Page 135 of Symphony for Lies

“I’ll take you home.”

I nodded weakly and let him drive me away.

Chapter 29

My fingers lingered on the photo frame that held the cruise ticket my grandfather gave my grandmother. A small smile ghosted over my lips, but it quickly faded as I put it in a box.

The house was almost empty. The sale had gone through, and only the living room remained furnished, a quiet space to spend my last few days in it.

The walls held mere shadows of the memories that had once filled them.

Five weeks had passed since the funeral. I needed time to come to terms with the emptiness. My friends helped me stay afloat, but Tiana spoke the hard truth, “You must get out of here. A fresh start is the only thing that will really help you.”

She was right.

My house and the vacant one next door were nothing but monuments to a past that threatened to suffocate me.

Ali and Layla referred me to a realtor, and the sale happened faster than expected. Stacy helped me find an apartment near her place; the lease was signed, and my new home was waiting.

I had given away almost everything, the furniture, my grandparents’ clothes, even the old cooking books lining the shelves. Only the small,meaningful things remained. My grandmother’s apron, the vases, the dishes, and our pictures.

My new apartment was furnished, but I hadn’t stepped inside. Not yet. I was clinging to the remnants of my home, staying until the very end.

I set the box on the table and ran a tired hand through my hair.

The doorbell rang.

I expected Spencer, but when I opened the door, I came face-to-face with Mrs. Cole.

I blinked, thinking for a second that I was seeing things. But no, she was really there.

The woman who had always carried herself with unwavering pride looked… diminished. Her usually flawless complexion was pale, and her frame was thinner, almost frail. And yet, as always, she was impeccably dressed. In her hands, she held a bouquet of flowers.

“Hello, Amelia,” she said, her voice softer than I had ever heard before.

I didn’t respond.

“I wasn’t able to offer my condolences at the funeral,” she continued.

I frowned. That was unexpected, but I stepped aside, letting her in. She walked into the entryway, following my silent gesture toward the living room, the only place with seating.

“I can’t offer you anything.” I motioned toward the empty kitchen.

“That’s alright. I wasn’t planning on staying long.”

Silence stretched between us.

Mrs. Cole smoothed the fabric of her skirt, her fingers twitching slightly.“My son, Simon, sends his regards. He wanted to come, but I didn’t think it was appropriate.”

I blinked, momentarily caught off guard.“Oh… Thank you.”

Simon. I had often thought about him and all the kids I tutored. Teaching them had been something I truly enjoyed. But I had come to terms with the situation.

“He’s changed for the better. When you tutored him, he thrived. But after you left… he shut down again. I tried everything, but nothing helped. And then, one day, Zane showed up with a cat. He told us he got her from you.” A small chuckle escaped her lips. “That cat changed everything. The house feels… lighter. Simon started smiling again.”

The flowers in my hands suddenly felt heavier.

“I wanted to thank you for that.”