The soft hum of the crowd filled the air as the stage lights dimmed, signaling the beginning of something new—something long awaited. Cameras zoomed in, the murmurs hushed, and in the center of the stage stood Mio Lockheart, dressed in a long, elegant gown of soft silver that shimmered under the spotlight like moonlight on still water.
For a moment, she closed her eyes. Her fingers brushed against the microphone, her breathing slow and steady. Then, when the music began—gentle piano chords interwoven with faint strings—the world seemed to stop.
Her voice, when it came, was soft. Fragile at first. But it carried an undeniable strength—one that resonated through every corner of the auditorium.
> "I loved you in silence, through shadows and rain,
Carrying a smile that was painted with pain."
