(Emily's POV)
"You really decided this?" Liam's voice was low.
I nodded, my mind made up. "Summer Night's Star was custom-made for me by my mother. Yet, I gave it all up for the family... for five years."
I let out a soft sigh.
"What about now?" Liam's voice was barely above a whisper. "If you return to your music, you'll be performing a lot. You'll be busy. You won't have much time for your husband or your son."
"Caleb's health is fine now," I replied, my tone colder than I intended. "He doesn't need me to hover over him anymore."
Liam's silence filled the space between us for a moment before he asked, "What about Ethan? Do you think he will agree with this?"
At the mention of his name, my mood soured, my eyes turning cold. "I don't need his permission for my own life."
Liam looked at me for a moment before speaking again, his voice softer. "But he won't like you and I getting close, you know."
I felt the guilt rise, an old wound resurfacing. "I know," I murmured. "I distanced myself from you because of Ethan's words... I'm sorry."
Liam's face softened as he shook his head. "Emily, you don't need to apologize. I should be the one apologizing. I promised your mother I would protect you. But I failed, and you've suffered for it."
Liam had been my mentor, my guide, from the time I was a child, learning violin under my mother's tutelage. Now, he was one of the most renowned violinists in the world. His fame was almost on par with the biggest stars in Hollywood, and his dashing looks made him a dream for many.
But none of it mattered when it came to Ethan. He was still no match for someone like Ethan Carter.
"It's not your fault, Liam. It's me. I chose this."
Before Liam could respond, a soft voice interrupted from behind.
"Emily, what a surprise to see you here."
I turned to see Sophia, draped in a white dress that seemed too pure for the likes of me.
What are the odds I'd run into her twice in one day? Lucky me.
I remained aloof, my voice clipped. "What's it to you?"
Sophia smiled sweetly, her tone almost playful. "Don't be upset, Emily. I just find it strange that Ethan's finally home, yet you're not at home making dinner for him."
Her words dripped with faux innocence.
But I could hear the underlying challenge in her voice—she was taunting me.
I lifted my chin, meeting her gaze without flinching. "Is it really strange? Or is it just that you've been monopolizing all of Ethan's free time? I'm surprised you didn't already know that."
Sophia's eyes widened, her face showing a hint of panic. She grabbed my hand, desperate. "Emily, please, you don't understand. That's not what I meant—"
I cut her off, the irritation boiling over. "No, if you don't understand, it's because you lack self-awareness. People who lack that are just annoying."
Sophia opened her mouth to respond, but before she could say anything, she suddenly gasped and stumbled backward, her hands flailing as if she were about to fall.
I didn't even have time to react when a tall figure appeared, catching her before she hit the ground.
"Sophia, are you okay?" Ethan's voice was laced with concern as he gently steadied her.
Sophia, with her pale face, looked up at him, her eyes welling up with tears, as if she had just suffered some great injustice.
"Ethan, I'm fine... but Emily, she didn't mean to—please, don't blame her."
Ethan's gaze shifted from Sophia to me, his expression hardening when he noticed me standing there.
"Emily," he said, his voice growing cold, "apologize to Sophia."
I heard the familiar command in his voice, but this time, something inside me snapped.
Once upon a time, I would have immediately apologized, pleading my case to him, desperately trying to explain myself. I'd have begged him to believe me, to understand.
But now, everything was different.
A bitter laugh escaped me. "Why should I apologize to her? Who do you think you are?"
Ethan paused, his brow furrowing in disbelief. "What did you just say?"
I held his gaze, my voice cold. "When I cared about you, I let you say whatever you wanted. But now? What are you to me?"
Ethan froze. His silence stretched between us like an uncomfortable void.
Just as I was about to stand up, Caleb's small voice broke the silence.
"Mom, you always taught me that when we make a mistake, we should apologize. So, if you did something wrong, shouldn't you apologize to Aunt Sophia?"
I turned around to find Caleb standing behind Ethan, his attention focused on Sophia, though he was speaking directly to me.
It wasn't hard to see where his loyalty lay. He was still a child, but there was something about this situation that made it all the more painful.
I thought back to when Caleb and Ethan had always reacted to Sophia's slightest discomfort—always so protective, as though she were the center of their world.
I couldn't help but think back to the countless times that whenever Sophia so much as sneezed, both Ethan and Caleb would drop everything to make sure she was okay. It was as if they couldn't even imagine a world where she wasn't the center of their universe.
There was that one time at the park. We had all gone together—Caleb, Ethan, Sophia, and me.
Sophia had suddenly fainted, whether it was from the heat or some other issue, I wasn't sure. But Ethan and Caleb rushed to her side, like it was the most natural thing in the world. Ethan had even shoved her to the ground in his panic.
But no one saw that.
And later, when he saw her bandaged wrist, Ethan had asked her how she'd hurt herself. As if he hadn't been the one responsible.
I shook my head to clear the memories as Caleb's words brought me back to the present.
Sophia, with her usual apologetic tone, quickly dismissed it. "It's my fault, Caleb. I wasn't careful. It has nothing to do with your mom."
Her voice quivered just enough to sound convincing, but I knew better. The tears welling in her eyes were just another show for Ethan.
But Caleb wasn't buying it.
"I saw it, Mom. You pushed Aunt Sophia down."
He turned to look at me, his small face serious. "Mom, you've always told me that when we make a mistake, we should apologize. You're the adult... you wouldn't go back on your word, right?"
I had spent countless hours making sure Caleb was healthy, but I had rarely paid much attention to his schoolwork. He was only five years old, and yet he had mastered three languages already and had a way with words that could leave adults speechless.
I knew that his intelligence—his ability to outsmart me—was something he'd inherited from Ethan. Yet now, for the sake of Sophia, he was turning against me.
I looked at Caleb and for a brief second, I thought about how he saw this situation.
My heart sank, but I had no choice but to say it out loud.
I took a deep breath. "You're right, Caleb. I did teach you that. I taught you to always admit when we're wrong. But…" I paused, my voice steady. "I didn't do anything wrong, so why should I apologize?"
If this had been any other day, I would have backed down, given in to Caleb's earnestness. But not today. Today was different.
Caleb's brows furrowed. "But I saw you push Aunt Sophia."
I didn't try to defend myself. Instead, I gave him a slight smile. "Just because I pushed her, doesn't mean I was wrong."
"But, Mom, you said hitting people isn't right…" Caleb's voice trailed off, uncertainty creeping in.
I shrugged lightly. "I also said we shouldn't bully others, but we also shouldn't let ourselves be bullied. If someone crosses a line... don't be afraid to stand up for yourself."
Caleb stood frozen, digesting my words. I could see the confusion on his face. He wasn't expecting this response from me.
Before he could say anything, Liam's voice interrupted, smooth and measured.
"Caleb, you shouldn't talk to your mom like that."
Ethan and Caleb both turned toward Liam, almost as if they'd just noticed him standing there.
Caleb blinked. "Uncle Liam?"
Ethan, however, frowned deeply. "What are you doing here?"