Chapter 4

The faint smell of disinfectant seeped into my nostrils as I lay in the hospital bed.

I furrowed my brow and instinctively glanced at the clock.

By now, the orchestra's selection process should have been long over.

I quietly rested against the bed, my gaze drifting to a group of nurses chatting excitedly.

"Hey, did you hear that Mr. Fraiche is leading the orchestra's selection here?"

"Yeah, I just saw the news. Miranda made it into the orchestra and became Mr. Fraiche's student. She's so impressive."

"She really is. Not only is she beautiful and plays the piano wonderfully, but she also has this childhood sweetheart, the heir of Menzie Corporation. They've grown up together. During her speech earlier, she even mentioned that boyfriend of hers!"

"Wow, sounds like something out of a fairy tale!"

The two nurses laughed as they walked out of the room.

I watched them leave, and the doctor's helpless sigh echoed in my mind.

"What a shame. You're such a beautiful young woman... but what happened to those hands?"

I hurriedly asked the doctor, anxiety tightening my chest, "Doctor, if my hands heal, will I still be able to play the piano?"

"Physically, your hands might recover," the doctor said, eyeing me strangely before continuing, "But even if you can play, it will never be at the level it once was..."

His words felt like a bucket of ice-cold water, completely shattering my last bit of hope.

Just then, the door swung open.

I saw Ryan walk in, followed by Miranda, who was holding a bouquet, her face glowing with joy.

I turned my face coldly toward them, my voice flat. "What are you doing here? Trying to rub it in my face?"

Miranda bit her lip, her big eyes full of hurt. "Susan, please don't think that. I heard from Ryan that you were hurt, and I wanted to come check on you."

She gently placed the bouquet beside my bed.

"Really?" I sneered, "Are you saying you don't know Ryan is the one who broke my hands..."

Ryan's face turned pale at my words.

He clenched his fists at his sides, his voice sharp with anger. "You can hate me all you want, but Miranda is innocent. She didn't know any of this."

Innocent? I couldn't help but laugh bitterly.

I remembered countless times when Miranda had taunted me, telling me how Ryan had locked me on the balcony to keep me from making it to the competition, how she had arranged for others to bully me, warning me to stay away from Ryan.

Ignoring the excruciating pain in my hands, which were wrapped in bandages, I lifted them and hurled the bouquet Miranda had placed by my bed to the floor.

Miranda jumped back, startled, letting out a terrified scream as she clung to Ryan.

Ryan immediately erupted in fury, pointing at me, his voice full of rage. "Susan, you crazy woman! Miranda came here to check on you, to bring you flowers, and you repay her kindness by throwing her gift on the floor?!"

I coldly retorted, "I'm allergic to pollen. Didn't you know that, Ryan?"

Ryan froze, his anger fading to embarrassment as he stood there, momentarily speechless.

He mumbled an apology. "Sorry, Susan. I forgot—"

I cut him off, my voice resolute, "It's over."