Chapter 11

<p>Halfway through the gathering, there was a live demo segment. The organizers invited the pianists present to take turns playing the pianos on display. When it was my turn, they asked me to play the Aether.</p><p>I sat down at the piano and tuned the strings.</p><p>The sound of this piano was nothing like my own. It was deep and reserved, like an old man who had seen it all, murmuring quietly.</p><p>Instead of the intense style of Siege, I played a gentle, peaceful tune.</p><p>After I finished, the room was silent for a few seconds.</p><p>Henry was the first to speak. "Only a great player can bring out the best in a great piano. This Aether has never sounded better than in your hands."</p><p>The other old-timers nodded their approval.</p><p>Ethan stood at the back of the crowd, watching me in silence.</p><p>His expression was different from when he first heard me play at the birthday party. The first time, it was the shock of being captivated. This time, it was the quiet certainty of having something confirmed.</p><p>After the gathering, we walked out of the garden together.</p><p>It was getting dark, and the gravel path crunched under our feet.</p><p>Ethan said, "I have an idea."</p><p>"What is it?" I asked.</p><p>"I want you to teach me piano," he added.</p><p>I stopped in my tracks. "Learn piano?"</p><p>"Yes," Ethan replied, locking eyes with me. "I'm serious."</p><p>"Mr. Blackwood, do you realize how long it takes to learn piano? It takes at least a year to get the basics down, and at least three years before you can play a full piece," I said.</p><p>"Then I'll take three years," he said.</p><p>Three years. Three years again.</p><p>"Are you sure?" I asked.</p><p>"I'm sure," he replied.</p><p>I started walking again. "I'll think about it."</p><p>Ethan caught up to me. "Last time you said you'd think about it. So, what about now?"</p><p>"I'll think about it this time, too," I replied.</p><p>He didn't press me any further.</p><p>When we reached the gate, my car was already waiting.</p><p>I opened the door and glanced back at him. "Mr. Blackwood."</p><p>"Yeah?" he replied.</p><p>"Have you ever thought that the person you're chasing might not be who you think they are?" I asked.</p><p>Ethan looked at me. "I see you for who you really are."</p><p>"What if one day you realize that the person you see is completely different from who I actually am?" I pressed.</p><p>He paused for a couple of seconds. "Then I'll start over and get to know the real you."</p><p>I got in the car and closed the door.</p><p>Once the car started moving, I leaned back in the seat and closed my eyes.</p><p>That idea kept looping in my head. I thought, 'Start over and get to know the real me. He made it sound so simple.</p><p>'He had no clue that the person he wanted to start over with was someone he'd already married and then let go with his own hands.'</p><p>*****</p><p>Four days after the piano gathering, something big happened in Kingsford.</p><p>A handwritten sheet music manuscript by Reed sold for 3 million dollars at a private auction.</p><p>The buyer was anonymous, but it didn't take long for word to get around in the music world. It was Ethan.</p><p>Three million dollars. And it wasn't even for a piano; it was a sheet music manuscript, handwritten.</p><p>I wrote that piece when I was twenty and gave it to Silas. After he passed away, it somehow ended up at auction.</p><p>I'd hoped to buy it back myself, but I was too late. Ethan got there first.</p><p>When the news broke, the piano world went wild.</p><p>Henry called me, his voice full of complicated feelings. "Reed, that young man from the Blackwood family dropped three million dollars on your manuscript. Did you know about this?"</p><p>"I learned this recently," I replied.</p><p>"What's he up to? Is he chasing after you?" Henry asked.</p><p>"Probably," I answered.</p><p>Henry was quiet for a moment, then said, "If Silas were still here, he'd probably say, 'That boy is teachable.'"</p><p>Not long after I hung up, a message from Ethan came through. It was forwarded by Emily. He didn't have my contact info, so he always had to go through the Stone family to reach me.</p><p>The message was a photo. The manuscript was displayed in a glass case with controlled temperature and humidity, bathed in soft light. Underneath, there was a note: [Back to its rightful owner. Come get it anytime.]</p><p>Emily added her own comment: [Three million dollars for a manuscript, and then he says 'back to its rightful owner.' Evelyn, this guy is either completely nuts or he's really in love with you.</p><p>[But here's the thing. Does he love the real you, or the version of you he thinks he knows?]</p>