Bound Hearts: My Vows to My Disabled Spouse

The Concertmaster

As soon as Vicky wrapped up her performance, Abram wasted no time in showering her with praise. "Bravo! Excellent performance!" he exclaimed, his admiration evident.

Vicky held a special place in Abram's heart as his favorite apprentice.

Vicky's chest swelled with pride at Abram's words.

She couldn't help but sneak a glance at the silent Elyse and stifled a laugh.

She had already made it clear to Elyse that the latter was no match for her. Yet, there Elyse was, attending the selection, only to be outshone by her. It was almost comical, like watching a clown trying to compete with a star performer...

'As Abram, Merlin, and the others engaged in a flurry of post-performance chatter, they beckoned Cody to share his thoughts.

It wasn't long before the fate of the Celestial Sounds Symphony's concertmaster for the upcoming domestic tour was sealed.

"Congratulations, Vicky! You've earned the prestigious title of concertmaster for our upcoming tour," Abram announced proudly, his eyes darting over to Merlin with a subtle hint of whose

apprentice reigned supreme.

Merlin, sensing Abram's provocation, maintained a stoic expression and applauded along with the rest, refusing to engage in any overt rivalry.

The room erupted in thunderous applause and joyful cheers, a cacophony of celebration that filled the air as Vicky basked in the adulation of her peers.

She had always stood out among her peers, her talent shining brighter than the rest. It was no

surprise, then, that she deserved the title of concertmaster.

Elyse descended the stage stairs with a heavy silence hanging aroundNôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

her, her heart weighed down by the bitter taste of defeat.

The stage reserved for winners had never felt more distant, more unattainable to her.

Richie and Darren approached her, perhaps to offer comfort or words of encouragement, but she

silently declined, shaking her head before leaving the performance hall.

Concern etched Richie's face. "What should we do?" Richie said anxiously, "I want to talk to her." He was aware that Cody had been eager to mentor Elyse for some time, but he suspected Cody's feelings might have changed. Despite this, Cody remained tight-lipped about his true intentions of watching the orchestra's concertmaster selection.

As the sole bearer of the truth, Richie found himself increasingly uneasy about keeping it to himself.

Darren placed a comforting hand on Richie's shoulder and shook his

head.

Grace interjected, "Let her be. The sting of a first failure is sharp, but she must find her own strength. Otherwise, she'll never rise again."

Richie felt increasingly uneasy.

He wanted to defend Elyse, insisting that she hadn't truly failed; she was Cody's apprentice, and

this setback wouldn't define her.

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Abram's booming voice interrupted their conversation. "Well done! You deserve to be my

apprentice. No one your age can match you!"

They glanced over to see Vicky standing confidently before a group of instructors, her demeanor oozing arrogance.

Perhaps Vicky noticed their scrutinizing gazes and responded with a subtle lift of her chin, a hint of smugness and challenge dancing in her eyes.

Bart, noticing Vicky's demeanor, furrowed his brow and said, "Achieving victory is commendable, but there's a fine line between confidence and arrogance."

Darren, resigned, added, "Vicky's track record is flawless. She truly stands out among her peers." Grace, wearing a displeased expression, interjected, "If only you could overcome your stage nerves, Darren. Then, perhaps you'd surpass her one day."

Darren, caught off guard by Grace's blunt critique, could only offer a helpless look in return. How could she prod at his insecurities like that?

Meanwhile, Vicky, reveling in her victory as the newly crowned concertmaster, eagerly sought out Cody's acknowledgment. However, upon scanning the room, she realized he was nowhere to be found.

Turning to Abram, she tugged at his sleeve, and asked, "Mr. Ellsworth, where's Mr. Tucker? Wasn't he here to scout for an apprentice? I've clinched first place. Why isn't he here?"

Abram, now aware of Cody's absence, scanned the room in puzzlement. However, his questions

to the nearby teachers yielded no clues about Cody's whereabouts.

Planning your weekend reading? Ensure you're on 000005s.org for uninterrupted enjoyment. The next chapter is just a click away, exclusively available on our site. Happy reading! Scanning the room in search of Cody, he puzzled aloud, "That's odd. Where could he have disappeared to?"

Vicky's anxiety grew as she recalled seeing Cody engaged in conversation with Darren, Grace, and Bart-none of whom had been selected for the concertmaster position. She remembered how Cody had offered feedback, both constructive criticism and praise, highlighting their strengths and areas for improvement.

Vicky couldn't shake the feeling of confusion. She knew she was an exceptional musician, so why hadn't Cody publicly declared her as his apprentice?

Vicky scanned the room with growing anxiety, oblivious to the fact that Cody had followed Elyse out of the performance hall.

In the tranquil garden, Elyse found solace amidst the flowers, her sighs breaking the silence. "It's just a setback, no need for such heavy sighs." Cody's voice

interrupted her thoughts as he approached, his hands clasped behind his back.

Startled by his presence, Elyse rose from her seat, her eyes wide with surprise. "Mr. Tucker, what brings you here?" she asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

Cody regarded Elyse's uneasy demeanor with a neutral expression before posing a question of his own, "Was this your first time standing on the front of the stage?"

Elyse nodded slowly, her gaze falling to the ground. "Yes, it was. I've performed before, but always

in the background, unnoticed. Today marked my debut as a concertmaster. Despite it not being a public performance, I felt... uneasy," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "Being in such a prominent position made me uncomfortable."