Chapter 8 · The Wife He Never Met, The Artist He Can't Forget

Chapter 8

The performance was scheduled right in the middle of the dinner party.I played a gentle birthday tribute, a world apart from the fierce Siege I performed at the last celebration. The melody flowed softly, like a spring stream, right for someone of old age.When I finished, the Blackwood elders all cheered and praised my performance.Alex sat at the head of the table. He was eighty-three, his health frail, but his spirit was still sharp. After the last note faded, he beckoned me over."Beautiful playing," he said, taking my hand. "Back when Mr. Carter was alive, he played for me once. Your style is different, but the soul of it; you share the same roots."I gave a slight bow. "You flatter me, Mr. Blackwood."He studied me for a long moment, then suddenly asked, "Girl, what's your name?""Evelyn Hart," I replied.His grip tightened a bit. He looked at me, his eyes full of something I couldn't quite read, like he was searching for something in me.Ethan noticed Alex's reaction. "Grandpa?"Alex let go of my hand, leaned back in his chair, and slowly shook his head. "It's nothing. You have a good name."He stared at me for a moment, then looked away.I wasn't sure if he recognized me or not.Alex was the one who arranged that marriage. He'd seen my photo and my file, but he'd never met me in person.When the marriage contract was signed three years ago, he was in the hospital, and the papers were handled by his lawyer.Maybe he thought the name Evelyn Hart sounded familiar. Or maybe not.I slipped back into the crowd and found a quiet corner to sit in.Sophia came over with a plate of desserts. She sat down across from me and pushed the plate toward me. "Ms. Hart, try some. The desserts here are amazing; the chefs really know their stuff."I picked up a piece of cheesecake.Sophia rested her chin in her hand, watching me. "Ms. Hart, can I ask you something?""Go ahead," I said."What's your opinion about Ethan?" she asked.That was even more direct than the question Ethan had asked me.I took a bite of the cake, chewing slowly. "Opinion? I've only met Mr. Blackwood twice."Sophia smiled. "Two meetings are enough." Her voice was soft as cotton. "Ethan might look cold on the outside, but once he decides on something, he's stubborn as hell."The way he's looked at you these two times, I've never seen that in him before." Her smile was flawless, but there was no warmth in her eyes."So I wanted to give you a heads-up," Sophia said, still gentle. "Ethan recently got divorced. His last marriage was arranged by his family, a girl from nowhere, someone he never met, never admitted existed."She paused. "That whole marriage was a weight on his shoulders. Now that he's finally out, he needs some space."I set down the cheesecake and looked at her. "Ms. Lane, are you warning me off Mr. Blackwood?"Sophia's smile didn't change. "I'm stating the facts. Of course, it's your life; you can make your own choices.""Yeah," I nodded. "Thanks for your concern."I stood up and walked away.Before I'd taken two steps, Sophia called out from behind me, "Ms. Hart, your playing is excellent. I hope you stay dedicated to your music."I didn't look back.As I turned the corner, I ran right into Ethan.He glanced at the direction I'd come from, then looked at me closely. "What did Sophia say to you?""Nothing much," I replied. "She said I played well."Ethan's face darkened a little. He didn't press further, but he stood there, blocking the hallway, clearly not about to let me walk away. "Ms. Hart, there's a piano appreciation gathering next week.""I know," I replied."Want to go together?" he asked."Mr. Blackwood," I looked up at him. "Do you realize you're chasing after someone you've only met twice?"He didn't hesitate. "I know.""Don't you think that's a bit fast?" I asked."I first heard the recording of Siege three years ago, and now I'm finally meeting the person who played it," he said. "Three years. That's not fast at all."I was silent for a few seconds.Three years ago. That was the year I became his wife.He'd heard Reed's recording overseas and couldn't get it out of his head. And Reed was the woman he'd sent away with nothing but a divorce agreement.

Chapter 8