Marriage Named Hatred Chapter 03
The estate fell silent once again.
To put Miriam at ease, Annelise tended to her wound and waited until the old woman had fallen asleep before returning to her room.
She sat on the edge of the bed. The photo frame on the nightstand reflected her gaunt face, making her look like a completely different person from the girl in the picture.
It was the only photo she had from high school with Bastian, even though it captured nothing more than his distant back.
She had secretly made an extra print of that photo and kept it for all these years.
The person who had taken it was her sister.
Now that she thought about it, it all seemed absurd.
Annelise reached out and turned the frame facedown on the nightstand.
There was a rehearsal for the orchestra the next day. She lay down on the bed and forced herself not to think about the past anymore.
Early the next morning, Annelise arrived at the rehearsal hall half an hour ahead of schedule.
After greeting a few of the musicians, she saw Bastian sitting in the audience seats.
At a single glance, she withdrew her gaze and skillfully tightened the bow hair.
For five years, she had invited Bastian countless times to attend her performances.
Orchestra showcases, concerts, even her first solo recital, his answer had always been the same. “I’m busy.”
Yet after each performance, she would hear from her mother-in-law’s scolding about which club he had gone to instead.
As Annelise applied rosin to her bow, the music director, John Hildebrand, walked over. “This rehearsal is important. There are investors here, so you can’t afford to mess up.
“And one more thing.” John lowered his voice and leaned in closer. “We’ve brought in a substitute from outside today. Don’t overthink it. It’s just a formality. This is a high-profile performance, so the orchestra needs a backup plan.”
A substitute?
Annelise’s fingers paused. She followed the direction John pointed.
Talia’s face came into view, her lips curling into a smug smile as she raised an eyebrow at Annelise.
“Ms. Vasquez, long time no see.” Talia extended her hand toward her. “I look forward to working with you.”
Annelise clenched her fists tightly, her nails pressing into her palms.
After the car accident, she had immediately called the police and insisted on pursuing the matter to the end.
For Talia to appear here now, there was only one possibility. Bastian had bailed her out.
She should have guessed it earlier. The reason Bastian had come today was probably because of Talia.
But the rehearsal mattered most right now.
Annelise took a deep breath, ignored the outstretched hand, and walked straight to her position.
The piano prelude began. It was a piece she knew by heart, yet hadn’t played in a long time.
As the violin entered, she felt as though she had been transported back to the summer after the SATs.
That year, while Celestine went on dates with Bastian every day, she shut herself in the practice room, forcing herself to stay busy so she wouldn’t have time to feel sad.
But her mind had been in turmoil, and she couldn’t master the new piece, no matter how hard she tried.
“You’re playing too fast.”
A voice had come from the doorway. Startled, she turned and saw Bastian standing there.
“This piece should be played like this.” He had walked over to the piano and sat down, pressing the keys in demonstration.
“Try again.”
The sound of his piano filled the room once more, and she followed along with her bow.
Their first duet had ended smoothly. She had felt the urge to confess everything to him, but then Celestine had suddenly appeared.
All her words had been swallowed back down.
The final note faded slowly through the rehearsal hall.
Annelise opened her eyes and met Bastian’s unfathomable dark gaze.
He didn’t praise her playing as he had back then.
Instead, he lifted his hand slightly and pointed toward Talia, standing at the side of the stage. His voice carried no emotion. “Replace the violinist with her.”