Chapter 14

Stella's POV

I made my way forward,feeling the weight of hundreds of judgmental stares.

"I knew you used to play violin quite well," Anna's smile wouldn't have looked out of place on a cobra. "Why don't you perform for everyone as well?"

Seriously? That's their big play? "Oh, I'm afraid it's been too long-"

"Such a shame." Anna's voice dripped fake concern. "Though I suppose that's what happens when you take in... strays. Not like Irena Lancaster- now there was a true lady. Though even she had her... failures."

The room went deadly quiet. To insult Irena Lancaster,Adam s mother, at a public event...

Something in my chest went ice cold. They could insult me all they wanted, but Irena? The woman who'd shown me more kindness in our few meetings than the Winstons had in twenty years? I changed my mind suddenly. If you want see, then I will show you my ability. "Actually." I heard myself say, fury making my voice steady, "J would love to perform. On the piano, the one at the entrance,okay?"

Anna burst out laughing."Piano? Oh, this is impossible. First you waste our money on violin lessons, now you're pretending to be a pianist?"

"Mother,be nice," Lucy's voice carried across the now-silent room. "These orphanages do love pretending they have culture 11

Ignore them, Stella. Don't let them look down you.

"We give you everything." John Winston spat, "and this is how you repay us? By embarrassing our family?"

Lucy twisted the knife. "Maybe she learned from those musicians she used to sneak out to meet. Though I doubt music was what she was practicing on her knees."

That's it. My nails dug into my palms. You want a show? I'll give you a show.

"The only piano here is Irena's," someone pointed out with obvious disdain. "And we all know that's strictly off-limits."

They were right. That piano wasn't just any instrument - it was Irena's pride and joy, a custom-made concert grand worth millions. She'd performed on it at countless charity events before her... disappearance.

"Besides," Lucy's smile was pure poison, "that piano has history. It wouldn't be right to let someone like you touch it."

A distinguished-looking woman in Chanel nodded. "Darling,maybe try the other piano? That's more... appropriate for your level."

"Actually," Mark Anderson stepped forward, his usual playboy smile firmly in place, "as tonight's host, even if she is your wife,I'd normally have to decline-"

Just when Mark was about to signal a waiter to refuse me, he heard Adam said.

"Let she use Mother's piano."

Even Mark looked stunned.

"But Adam," Lucy protested, "you can't seriously-"

One look from those green eyes shut him up mid-sentence.

Then the waiter told us that I could use that piano. How lucky I am,I thought.

Lucy choked on her champagne. Everyone knew Irena's piano was off-limits. Like, "touch it and die" off-limits.

As I passed Adam, his hand caught my wrist. The touch sent electricity through my body. "Don't disappoint me," he murmured, voice low enough to make me hear. Right, it was his mother's piano, I would not let him down.

"Never," I whispered back. Something dark flashed in his eyes before he let me go.

Focus,Stella. Show them what you can do.

The opening notes filled the hall. Every key stroke carried years of late nights practicing in empty music rooms,of proving myself over and over. Take that, my dear family.

When the final note faded, the silence was deafening. Then...

"Holy shit," someone whispered1. "That was..."

"Extraordinary!" An old lady was actually crying. "Such passion!"

"Even professionals struggle with that piece," one famous musician sounded like admitting it physically hurt him.

I caught Adam's reaction through my peripheral vision. His face was stone, but those eyes... they burned. His grip on his wheelchair's armrest was white-knuckled. "Simply magnificent!" Some guy I didn't know practically bounced up to Adam. "Your wife is incredible! She must play at our next gala!" I rose, straightening my dress. Time to twist the knife. "A tribute to Irena Lancaster- the only true Mrs. Lancaster of her generation. She is my idol and my teacher. And she is not someone you can slander casually!" I let my gaze sweep meaningfully over certain faces.

Lucy and Anna looked like she'd been slapped. Worth it.

Walking past Adam again, his hand shot out, pulling me close enough to smell his cologne."Impressive," he breathed against my ear.

Stop it, heart. Stop racing like that.

I turned to find Adam watching me with that unreadable expression.

His eyes tracked over my gown. "Most women here went for...flashier options."

"Some of us don't need to scream for attention." I met his gaze."Depends what kind of attention you're after, doesn't it?"

Something dark flashed in his eyes. His hand found my waist,sending sparks through my body even through the fabric. "And what kind of attention are you after, Mrs. Lancaster?" I gave him my sweetest smile.''Wouldn't you like to know?" His mouth twitched."Maybe I would." Lucy's fake laugh rang out behind us. John was still going on about "family legacy" and "true talent."

Adam's grip tightened slightly. "Your... family seems invested in their story."

"Oh?" I kept my voice light. "Which story is that?"

"The prodigal daughter returns." His thumb traced circles on my hip. Probably didn't even realize he was doing it. "Though the timing's interesting."

I turned to face him fully. Watched his pupils dilate.′′MrLancaster," I kept my voice low, just for him, "are you actually interested in my family drama? Or is this just another way to investigate your mysterious wife?"

The smile he gave me was pure predator. "Why not both?"

He leaned in close, lips brushing my ear. "Though I have to say,Mrs. Lancaster, you get more... intriguing every day."

I couldn't stop the shiver that ran through me.

Behind us, Lucy was having some kind of meltdown,but I couldn't care less. Let her throw her tantrum. I'd made my show.