Chapter 28
Nick waved his hand, brushing it off. “Hey, don’t bother explaining. I get it”
He figured Yancey was just too proud to admit to having someone like Hannah as his ideal woman. But whatever, it didn’t change the fact that he’d done it. Nick believed if a man had any guts, he had to take responsibility for his actions.
Nick took a gulp of his drink, his gaze still locked on Daphne, who was on stage. He zoned out for a moment, just thinking.
Then, unable to hold it in, he muttered. “I just don’t get it, man. You’ve got a wife like that, and you don’t even want her? Dude, what were you even thinking
His tone was dead serious like he actually wanted an answer.
Yancey’s expression darkened, his eyes narrowing, a dangerous glint flashing across them.
Seeing that. Nick quickly made a zipping motion across his lips, signalling for himself to keep quiet.
It wasn’t that Nick was scared. He knew exactly what kind of crazy Yancey was capable of. The guy was a total loose cannon,
Pushing his buttons was definitely not a good idea. Things seemed fine for now, but Nick knew better. Later, Yancey’s revenge would be
inforgettable and painful.
“Wright, alright. No more talking. Let’s just enjoy the music,” Nick said, shrinking into his sent as if trying to disappear.
Yancey didn’t say a word. He just pressed his lips together and turned his attention back to the music.
On stage, Daphne’s voice was so soft and warm that it seemed to melt everyone’s heart. Her singing, paired with the piano, had the magical power to draw in the crowd. People couldn’t look away, each person caught in the spell of her voice.
Her presence commanded more attention than any loud, dramatic performance ever could. With just her voice, she had the whole bar under her sway.
As the last notes of the piano faded, the room erupted in thunderous applause, and the crowd cheered for Daphne
“That plano playing was amazing!” someone shouted, clapping enthusiastically.
“Her voice is incredible! The piano and her singing just go so perfectly together another person added, clearly impressed.
“Miss, you’re so beautiful! Will you marry met a man shouted, his voice filled with admiration.
“Are you serious? A guy like you doesn’t stand a chance with someone like her another guy teased, laughing-
“Ugh, I love you!” someone else groaned, completely swept away by the performance
“Encore! Do it again!” someone else urged
The cheers were deafening. Everyone was yelling for Daphne to stay and sing one more kont
Daphne looked around, a bit helpless, her eyes landing on Nathan in the crowd.
Nathan raised lus eyebrows and nodded, silently urging her to stay. Right next to him was Farrell Chapin, the regular singer who had rushed over to fill in. He was also clapping and cheering, pushing Daphne to sing just one more song.
At this point, there was no way that Daphne could refuse. She grabbed the microphone and said, “Alright, I’ll sing one more song.”
She asked the crowd what they wanted to hear, but the answer was the same from every corner. “Anything you sing is fine!”
Daphne paused for a second and then smiled. Her voice softened as she said, “I’ll just sing whatever comes to mind”
As soon as the words left her mouth, the crowd cheered.
Daphine sat back down at the piano, took a deep breath, and placed her delicate fingers on the keys. She closed her eyes slowly.
For some reason, a flood of memories came rushing back to her.
Those beautiful, carefree days from her youth played out in her mind like an old movie. Each scene, which was faded and yellowed, pulled her deejer with every passing second
The silence seemed to pull Yancey back to real
reality.
10.54 AM m
Chapter 28
He straightened up, his voice low and flat as he said. “Time to leave.”
“Hey, why are you in such a rush? Daphne’s about to sing another song!” Nick asked, sounding a bit frantic.
Yancey’s tone remained distant. It doesn’t matter to me
Nick pursed his lips. “Alright, I guess you’ve probably heard enough of her singing at home.”
Nick brought up the one thing that would hit a nerve. Yancey closed his eyes, trying to hide the flash of pain in his expression before responding coldly. “What’s so special about it?”
At home, Daphne had never played the piano. When they first got married, Yancey had made sure to destroy it. He knew how much she loved it, and that made it all the more satisfying for him to break it,
“Her singing sounds great!” Nick glanced at Yancey, studying him with a curious look. “But you don’t look happy. What’s going on?”
Nick was sure Yancey wasn’t upset about her singing. Something else was bothering him.
“What could it be? Is it because Daphne’s drawing attention out there so soon after the divorce? Or is it because she’s never played the plano for him” Nick wondered.
But none of it really made sense. Doesn’t he feel nothing for his ex–wife! Why would he care about these small things” Nick thought.
Then, an idea hit Nick. His eyes widened, and he asked incredulously. “Dude, are you, like, jealous or something?”
Yancey shut his eyes, fighting the urge to punch Nick “Don’t listen to her music anymore,” he said coldly, his voice low
Without warning, he grabbed Nick by the collar and yanked him out of his seat as easily as if he were picking up a child.
They were just about to push open the bar door and step outside when the sound of the piano suddenly filled the air.
As soon as the prelude began, Yancey froze, his feet locking in place. His eyes darkened with a mix of emotions
so glad you made time to see me. How’s life? Tell me how’s your family. I haven’t seen them in a while.”
Nick, who was still dangling by the collar, couldn’t help himself. He let out an excited Laugh. “Whoat Ir’s Back to December!”
Yancey slowly turned around, his gaze hard as he watched Daphne on stage. His deep eyes betrayed no hint of what he was feeling.
Daphne sat under the soft, warm lighting. A loose strand of hair fell from her temple, making her face look even more delicate than before.
As she sang, her voice carried a hint of nostalgia as if she recalled something sweet from the past. A gentle smile curled at her lips, making her beauty more mesmerizing. Every tiny shift of her expression tugged at the hearts of everyone watching.
Yancey’s eyes darkened, and with a heavy sigh, he let go of Nick. Without a word he turned and walked out of the bar.
Nick, who was still entranced by Daphne, hesitated, but he knew he couldn’t just ignore his friend. He backed out of the bar, trying to steal a few more notes of her son.
Outside, the faint sounds of the party echoed from inside the bar.
- g. Nick finally caught up with Yancey. “Bro, why are you walking so fast!”
Panting.
They were about the same height, Nick wondered why Yancey was moving way faster,
Nick didn’t want to admit it, but his legs were shorter. He grabbed Yancey’s arm, asking “Hey, what’s going on with you?”
Yancey swatted his hand away, pulled out his car keys, and opened the dour,
In one smooth motion, he slid into the driver’s seat, started the engine, and slammed the door shut.
Before Nick even had a chance to react, Yancey gunned the engine. Nick barely managed to hop into the car as Yancey was peeling out of the parking lot.
The engine roared to life, and the car shot out of the spot like a bullet.
Yancey was a skilled driver, but the way he drove was absolutely terrifying.
Nock gripped the seat, his heart pounding in his chest. He fumbled to buckle his seatbelt, his voice shaking as he managed to ask, “Yancey, are you trying to kill us? Don’t drag me into this death trap!”
If he id known the ride was
was going to be this insane, he would’ve mayed the hell out of the car.
Chapter 28
Yancey’s lips were set in a hard line, not a word escaping his mouth. His foot pressed down harder on the gas pedal as they sped up the winding mountain road
Nick watched in horror as the trees blurred by like they were moving at lightning speed.
He felt like his life was hanging by a thread, ready to snap at any second.
If he’d known this was how it would end, he would’ve never tried to comfort Yancey.
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