Chapter 19 A Song for One
A month later, Dana’s original piano composition was officially released.
The moment it went live, rave reviews poured in.
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Overnight, Dana, once again hailed as a piano prodigy, was splashed across news outlets and music blogs. Everyone was talking
about her.
Soon, invitations flooded in from music festivals and concert halls across the country, each one hoping Dana would perform her new piece on their stage.
Two years passed, and Dana finally launched her own concert tour.
Her manager scheduled the final stop in Verton.
But Dana made a quiet change–she rerouted the venue to Rivermore, a city nestled just a few miles outside Verton.
The night of the Rivermore concert arrived. Dana stepped onto the stage, only to find the seats in front of her completely empty.
Her brows furrowed in confusion. From the corner of her eye, behind a thick velvet curtain near the front, she could make out the faint silhouette of a lone figure.
Despite the odd situation, she played her piece. Note by note, the melody filled the empty hall.
When she was done, Dana stepped off stage and asked her manager what was going on. “I think someone bought out the whole performance,” he said.
“But if someone bought it out, shouldn’t there be people?” she asked. “There’s no one out there.”
Whoever had bought out the entire concert hall hadn’t shown their face. It was obvious–they didn’t want to be seen.
There was only one person who’d go through all this trouble and still hide his identity. That only leaves one possibility–Hunter.
She turned to him and said calmly, “Let’s go. I’m done.”
The manager blinked, stunned. “Wait–what do you mean, you’re not playing?”
“Yeah.”
“But–Dana! Whoever rented the entire hall must be someone powerful. If this gets out, your reputation—”
“It won’t get out,” Dana said lightly.
“But still-”
“It’s fine. If anything happens, I’ll take responsibility.” She gave him a tired smile. “The tour’s over anyway. I’m taking some time off; I need to start planning the wedding with Jamie.”
She made it clear she wouldn’t change her mind. The manager had no choice but to gather their things and leave.
Behind the curtain, Hunter waited in silence, hoping she would come back out and play just one more piece. Just one.
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Chapter 19 A Song for One
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But she never did. She had figured it out–of course she had. Dana was always sharp. She knew it was him, and still, she walked
away
All these years later, she still couldn’t bring herself to look at him. Still hated him enough to turn her back without hesitation.
Tears slipped down Hunter’s face as he stared at the lonely piano on stage.
That was when Adrian approached and whispered, “Boss, Celine’s completely lost it.”
Hunter let out a long breath, wiping the tears from his face. His expression turned hard. “She’s strong–willed,” he said coldly. “Took her long enough to lose her mind. In that case, dump her on the island. Let the wolves deal with her.”
“Jamie!”
The plan had been for Dana to come back tomorrow. But here she was, suddenly running up from the shoreline toward Jamie.
Startled and overjoyed, Jamie rushed forward and caught her in his arms. He spun her around with a grin. “Weren’t you supposed to finish your tour tomorrow? What are you doing back already?”
Dana beamed. “I missed you. Isn’t that reason enough? What, you’re not happy to see me?”
“Of course I am!” Jamie laughed.
He looked her up and down with gentle concern. “You’ve lost weight. You haven’t been eating properly without me, have you?”
Dana playfully pouted. “Nobody cooks like you do.”
Jamie grinned and lightly tapped her nose. “Well then, what do you feel like eating? I’ll make it for you right now.”
“As long as it’s made by you, I’ll eat anything.”
Without another word, Jamie headed to the kitchen and began preparing dinner.
His cooking, as always, suited Dana’s taste perfectly. She ate heartily, finishing an entire bowl of rice.
After dinner, they strolled hand–in–hand along the beach, the sky painted in twilight.
Jamie talked about the plans for their wedding next month, going over the details. “Is there anything I missed?” he asked.
Dana shook her head, “Nope! Everything’s perfect. All that’s left is for us to say our vows.”
Jamie stopped walking. He placed his hands gently on her shoulders, his eyes slightly misty. “Dee, knowing that soon you’ll be my wife. I feel like I’m dreaming. It’s a mix of joy and fear.”
Dana smiled and laced her fingers with his. “Don’t be scared. I’m right here.”
Jamie’s gaze held hers, and he tightened his grip just a little more.
Suddenly, Dana tilted her head, a curious look in her eyes. “Hey, why did you start calling me Dee?”
The question caught Jamie off guard. He fell quiet for a moment, memories pulling him back to that summer in high school.
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Chapter 19 A Song for One
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They’d gone on vacation with Hunter to the coast.
Little Dana had refused to get in the water and was sunbathing on the shore.
Young Jamie had spotted her sitting alone and ran out of the ocean to join her.
“Dana!” he’d called.
She frowned. “Can you not call me by my full name?”
“Then what should I call you?”
“Whatever you want.”
He thought about it. “How about Big Dana?”
She huffed. “Big Dana? What are you trying to say, that I’m old?”
Jamie scratched his head. “Didn’t you say to call you
“Well, not that. That’s awful.”
“Okay, how about Dan?”
whatever?”
She puffed out her cheeks in frustration. “Dan? That’s just as bad! Both sound awful!”
“But…”
Little Dana rolled her eyes and said, “Ugh, can you take this seriously and come up with a decent one?”
Jamie paused, then snapped his fingers. “How about this–I give you a nickname that only the two of us use. Something just for us. Let’s go with Dee.”
“Okay, but why did you choose the name Dee?”
Back in the present, Dana’s question pulled Jamie out of the memory.
He lowered his head, chuckled softly, then cupped Dana’s face, locking eyes with her. “Because I wanted something special. between us, something that lasts forever.”
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