Chapter 73: A Successful Launch
Compared to the other guests, Nathaniel appeared significantly more composed. Stellaโs gaze returned to Cecilia. โAlthough my first love and I had a tumultuous relationship, and we didn't marry, I believe we will eventually be together.โ This was a thinly veiled warning.
As the accompaniment began, Stellaโs new song, โRay of Light in the Dark,โ filled the room. The melody was graceful and deeply moving. Cecilia found it strangely familiar, though she couldn't place it.
โThe melody is quite good,โ Nathaniel remarked slowly from beside Cecilia, โItโs just a shame she ruined the song.โ
Cecilia, still trying to recall the melody's origin, was distracted by Nathaniel. Although Stella had begun her career as a singer, her voice wasn't particularly impressive.
Nathaniel looked at Cecilia. โI remember you used to enjoy singing, too.โ Cecilia had almost forgotten; perhaps influenced by her mother, Paula, sheโd had a keen musical sense from a young age. However, her hearing impairment proved a significant obstacle in the music industry. Nathaniel had once overheard her humming; she'd sounded magnificent. He'd believed she could have been famous.
Cecilia hadn't expected him to remember her fondness for singing. Back then, he'd been most bothered by the noise at home.
โIs that so? I canโt recall,โ she responded.
Under the dim light, Nathanielโs gaze deepened. โDo you remember that Stellaโs first love was me?โ His purpose was to observe Cecilia's reaction to Stella. He didnโt believe she would be indifferent.
โYou were the one who snatched me from her grasp,โ he stated, enunciating each word intently.
Nonsense! He was the one who had ended things with Stella first; only after their separation did his and Cecilia's families discuss marriage arrangements.
This blatant distortion of the truth ignited Cecilia's indignation, though she concealed it. โIs that so? I may have hearing impairment, but Iโm not short-sighted. Was my charm so lacking that I had to compete with her for a man?โ
Nathaniel's expression stiffened. "Do you think other men are better than me?" Had they been alone, he would have demanded a full explanation.
Sensing his rising anger, Cecilia decided to stop pushing. โI was just making a comparison, Mr. Rainsworth. Donโt overthink it.โ
How could he not overthink? Cecilia had returned a changed woman. He wanted to say more, but Stella finished her song. He hadn't listened beyond the first two lines.
The melody ended, and applause erupted. While Stellaโs singing was average, the new song's melody was genuinely pleasingโfar superior to her previous work. Some boldly predicted its imminent success.
The song launch was a resounding success. Surrounded by admirers, Stellaโs gaze inevitably found Nathaniel. Satisfaction gleamed in her eyes. She had proven herself equal to Cecilia.
After the media departed, Stella approached Nathaniel. In front of Cecilia, pride shone in her eyes. โNathaniel, I knew you would come. You never miss my important moments.โ
Cecilia watched, speechless. Stellaโs words led the remaining classmates to assume Nathaniel was there for her.