Echoed 14

Chapter 14 The Song She Forgot 

Hunter jumped to his feet, grabbing Adrian by the collar. “Are you serious?” 

“It’s true, boss. I swear.” 

For the first time in two weeks, a smile tugged at Hunter’s lips. “Where is she? Who took her?” 

“It was Jamie Brewer,” Adrian answered quickly. “Ms. Archer is recovering on his private island overseas.” 

+5 Free Coins 

At that, Hunter frowned, then murmured under his breath, “Jamie, I should’ve known. I should’ve known. No one could’ve helped Dana disappear for this long.” 

The three of them had known each other for years. And Hunter had always been aware that Jamie had a crush on Dana. 

Even so, back then, Dana’s heart had belonged to him. The three of them had managed to keep a somewhat stable friendship. But that all changed a few years ago. 

Hunter still remembered it clearly: the fallout started when he got involved with Celine. Jamie didn’t say a word he simply punched him. After that, they never spoke again. 

Jamie had tried to take Dana away back then. But Dana refused. She said her heart belonged only to Hunter. Jamie left, heartbroken. Neither he nor Dana ever reached out to him. 

Now, Dana had chosen to call Jamie. A knot twisted in Hunter’s gut. An unsettling feeling told him she might be leaving him for good this time. 

“Book the next flight out of the country,” Hunter ordered. “And get someone to prepare a yacht there. Dana’s been away from me for quite some time; she must miss me. I need to bring her home.” 

He was ready to leave the villa with Adrian but suddenly stopped in his tracks. 

Adrian looked at him, puzzled. “She hates when I drink,” Hunter said. “If she smells it on me, she’ll be mad.” 

Hunter rushed back to his room. When he came out again, he had changed into clean clothes. His face was freshly shaved. 

The only signs of recent hardship were the redness in his eyes and his slightly swollen hands. 

Adrian had already booked the flight. They quickly left the house. 

Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, Dana sat at the grand piano, her fingers moving steadily across the keys. 

Her injuries had long healed, and with a few visits to the hospital, the scars were nearly invisible. 

The sound of waves crashing outside the floor–to–ceiling windows blended with the soft melody of the piano. Sunlight spilled over her shoulders, bathing her in a golden glow. 

Jamie stood nearby, entranced. 

When the piece ended, he clapped enthusiastically. “Dee, that was beautiful.” 

1/3 

2:58 pm G PPP. 

Chapter 14 The Song She Forgot 

+5 Free Coins 

Dana gave him a modest smile. “I’m still nowhere near where I used to be. Talent matters, sure, but so does muscle memory. And mine is three years out of practice.” 

As the words left her mouth, her smile faltered. A shadow passed through her expression, and her resentment toward Hunter deepened. 

Jamie came over and gently ruffled her hair. “Don’t be so hard on yourself. That was amazing. You’ll get it all back, I promise. 

“That piece you wrote the other day–I thought it was incredible. I actually recorded it secretly and uploaded it online. You have no idea–it’s already hit over a million likes. Everyone’s asking when they’ll get to hear the full version.” 

Dana stared at him, stunned. She hadn’t expected the little tune she wrote on a whim to make its way online and become so popular. 

She felt overwhelmed, a little dazed, but undeniably happy. To be seen. To be heard. To be liked. 

But then she thought–how could she have written something so many people liked when she hadn’t touched a piano in three years? 

“But…” she said softly, “I don’t think I’m ready. That melody–I just wrote what I felt. You must’ve posted the best part. If they heard the whole thing, they might change their minds.” 

Seeing the doubt in her eyes, Jamie’s heart ached. 

He remembered the Dana from years ago–bold, radiant, and confident. A prodigy. 

He had no idea what Dana had gone through in the past two years to become the person she was now. 

Over the past couple of weeks, Jamie had tried more than once to ask her what had really happened. But every time she got close to talking about it, her face would cloud with pain. 

He couldn’t bear to see her in pain. So he stopped pressing for answers. 

Still, from a few offhand comments she’d let slip, he pieced together the outline of it. 

He knew now–Hunter had crushed her. He’d kept her under his thumb, belittled her, and controlled her. She’d suffered in silence. 

Jamie gently lifted her chin with his hand, smiling at her. “Don’t forget,” he said, “you were once one of the brightest young stars in the piano world. When you quit, so many people were heartbroken. 

“You know Professor Carline? That famous pianist? He’s an old friend of mine. Even he asked why you disappeared from the stage. 

“There were so many people who loved your music and your compositions. And there still are. Don’t lose faith in yourself.” 

Jamie looked at her with so much hope in his eyes that Dana couldn’t help but smile. His words warmed something inside her that had been frozen for far too long. “Alright,” she said with a quiet laugh. “I’ll give it a try.” 

She pulled out her sheet music and placed it on the stand. Her fingers hovered over the keys, then began to move, smooth and confident. 

The melody rose and fell. At times light and breezy, at others intense and soul–stirring. 

When the last note faded, Jamie clapped again, unable to hold back his excitement. “That was incredible! Really, it was beautiful! Give it a little more practice, and I’ll bring in a professional recording team. Let’s release this, deal?” 

2/3 

2:58 pm G ppp. 

Chapter 14 The Song She Forgot 

+5 Free Coins 

“Deal.” 

Seeing Jamie’s eyes light up, Dana found herself grinning too. 

These past few weeks–she wouldn’t have made it through them without him. His encouragement, his presence, his laughter. He’d helped her find the light again. 

Looking at him now, she couldn’t understand how she had once believed she couldn’t live without Hunter. How could she have looked right past someone like Jamie? 

Their eyes met and held, and in that moment, each of them saw only the other. 

Dana wished time would just stop right here. 

But the moment shattered with the shrill ring of Jamie’s phone. He sighed and answered. 

On the other end, the voice of a bodyguard crackled through the speaker. “Mr. Brewer, someone’s arrived on the island. Says he’s an old friend. Name’s Hunter Gedge.” 

3/3 

2:58 pm G P 

Chapter 15 Shoot Him! 

Chapter 15 Shoot Him!