Stars Waited Above Empty Streets by Lorin Wren 171

Chapter 171 A Quiet Moment With Music 

*Finished 

A tune he had never heard before flowed out from the lute in her hands. Ryan’s eyes lit up right away. He got pulled in at once. He didn’t make a sound to disturb her. He just sat beside her and listened in silence. 

When Ethan pushed the door open, this was the scene he saw. His younger brother sat next to Ava. His eyes stayed fixed on her. The look on his face made his feelings obvious. 

Ava didn’t look at him. She stayed focused on the strings in her hands. She was lost in her own world. 

The quiet and warm scene was hard to forget at first glance. Ethan didn’t make a sound either. He only stood there and watched her. 

She was fully immersed in the music. Through the sound, he could feel the happiness in her heart. 

Ethan had never seen Ava like that before. He thought she had already given them enough surprises. He didn’t expect her to be even better than he imagined. 

A quiet sense of pride rose in his chest. His eyes stayed on her. Only at a time like this did he allow his feelings to show. He didn’t think about anything else. He didn’t care about reason. He didn’t hold himself back. Right now, he was just a normal man. He was looking at the girl he liked, and he wanted to be close to her. 

When the song ended, Ava finally came back from her own world. She hugged the lute tightly against her chest. 

“This lute is even better than I expected. It’s a piece worth passing down” 

Ryan looked at her with open admiration. 

“Ava, you really surprised me! How can you be this good! Oh my god, you’re really amazing. I even feel like I’m not good enough for you!” 

Ethan walked over and cut in. 

“The lute sounds great.” 

Only then did Ava notice Ethan was there. She looked surprised. 

“When did you come? Mr. Brock said you had work to deal with. Are you done?” 

“I’m done. I just got here a few minutes ago.” 

He sat down on the tall chair beside them. 

“I didn’t expect you could play the lute. You played it so well.” 

“Someone taught me before. I’ll never see my teacher again in this life, but I’m very grateful to her. She was an amazing lute player. I only learned a little from her.” 

“That’s not just a little. You’re too modest.” 

Ryan raised his thumb. 

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Chapter 171 A Quiet Moment With Music 

“To me, you’re this good. Are you going to surprise me again one day?” 

Ava raised her brows. 

“I don’t know. I don’t know much, but I don’t know little either. You can find out slowly.” 

Ryan laughed. He looked full of energy. 

Finished 

“Then I’m even more excited. I’ll work harder too. I want to be good enough for you. Otherwise, I won’t feel steady about it.” 

Ethan smiled a little. 

“Ava, I just got some news. Jolene’s case entered the trial process early. The verdict is out. Besides using primal power on you, she also used it to kill a woman. After the intermediate court trial, Jolene was sentenced to twenty years in prison. She also isn’t allowed any sentence reduction.” 

That name almost felt unfamiliar to Ava now. 

She had thought that even if Jolene was judged, the sentence wouldn’t be very heavy. She didn’t expect there to be another life involved besides hers. Even then, Jolene only got twenty years. 

Ethan saw the change on Ava’s face. 

“This is already the heaviest sentence under the law. The authorities wanted to make an example. Otherwise, this case wouldn’t have gotten such a long sentence.” 

Ava let out a long breath. 

“I understand. I just think that if the one she hurt wasn’t me, and was just another normal person, then in the end she would probably just pay some money and get forgiveness” 

“Ava.” 

“I’m fine. I just felt something for a moment. That’s how the world is. It’s too hard for normal people to get justice.” 

After she said that, she didn’t want to keep talking about it. She turned and handed the lute to Ryan. 

“Put this lute away.” 

Ryan’s eyes lit up again. 

“Ava, how about we give this lute to you?” 

Ava smiled and refused. 

“I just wanted to play it for a moment. I don’t mean I want to own it.” 

“You should take it.” 

Ethan spoke as well. 

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Chapter 171 A Quiet Moment With Music 

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“If it stays at our house, it’ll just keep collecting dust. If we give it to you, it can finally be used again. A good lute needs an owner who deserves it. It isn’t easy to find someone for it.” 

Ryan didn’t give her a chance to refuse. He took the lute to the display cabinet, pulled out its matching case, and carefully placed the lute inside. 

Ava frowned. 

Ethan said, “Ava, even if you don’t take it now, it’ll still be yours later. We’re just giving it to you earlier so you can become its owner.” 

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