Chapter 438
Every moment felt precious to Evelyn now.
She poured herself into practicing the piano piece, determined to redeem her past mistakes. The melody transported her back to the orphanage days.
Fragments of forgotten memories only surfaced when her fingers danced across the ivory keys.
Beyond the orphanage recollections, she sensed there was someone else she'd forgotten - someone who once meant everything to her.
As she played, the music became a bridge to her past while her fingers perfected the present.
Just then, a bob-haired woman appeared in the doorway, her sharp eyes surveying the room with calculated interest.
Evelyn lifted her gaze. "Hello there. Can I help you with something?"
"Hi! I'm from the Creative Writing Department," the stranger replied. "I'm working on a novel featuring a piano prodigy protagonist and needed research inspiration."
She hesitated before continuing. "I don't know anyone from the Music Department well enough to approach. But I've noticed you practicing several times. You're not a music major, are you? You're Evelyn Carter, right?"
"That's me." Evelyn gestured to the bench beside her. "Please, join me. Though I should warn you, I'm hardly an expert on music."
"Well, the other day I happened to hear you playing this beautiful, unfamiliar children's song..."
"Oh that? It was composed by the director of my childhood orphanage. Not exactly mainstream repertoire."
"No way! I grew up in an orphanage too!" The woman's face lit up. "No wonder I felt this instant connection. I'm Danielle Spencer. Friends?"
"Absolutely!" Evelyn found herself smiling genuinely at this unexpected kindred spirit.
Neither woman pretended musical expertise, yet their mutual honesty created an immediate bond.
Meanwhile downstairs, Victoria Sinclair paced the corridors with restless energy, her mind clearly preoccupied.
Under her instructions, investigators had been meticulously combing through every Music Department student's background.
Victoria was certain - if the real Ms. Montgomery was enrolled in any music program, she would eventually surface.
It was simply a waiting game.
After their practice session ended, Evelyn and Danielle left the music building together that afternoon.
"I need to head home for lunch," Danielle said. "But let's do this again soon?"
"Definitely. Text me next time you're coming to practice." Evelyn agreed warmly.
They parted ways with a wave, Evelyn hailing a cab home.
She found Christopher Montgomery on the living room sofa, just ending a phone call with Anthony.
"Let's continue this later," Christopher said upon seeing her, quickly concluding his conversation.
"How's the preparation going, Evelyn?" he asked, setting aside his phone.
"Good progress today," she replied. "I can feel my playing improving."
Christopher's lips curved slightly. "Really? Play something for me then."
As her fingers moved across the imaginary keys, the improvement was evident. While still far from professional standards, the growth from her first attempts was remarkable.
The next morning, Evelyn arrived on campus early, the weight of the upcoming music showcase pressing on her.
Elizabeth Hartwell handed her the event schedule, where one particular guest name jumped out immediately:
"Nathaniel Whitmore"
And just below it, another equally familiar name that made her breath catch.