A Sonata for the Scarred

At the Bowie Group celebration, Eddie showed up with Rhea on his arm.

Heads turned. Some stared, others snickered.

"So that's Eddie's girl? Deaf and basic. What's he even see in her? He brought her here?"

"So what? She met him when he was a wreck. Just dumb luck."

"Luck? Please. Glenna's the one with the ring—and a Bali wedding locked in."

Rhea didn't flinch. Played it like she couldn't hear a thing.

Eddie's frown twitched—he totally caught the whispers.

Didn't say a thing. Just steered her to a corner seat.

[Gotta talk to some people. Chill here. Grab food if you want.]

He signed that, then dipped into the crowd.

People swarmed him fast, but his eyes kept darting to the entrance.

Then boom—doors opened. Glenna stepped in, dripping in couture.

She and Eddie locked eyes, smiling like they owned the place.

They looked perfect together.

Compliments flew. Glenna soaked it all in, glowing like she lived for it.

Then her eyes found Rhea. Quiet. Alone.

She walked over, hand out.

"Hi, you must be Rhea Smith? I'm Glenna Digger. Hope we get along from now on."

Rhea shot her a glance but stayed still.

First time face-to-face, but Glenna's hate had always been loud.

When Rhea didn't budge, Glenna turned to Eddie, all faux-upset.

"Eddie, Miss Smith, she..."

He gave Rhea a look—half annoyed.

"She can't hear."

Glenna nodded, then leaned in, all sweet and smug.

"Eddie, I heard she used to be this rising piano star. Think she can play with me tonight? It's my first show since I got back, and I really want it to be perfect."

Rhea stiffened. She hadn't touched a piano in forever.

After the crash, just seeing one made her chest tighten.

The memories hit too hard. Too sharp.

Eddie knew that.

Still, she heard him say, "Alright."

Rhea bit her lip, blinking back the burn behind her eyes.

Of course it was always Glenna. She was the one Eddie really gave a damn about.

Even the crash—what Rhea once thought was some twisted rescue—that was part of the setup.

All so his girl could snag that win.

Didn't matter if it wrecked Rhea's future.

Nothing's changed.

Her pride, her past, her whole name—meant zero to him.

Eddie glanced at her, caught the way her face had gone ghost-pale.

Guilt flickered, but it was weak.

He hesitated, then started to sign—[Glenna wants to do a duet with you...]

Rhea cut in, voice steady.

"Fine. I'll play."

Eddie froze. Started signing again—[Rhea, I know you don't want to, but it's Glenna's first performance since coming back...]

Rhea stood and headed straight for center stage.

Eddie watched her, uneasy creeping in despite her calm face.

He reached out, signing, [After this, let's go home. Got a gift for you.]

She turned around. No words. No glance.

They sat at the piano. Rhea took a breath, turned to Glenna.

"Let's begin, Miss Digger."

Glenna lifted her hands, all elegance. The melody floated out smooth.

Rhea tried to sync with her, but the past hit hard.

The keys looked white—she saw blood.

In her head: 'Sorry, Miss Smith. Your hearing may never return.'

Her timing slipped. Whispers rose.

"She won awards? Doesn't even play well enough to teach."

"She's deaf. What'd you expect? Glenna's wasting her talent up there."

The piece ended. Glenna stood, bowed like a queen.

Eddie handed her flowers, smiling. "Beautiful, just like before."

Rhea met his eyes. He flinched like her stare burned.

[Rhea, tonight was Glenna's show. That's why the flowers were for her. I'll make it up to you.]

Make it up? CEO of Bowie Group couldn't find a spare bouquet in ten minutes?

He didn't even fake it.

"No need."

Even she was surprised by how raw her voice sounded.

She just wanted out.

This place wasn't hers.

To them, she was just the side act—the joke.

Applause echoed like thunder, but none of it hit her.

Only the mockery did.

She stood to go.

Glenna grabbed her arm.