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I closed my eyes and felt something wet on my aching cheek. I was crying. A single tear. The music flowed and I swiped the tear away.
“Mommy, play for me, please!” I begged.
She laughed and pulled me to the piano. “Okay, my baby.” She sat down and placed me on her lap. “There you go,” she said, giving me a kiss on the cheek before moving her attention to the piano. Mommy ran her fingers over the keys softly at first and then started to play. As soon as the music came through, I relaxed against her and sighed in contentment.
In no time, I was slowly falling asleep, as always.
This was my favorite part of the day. Just Mommy and me, and the piano.
I closed my eyes at the memory. It hurt, but my heart wasn’t squeezing in pain as it was before.
I could breathe without it feeling like I was being cut with a hundred sharp knives.
With my eyes still closed, I listened to Ayla playing. After a song, she played another. And then she started humming.
My eyes opened and I stared at her. Her eyes were closed, her body moving slowly with the music. My stomach twisted and my heart ached at the sight.
With her black hair falling down in waves around her shoulders, her cheeks flushed red and her white dress, only one thought came to mind.
Something that my father told me about, so many years ago. I shook my head and squeezed my hands in fists. A throbbing pain went through my fingers, but that wasn’t enough to snap me out of my thoughts.
I couldn’t take my eyes off Ayla.
As the soft, gentle and beautiful music continued to flow around us, enveloping us in a peaceful melody, I could only think of one thing.
Ayla.
She looked like an angel.
***
Lena
I was awake, my mind racing. In was one of those nights when I couldn’t stop thinking about Maria.
My eyes were closed, but when I heard a beautiful music, I opened them again, my forehead creasing in confusion. I quickly sat up. I looked at my ceiling and gasped. It was coming from the sitting room. The piano.
But how was it possible? Nobody was allowed in the room. No one except Alessio himself.
Who could be playing? I walked toward the music. As I drew closer, it sounded so beautiful, haunting yet peaceful.
No one had played the piano since Maria’s death. Lyov and Alessio had forbid it.
The door was open. Leaning against the wall, I peeked inside. Alessio was sitting on the couch. His eyes were focused intently on the piano, but it was his expression that took my breath away.
He looked completely mesmerized.
I leaned forward, and this time I had to press my hand over my mouth to stop the gasp that threatened to escape.
Ayla was playing the piano, her eyes closed as she hummed, a soft smile on her face.
I looked back and forth between them. They were both enthralled.
Ayla was lost in playing the piano while Alessio was lost in her.
I sniffed as the tears fell down my cheeks. What a beautiful sight.
Slowly stepping away from the door, I smiled. This was it, the moment I had been waiting for.
He is going to be okay, I thought.
Looking up at the ceiling, I softly whispered, “He is going to be okay. He found her, Maria.” Tears blinded my vision. “You can rest in peace now. Your sweet boy has found his angel.”
Chapter 28
Ayla
After playing the first song, I couldn’t help myself, so I didn’t stop. Instead, I played another. One of my favorite songs, called I Won’t Give Up. I used to play that every day.
As the song flowed around me, I felt myself singing to the melody. My voice was a quiet whisper, soft even to my ears. My racing heart slowed to a soothing beat.
After so long, I felt at peace and strangely hopeful.
The piano had always been my escape. When life failed me, my piano never did. It always gave me the sanctuary I needed. It always brought me the peace I was desperate for. And I was grateful I could feel that way again.
The second song ended and I played another one, hoping Alessio wouldn’t tell me to stop. But when I didn’t hear him, I continued to play. This time I played A Thousand Years.
As my fingers flowed on the keys and the third song came to an end, I slowly opened my eyes, instantly meeting Alessio’s gaze. His stare was intense, unflinching, and he looked deep in thought, and maybe a little lost.
My hands were still resting on the piano as we stared at each other. The smile on my face dissipated as nervousness filled my body.
As long as I was playing, I didn’t care what happened around me. Nothing mattered. But now, looking at Alessio, his eyes as intense as always, I grew anxious.
