Chapter 16 Respect Their Choice
Ethan slung an arm around Sophia, steadying her so she wouldn’t stumble.
At the same time, his gaze followed the direction she was pointing.
Even in the dim light, he spotted them right away.
Emily and Aaron. The guy he’d met earlier that day.
They were sitting in the VIP section, the exact seats he usually reserved when he brought Sophia to Nancy’s
concerts.
So he’s the one who bought those tickets.
Thunderous applause filled the hall as Aaron leaned in, whispering something in Emily’s ear. A soft smile curved her lips, gentle, genuine.
The distance wasn’t far. Ethan saw every detail.
When Emily was with him, she rarely smiled like that. 1/9
Most of the time, she just tried to please him, never
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someone with such warmth.
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He got the sense that her relationship with Aaron wasn’t just friendship, but he didn’t dwell on it.
Ethan looked away, glancing down at Sophia. She was staring up at him, waiting for an answer.
He smiled faintly. “Yeah, that’s Mommy.”
Sophia’s face twisted with anxiety. “But Mommy’s married to Daddy, right? Why’s she sitting so close to another guy? Look how they’re talking… It’s like they’re gonna kiss!”
Ethan fell silent, stealing another glance at Emily.
She and Aaron were chatting animatedly, heads close together, like they had all the time in the world.
He didn’t know how to answer Sophia’s question. He just ruffled her bangs.
“Let’s focus on the concert. Nancy’s only got one more
piece left.”
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distracted.
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He leaned in. “You okay? Something on your mind?”
Emily forced a smile and shook her head. “Nothing. Just tired. I guess.”
Aaron didn’t buy it. He brushed his fingers lightly against her wrist, checking her pulse–steady, but her eyes told a different story.
Worried he’d push her, Emily whispered, “Really, it’s nothing. Don’t worry about me.”
Aaron’s gaze was stubborn, like he’d wait all night until she talked.
Emily sighed, giving in. “Night Whispers… that’s Nancy Thompson. This piano prodigy everyone’s cheering for? It’s the same Nancy we met at lunch.”
Nancy’s stage name was Night Whispers. Emily had learned from scrolling through her social media, back when she’d still cared.
Aafon raised an eyebrow, surprised.
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Emily had recognized her instantly.
Suchy Grow
He glanced back at the stage, admiration in his eyes.
He had no clue Nancy was the homewrecker who destroyed Emily’s marriage. He just saw her as someone exceptional.
Aaron glanced down at Emily again, his voice full of admiration. “Nancy’s studying medicine and got into grad school. I heard she’s majoring in surgery too. I never imagined that besides medicine, she’d be this talented at piano.
“She’s pretty famous. A lot of my friends went to her concerts and couldn’t stop praising her playing. Hearing her tonight, she really lives up to the hype.”
Nancy always wore a veil to her shows, keeping an air of mystery.
People came for her music, her beauty, her grace. Whatever drew them, she never disappointed.
She was, without a doubt, an extraordinary woman. 4/9
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She smiled, her voice calm. “She’s amazing. No doubt
about it.”
How could any woman Ethan fell for be anything less?
Aaron paused, then said softly, “You’re more amazing. In your own way.”
Emily knew he thought she was jealous, but she wasn’t. She was just stating a fact.
She didn’t explain, just smiled. “Thanks. But I know where I stand.”
Aaron’s heart twinged.
He noticed the self–doubt in her eyes, a far cry from the bright, confident girl he’d known in college.
She’d been top of their class, a shoo–in for grad school, destined for great things. But she’d chosen marriage instead.
Aaron looked back at the stage.
Nancy was glowing in her white gown, soaking up the 6:17
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We’re just people. Trying our best.”
Emily didn’t say much, just gave him a faint smile.
Regrets? Sure.
If she’d stuck with medicine, she might have had her own moment in the spotlight by now.
But there was no going back.
The concert ended soon after.
Nancy bowed deeply, and the hall erupted in applause so loud it felt like the walls might shake.
Even Emily found herself clapping.
Hatred? Maybe a little. But then again, wasn’t Ethan the real problem?
Either way, she’d made her peace. Letting go was the right choice.
Everything happened for a reason.
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She froze when she saw Emily and Aaron, but then her eyes landed on Ethan and Sophia in the second row
A smile tugged at her lips as she mouthed, “Backstage later.”
Most of the audience had filtered out when Emily and Aaron finally stood to leave.
That’s when Sophia took off, running toward the stage with her arms outstretched. “Nancy!”
Her face was full of admiration and pride.
That spotlight was something she could brag about at school.
As for her own mom? She couldn’t think of anything worth mentioning.
Sophia darted behind the curtain and threw herself into Nancy’s arms.
“Nancy, you’re so pretty! When I grow up, I wanna be just like you!”
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Emily froze at the sound of their voices. Her legs felt like lead.
Aaron noticed her stiffen. When he stepped in front of her, he saw tears pooling in her eyes.
He knelt down, concerned. “Hey, what’s wrong?”
Emily couldn’t hold it in anymore. Through blurry eyes, she nodded toward the stage. “That’s my daughter.”
Aaron’s eyes widened.
He looked toward the curtain, where Nancy was still in her gown, kneeling in front of Sophia.
They were chatting softly, a warm, intimate scene—like they were mother and daughter.
“Then the guy from lunch… he’s your husband?”
Emily bit her lip, nodding. “Yeah.”
Aaron was stunned, but he kept his voice gentle. “I’m so
sorry. I had no idea.”
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And at such a close distance, they hadn’t even acknowledged her. Not even her own daughter had called out to her.
Aaron knew Emily well. She was kind, loyal, the type to fight for what she loved. If she was divorcing Ethan, it meant her heart was truly broken.
Emily took a deep, shaky breath, wiping her tears.
Then she managed a small smile. “It’s okay. I respect their choice.”
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