Ryan raised the chair in his hands, and with a swift motion, brought it down on me, his eyes cold as they met mine. I was paralyzed by the fear in my eyes, unable to move.
“Ah!” The pain shot through me like a jolt of electricity, and I couldn’t contain the blood-curdling scream that escaped my lips.
My fingers were crushed instantly, mangled and bleeding, as I stared at them in disbelief. The physical pain, sharp and intense, barely compared to the crushing weight in my chest.
It was over. Everything was ruined.
My hands, my mother’s dreams—everything was shattered in that single moment.
Tears streamed down my face in heavy, relentless drops.
Ryan rushed toward me, pulling me into an embrace. I leaned silently into his broad, warm chest, but the words that came from above were as cold as ice. “I’m sorry, Susan. Please, forgive me just this once. I know this isn’t fair to you. But Miranda’s mother died saving me. Once she makes it into the orchestra, I’ll have repaid my debt.”
“Repay?” I repeated, a bitter laugh escaping me. “Ryan, so your way of repaying Miranda is by hurting me?”
With every ounce of strength I had left, I pushed him away and raised my bloodied hands, hatred flashing in my eyes. “Do you know how long I’ve worked for this chance, how hard I’ve fought for it?”
Maybe it was the look of fury in my eyes that made him hesitate, but for a moment, Ryan seemed almost guilty.
However, it was fleeting. His face hardened again, and his voice was cold, detached. “Enough. What’s the point of all this? This has been Miranda’s dream, and her mother’s dying wish.”
At that moment, I realized with crystal clarity that I was done with this heartless man.
I scoffed, the words bitter in my mouth. “And what gives you the right to destroy me for her dream?”
Ryan didn’t even flinch. “It’s fine, Susan. I know you’re upset. Don’t worry. I’ll make it up to you. Once Miranda joins the orchestra, I’ll take you under the Menzies’ wing, and you’ll never have to worry about anything again.”
Hearing this made my stomach churn with disgust.
