Chapter 4

For the next while, I ignored Brandon's bragging and threats.

When I wasn't at the studio, I visited Grandma Evelyn at the old estate or stayed home.

Grandma Evelyn said she'd taught Aurora piano herself—back in the day, she'd been a famous pianist too.

When Mom was alive, I'd been pretty good at cello.

Piano? I only knew the basics.

I asked Grandma Evelyn to teach me, partly because I was curious—wanted to understand something Aurora loved.

And partly to keep Grandma company. Old folks tend to get nostalgic, right?

Last life, I'd married Brianna. Her family had all these old-fashioned ideas, but they never taught me anything useful.

Just manipulation, petty schemes, and backwards stuff like "men should wait on women hand and foot."

Grandma Evelyn was thrilled I asked. She held my hand and talked for ages.

"It's so nice to see such thoughtfulness in a young man!"

Grandma Evelyn taught me carefully. After a few weeks, I could play some of Aurora's songs.

"That was lovely. Aurora would be so happy to hear you play."

Grandma Evelyn smiled warmly and handed me a sheet music book with Aurora's name on it.

"Caleb, how are things going with you and Aurora lately?"

Aurora wasn't even in the country. How were things supposed to "go"?

"Grandma, we're good. Getting along great."

I gave a neutral, polite answer, but Grandma Evelyn still looked hopeful.

"Oh really?"

She sighed deeply, disappointment written all over her face.

Was Grandma Evelyn hoping for great-grandkids?

That seemed impossible.

"Also, I..."

"I really like Aurora."

Grandma Evelyn's face lit up with a big smile.

"Of course! Aurora told me to take good care of you—make sure you're happy being part of our family."

"I knew it! My granddaughter has a soft spot for her sweet son-in-law!"

Really?

She was amazing. Grandma too.

"Thank you, Grandma. I'm happier here than I ever was at home."

Lying in bed later, I checked the studio group chat.

Aurora had texted me too.

"Everything's sorted. Don't worry, I'm okay!"

She forwarded a news article with the headline: "Famous Pianist Attacked."

These tabloids love stirring up drama—making up crazy stories just for clicks.

They twist details to get people to read their garbage.

"Got it."

"Come home soon."

I hit send, then immediately cringed. Too forward? But there was no taking it back.

I just closed the chat, figuring, *I already embarrassed myself with that emoji—what's one more dumb message?*

"Okay, I'll be home."

I stared at those words, re-reading them for ages.

The attack on Aurora made headlines. Even the cops she called got swarmed by paparazzi.

Brandon saw the news and came by pretending to offer condolences.

I didn't want to deal with him, so I hid at the studio.

He showed up a few times but kept getting turned away. He called, but I ignored it—used work as an excuse.

But he was as persistent as ever, sending me this long message.

Mostly snarky comments and backhanded insults, with some random praise for Brianna thrown in.

I didn't care. Dude was just a sad clown.

Maya found out, flipped him off, and went, "Unbelievable!"

"He's such a creep!"

"Your brother's just here to stir up drama, right? Always with the shady comments!"

She looked at my chat with Brandon, fuming.

I just smiled and brushed it off.

Brandon would learn soon enough how much it sucked to be wrong.

Couldn't wait.