Page 37 of Symphony for Lies (Tangled Truths #2)

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.”

I remained silent.

“Zane barely speaks to me anymore,” she went on. “I understand why. I rushed things. I’m a perfectionist.” She let out a dry laugh, shaking her head. “I made many mistakes, always thinking I was doing what was best for my family.”

I didn’t know why she was opening up to me, but I let her speak.

“Zane is pulling away, and I’m losing him completely. I don’t want that to happen.”

“I know what you’re hoping to hear, Mrs. Cole. But you already got everything you wanted. I stayed away from your son. I lost my jobs. You wanted me gone from the vet—”

“Oh, not this again,” she cut in, her voice trembling slightly. “Yes, I fired you from tutoring Simon. But everything else… that wasn’t me. Zane accused me of it, too.”

A quiet, humorless laugh slipped from my lips. “Sure.”

“Please, Amelia! Why would I go that far? What reason would I have?” She hesitated. “Alright… maybe I could have had a reason. But spreading rumors? That would have hurt my family’s reputation, too.”

Her words made sense, but I didn’t care.“Maybe. It doesn’t matter anymore.” I motioned toward the boxes. “If that’s all, I’d like to finish packing.”

“I’m sorry,” she murmured dejectedly. “I really am. And… I’ll be… going now. ”

I walked her to the door, and just as I opened it, Spencer raised his hand to knock on the other side.

“Oh. Hi,” he greeted, surprised.

I waved it off.

“Have a good day, Mrs. Cole.”

She gave a slight nod and disappeared down the street.

Spencer studied me carefully, his brows furrowing. “What did she want?”

“Nothing that matters anymore.”

I placed the flowers on the table, my gaze drifting to the remaining boxes.

It’s time to close this chapter.

The key handover was quick and emotionless. My chest was tight, but somehow, I managed to hold it together.

Stacy, on the other hand, couldn’t stop crying. She sobbed so much as we walked away from the house, that in the end, I was the one comforting her.

Tiana and Layla joined us before we all stepped into my new home. I had only chosen the design, leaving the rest to the workers, but seeing it left me in awe.

The apartment was painted in warm white, with framed pictures already hanging on the walls.

When you walked in, clean hallways led straight to the living room—a cozy seating area with a soft couch facing a sleek TV mounted on the opposite wall.

Floor-to-ceiling curtains swayed gently in the evening breeze, framing the view of a peaceful park just beyond the balcony.

It was beautiful.

“Wow.”

The girls squealed with excitement, pulling me further inside. We kicked our shoes off, hung up our jackets, and began exploring the space.

Adjacent to the living room was an elegant, compact, modern kitchen designed with simplicity in mind. The bathroom was small but thoughtfully styled, and every detail was carefully placed.

The moment I stepped inside my bedroom, it felt familiar. It was larger than my old room but arranged in a way that made me feel safe. Like I had been in my old home. My gaze drifted to the framed cruise ticket on the wall.

A new beginning, but one that carried the memories of my life.

I sank onto the couch while Tiana and Layla clinked their glasses with Stacy’s.

“Now this…” Tiana declared, pouring a glass of non-alcoholic champagne. “…is what I call a fresh start.”

Layla grinned, raising her own glass. “I couldn’t agree more.”

I smiled, not just because of their words, but because, for the first time in a long while, everything felt… right.

That night, my friends stayed over, filling the apartment with warmth and laughter.

Adjusting to my new routine took time, but I settled in quickly. It was a blessing.

It became a habit to read through the book my grandmother had left me—a collection of her own writings, carefully put together just for me .

She had also left me several dresses that she had sewn herself. I hung them in my closet and often ran my fingers over the fabric as if they still carried her presence.

On a sunny evening, Spencer stopped by with a housewarming gift for my balcony.

“For planting,” he said, handing me a small bouquet of delicate flowers tied together with twine.

We sat in the living room, talking about my day and how I was adjusting. It was easy, effortless until his expression turned serious.

“Amelia, I don’t want to bother you, but…”He reached into his bag, pulled out a sealed envelope, and placed it carefully on the table.

“I’m stuck.” His voice was laced with exhaustion.

“It’s about the case. I’ve been trying to decipher the notes we found with Miss.

River.” He ran a hand through his hair. “It looks like a farewell. It feels like a final message—no more murders, no new leads. But I can’t shake the feeling that something’s off. ”

I stayed silent, letting his words sink in.

“There were notes at the site where Mr. Cole was kidnapped, too. I took pictures.” He tapped the envelope. “I don’t want to pressure you. But if you’re willing, take a look. Maybe you’ll see something I can’t.”

I leaned over slightly and placed my hand over his, squeezing it gently.“I’ll look at them. If I find anything, I’ll let you know.” I gave him a small, sincere smile.

He ruffled my hair. “Thanks.” Clearing his throat, he stood. “I should get going.”

I nodded and walked him to the door.

After closing the door behind him, I lingered, listening to the quiet.

My eyes drifted to the envelope.

I could’ve opened it right then, but I wasn’t ready.

Instead, I showered, changed into my nightgown, and took the flowers to the balcony.

As I planted them in the small garden bed, I hummed softly. The air was crisp as a warm breeze brushed against my skin.

I felt light, content, and at ease.

“What a view.” The deep, velvety voice sliced through the air like the slow drag of a blade.

Zane.

My breath hitched.

He stood on the balcony next to mine, leaning lazily against the railing. His brown eyes locked onto mine like a predator that had spotted prey.

The sunset cast molten gold over his skin, sharpening the angles of his face and making him look almost unreal. His hair was effortlessly tousled, and even in casual clothes, he carried himself with sinful confidence that made my stomach tighten.

His gaze traced the curve of my neck before drifting lower, lingering on the thin slip of fabric that had fallen from my shoulder.

Heat rushed to my face, and I quickly adjusted the strap of my nightgown.

“What are you doing here?” My voice was sharper than I intended, but he only smirked.

That smirk. The one that promised trouble. The one that made my knees feel unsteady.

“I bought the building.”

I blinked. “What?”

“And now, I’m your new neighbor.”

A heatwave ran over my body.