white suit that day, bathed in golden light. Gentle. Elegant. Dreamlike.
He had said: “Hazel, from now on, I’ll be your one and only Prince Charming. I’ll only ever play for you.”
“No.” Before Sebastian could reply, Hazel spoke up, her voice firm. She stared at him, her gaze unyielding. “I don’t agree.”
He had promised-he learned piano for her, and only her.
Was he really going to break that promise?
Sebastian lowered his gaze, looking at her jealous expression. The anxiety that had plagued him yesterday melted away, replaced with quiet
satisfaction.
He knew it. His Hazel still loved him. There was no way she had stopped caring about him.
“Alright. I won’t play.”
He reached out and affectionately patted her head.
Vivienne hadn’t expected Hazel to step in-and with such a firm stance. Her face paled like a sheet of paper ready to be swept away by the wind. Her voice was barely audible. “Okay.”
“Vivienne, it’s time! Why aren’t you on stage yet?” Yvonne called out.
“Mom, maybe I shouldn’t play after all,” Vivienne turned away, smiling faintly, but her sadness seeped through.
Yvonne couldn’t stand seeing her even slightly upset. “What happened? You’ve practiced for a month! You can’t just back out now.”
Vivienne shook her head. “I’m scared I’ll mess up and make a fool of myself. Better not to do it.”
“You’ve got Sebastian, don’t you? He can play with you!” Yvonne turned toward him eagerly. “Sebastian, you know how much this birthday means to her. Please, just play one song with her-for me.”
Sebastian frowned slightly. “I”
But Yvonne had already started to tear up. “It’s just one song. You know what she’s going through. We don’t even know if she’ll make it to her next birthday. I just want to give her everything she wishes for.”
“Mom…” Vivienne’s eyes welled with emotion. She hugged Yvonne tightly.
Hazel watched as mother and daughter put on their heartwarming little act right in front of her. It made her chest ache.
Just because Vivienne was sick, she got everything she wanted.
If she wanted Sebastián too, would their mother make Hazel divorce him and give him up?
Hazel turned to look at Sebastian-and saw the look of pity on his face.
Pity-for Vivienne.
So open. So blatant. Right in front of her.
It felt like someone was squeezing her heart with both hands. Even breathing became painful.
And sure enough, Sebastian said next, in a low voice, “Babe, I’ll just play one song.”
Hazel let out a bitter laugh, watching him with a look that said she saw this coming.
He quickly added, trying to explain, “I’m her attending physician. I know her condition better than anyone.”
Yvonne immediately realized what was going on. So it wasn’t Sebastian who was unwilling-it was Hazel who had objected.
She turned on her, furious. “Do you even have a heart? It’s just one piano piece-can’t you do that much for
your
sister?”
“Or are you just waiting for her to die so you can have everything to yourself?”
Her voice rose, drawing attention. Guests started whispering.
“The older sister has leukemia, and the younger one is jealous over a song? Seriously?”
“No wonder their parents favor the older one. Hazel sounds heartless.”
With the growing support of the crowd, Yvonne’s scolding only grew nastier. “If I could choose, I’d rather you were the one who got sick, not her!”
Hazel tasted blood in the back of her throat but swallowed it down. She forced a smile. “Well, too bad. Life’s full of disappointments.”
“Mom, please don’t blame Hazel anymore.” Vivienne quickly jumped in to calm Yvonne down. She looked at Sebastian and smiled sweetly. “It’s okay, Sebastian. If it’s too much trouble for you, we don’t have to play.”
“Let’s go,” Sebastian said flatly.
He walked straight toward the stage without sparing Hazel a glance.
Yvonne immediately helped Vivienne up as well.
The lights dimmed. A spotlight shone on the stage.
Sebastian stood there in a perfectly tailored black suit. Vivienne wore a white satin gown.
They looked just like a bride and groom.
Hazel stood in the shadows. At that moment, she felt like nothing but an outsider. The man on stage-that wasn’t her husband.
“They look perfect together.”
“Yeah, like a prince and princess. Honestly, they match better than he ever did with Hazel.”
“Such a shame about Vivienne. So young, and already sick. Never even had a boyfriend.”
The soft sound of the piano filled the room. Everyone was entranced by the melody.
Everyone except Hazel.
She stared at their hands flying over the keys-four hands, one piano.
A memory flashed before her eyes.
Sebastian once held her in his arms, teaching her how to play four hand duets.
He’d whispered, “Never play like this with another man, alright? If I ever catch you….”
She had teased, “What’ll you do if you catch me?”
He’d leaned in and murmured, “I’ll cut off his hands and lock you up.”
She had laughed so brightly, snuggled into his chest. “And you? Will you ever play with another woman?”
“Of course not.”
“If you do, I’ll leave you.”
“Don’t you dare.”
He had tickled her, and she’d giggled happily in his arms.
But now…
The light in Hazel’s eyes faded.
Sebastian. I dared.
And I meant it.
I really won’t want you anymore.
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