Page 33 of Symphony for Lies (Tangled Truths #2)

“She’s still asleep,” a deep voice murmured close to my ear.

“It’s already noon. Neither of you have eaten yet,” a familiar, lighter voice countered.

I wrinkled my nose. My body felt heavy, and my head pounded.

Was that my grandmother?

“Should I really wake her up?” the deep voice asked.

Abruptly, I snapped my eyes open, blinking against the harsh light.

My head was resting on a warm, solid chest, and I was wrapped in strong arms.

Oh. My. God.

Slowly, I tilted my head up and glimpsed Zane’s amused smirk.

“Good morning, sleeping beauty.”

Panicked, my gaze darted to the doorway.

My grandma sent me a mischievous grin.“Well, well. Finally awake?”She tapped her foot against the floor, her piercing stare making me shrink into the mattress.

“I can explain!”

“Oh, no need. Zane already told me everything!”

He what? My head snapped toward him.

He was lounging back on the pillows, arms behind his head, with that damn smirk still on his lips.

“For someone who supposedly had a motorcycle accident and needed you to take care of him, it sure looks like you’re the one who needs rest.”

I swallowed hard.

Oh. God.

Grandma’s sharp eyes sparkled with joy as they assessed me. I opened my mouth, ready to defend myself, but she cut me off with a dismissive wave. “Whatever. Food’s ready. Come downstairs.”

She turned, shutting the door behind her.

Releasing a shaky breath, I went to get up, but Zane’s arms wrapped around my waist and yanked me back down.

“You thought I ratted you out to your grandma?” he teased, pressing a slow, lazy kiss against my cheek.

I glared at him. Of course, I thought that.

“Well, I should’ve, just to make you regret ever setting foot in a dangerous situation.”

I clicked my tongue.

“But I don’t want you to be mad at me. She was surprised to find us like this. But I explained everything. She took it pretty well. I think she likes me.”

Heat crept up my face.“Let me go.”

“No.”

I sighed, “My grandma is waiting.”

“Just a little longer.”

He rested his forehead against my shoulder, his breath caressing my skin, and I let myself sink into the moment. My fingers lightly traced his arm.

When I turned to face him,my eyes scrutinized the wound on his head. “How are you feeling?”

His gaze dropped to my lips.“Right now? Couldn’t be better.”

A small smile tugged at my lips.I leaned in, brushing a soft kiss over his mouth.

“Do you want to tell me what happened?”

His expression dulled. “Will you start playing detective again?”

I shook my head.

After a beat, he sighed,“I just needed some air. After you left, I talked with my family and went outside to clear my head. I must’ve let my guard down. When I walked toward my garage… someone was behind me.”

My stomach twisted.

“It happened so fast. I didn’t see it. Didn’t hear. I didn’t have time to fight back.”

I felt sick.

“I don’t know how long I was down there. But it felt like forever. You know what pissed me off the most?”

I slowly shook my head.

“The thought of never coming back to you. The thought of someone else having you.” His hands balled into fists.“I would’ve lost my fucking mind. But then you came.” He let out a low breath, pressing a soft kiss to my cheek.“You have no idea what I felt in that moment.”

His words made my chest ache. I cupped his face, pulling him toward me for a kiss filled with everything we couldn’t say.

One week passed, and it felt surreal.

After all the chaos, life had somehow returned to normal. Zane stayed with us for a few days.

And to my surprise, Grandma and he got along better than I ever expected.Sometimes, I’d catch them chatting in the kitchen as if they were old friends.

When she wasn’t home, my friends came over and gave me a long, heated lecture about my reckless actions, making me promise that if I ever got involved in something dangerous again, they’d rat me out to my grandmother.

At the end of the week, Zane and I had a meeting at the police station to give our statements.

Spencer questioned us separately.

When it was my turn, I explained everything in detail, even offering to keep helping in the investigation. Spencer thanked me with an expression that said he wanted me far away from the case.

My statement also cleared Tristan.

He was released from custody, and two days later, I received a message from him.

Tristan:

Amelia, I heard what you did. Thank you. Honestly, I still don’t get how things got this bad. Someone clearly wanted me to take the fall, and I didn’t even see it coming. I am glad you believed in my innocence.

I can’t say much yet as things are still being looked into. But I just wanted you to know that I’m staying out of sight for now. The spotlight’s not exactly kind these days.

You’ve always been my muse, Amelia . And even if I keep my distance now, I won’t forget that.

Thank you for everything.

The words sent a surge of relief through me. I was sure he wasn’t the killer. The real culprit tried to ruin his life and tested me by taking Zane… It was terrifying, but I didn’t have the energy to unravel that thread yet. I was just glad I could finally breathe again.

A new week began, and Zane vanished over the weekend. He told me he had things to take care of, but I didn’t think much of it.Maybe I should have.

The day started as usual until I got a call from the school during my lunch break.

“Miss . Walker?” Mr. Anderson, the principal, said.

“Yes?”

An awkward silence stretched over the line, and then he cleared his throat.“ I ’ m sorry to inform you that you can no longer tutor the students.”

“Excuse me?”

“ We appreciate your work, truly. But we’ve found someone to replace you.”

“You owe me an explanation!”

“Certain… rumors have reached me. And the fact remains , you’ve caused great disruption. ”

“Disruption?”

“The police have been at the school multiple times. And every single time, you were involved . Let’s part ways amicably, Miss . Walker. Your final paycheck will be sent to you soon.”

With that, he hung up.

A wave of nausea rolled over me. I had just been fired.

First, Mrs. Cole, and then the school.

I sat there, stunned until a soft knock at the door snapped me from my mental spiral.

Linda stepped inside the room. “Amelia, can you come to my office for a moment?”

Still reeling, I followed her and sat down.

She perched on the desk, her gaze serious.“I usually don’t interfere in personal matters. But this time, I have to.”

My heart sank. Was she about to fire me, too?

“Two women came here last week. They offered me a large sum of money to fire you and told me something ridiculous.”

My entire body froze.“What?”

“I don’t take bribes, Amelia. And I don’t believe in rumors. But I need you to be careful. These women, whoever they are, wanted to ruin you.”

A chill ran down my spine. “Who?”

She waved it off. “I didn’t bother remembering their names.

That doesn’t matter.” She placed a firm hand on my shoulder.

“I don’t know what’s going on in your life.

But ever since the poisoning cases, things have changed.

You’ve done a lot, Amelia. You’ve taken on so many shifts and worked so much overtime. If you want, take some time off. Rest.”

I shook my head.“Thank you, Linda. But I’m staying.”

She gently squeezed my shoulder before returning to her desk and settling into her chair.

“I’m sorry you had to deal with this. ”

“Don’t apologize, Amelia. It’s okay.”

She smiled, sliding some documents toward me. “Here. These need to be updated. Give them to Robert.”

And just like that, the conversation was over.

On my way to the front desk, Rita grabbed my wrist and yanked me into the break room.

“Isn’t that your guy?” She shoved her phone into my hand.

I barely had time to grip the device properly before she furiously tapped on the screen.

A video began playing.

Zane stood in the center of a small stage, playing the violin.

“Yeah… that’s him.”

I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to see until Rita fast-forwarded to the end.

Zane was still on stage, violin in hand, as a voice boomed over the speakers, “And now, the wonderful news—the engagement of Ella Aria and Zane Cole!”

Heat and cold waves surged through me at the same time. I rewound the video and played it again.

And again. And again.

Every. Single. Time. The same words. The same image.

Zane… he didn’t say anything. He didn’t react. His hands were clasped behind his back, his gaze fixed on the floor.

Ella stepped forward with a beaming smile and bowed toward the audience. To my horror, she was wearing the dress my grandmother had tailored for her.

I rewound it again.

Nothing changed.

Rita snatched the phone back, her expression furious. “You didn’t know?”

I shook my head.

“That was on Saturday,” she added.

Saturday.

The day he told me he had something to take care of.

Something inside me cracked. “He didn’t tell me.”

Not. A. Single. Word.

“What an asshole. Men are such fucking pigs.”

Rita grabbed my shoulders and pulled me into a tight hug. “I’m so sorry, Amelia. I thought you knew, so I wanted to check if you’re okay…”

I shook my head, still in disbelief.

“But better now than later. Don’t let him make a fool out of you.”

She urged me to sit, and I did so mechanically.

My mind felt empty. My heart pounded dully as if it had been cracked open. And yet, all I could do was sit there.

Numb.

I worked on autopilot. No small talk, no unnecessary conversations. I just wanted to get through the day, go home and collapse.

I took a deep breath as I stepped out of the veterinary clinic.

It was cold, but I kept my jacket open.

I needed the cold.

Words. Images. Feelings.

They swirled in my head like a raging storm, refusing to settle.

Why did everything have to happen at once?

Losing two jobs? Fine. I could handle that. I’d find something else. Something to keep me afloat.

But Zane?

Hah.

My heart twisted painfully.

I felt betrayed.