BACKSTAGE — MOMENTS AFTER THE SONG
The final note faded into the air like a sigh, and for a heartbeat, the room was silent. Then the applause erupted—loud, thunderous, raw. People whistled, clapped, and even rose to their feet. Someone shouted, "Encore!"
But all Lily could think of was the image still burned into her mind—her stepsister, her own blood, leaning into the arms of him.
Her ex. The one who had mocked her, spread lies about her, and turned her vulnerability into entertainment for others. The one who had taken everything she'd given in trust and made her regret ever knowing him.
And now Ruilin, her sister of all people, was smiling in his embrace.
Her throat tightened. Her stomach churned. It felt like bile was rising.
She dipped into a curtsey, the picture of grace, even as her vision blurred. Don't cry here. Don't let them see. She forced her lips into a smile and left the stage, each step heavier than the last.
She barely made it three steps backstage before a flood of people swarmed her.
"Miss Liang! That was incredible!"
"I haven't heard a voice like that in years!"
"You're a natural star!"
Warm hands patted her shoulders, squeezed her arms. Compliments rained down on her like confetti she couldn't catch.
One woman clasped Lily's hands in hers. "Where have you been hiding? You could be headlining shows!"
Lily forced another smile, her cheeks aching from holding it. "Thank you… you're very kind."
A young assistant bounced excitedly. "I swear, Miss Liang, you had the audience in a trance. Even the sound crew was watching you instead of the monitor."
"That's… really nice to hear," Lily replied softly, her voice barely above the noise in her head.
In truth, she wanted to run. The walls felt too close, the air too thick. Their words, kind as they were, couldn't touch the hollow ache inside her chest.
Why, Ruilin? she thought bitterly. I could almost understand your hatred for me. But to go to him? Do you have any idea what he did to me? Or did you choose him because of it?
She blinked rapidly, trying to chase away the tears threatening to spill.
Then the director himself, Yung Li, approached, clapping his hands together with a smile so wide it nearly touched his ears.
"Magnifique! You were divine out there, Lily. I'll see to it that you receive a very generous fee for your performance."
"It's fine, Mr. Yung Li," she replied quickly. "I was honored you even gave me the chance to perform in front of so many people. Your belief in me is payment enough."
"Oh ma chérie, tu es adorable!" he exclaimed, his French accent thick and charming. He leaned closer, lowering his voice. "If you are ever in need of anything, anything at all, you know who to contact." He slipped a crisp business card into her hand with a conspiratorial wink.
She took it, tucking it into her clutch. "Thank you."
"Now, go and rest," he said warmly. "Stars need their sleep."
She offered a small bow of her head and, with a polite "Goodnight," turned and made her escape before anyone else could stop her.
She stepped out into the cool night air, the city buzzing faintly around her.
A taxi slowed when she raised her hand. The driver, a middle-aged man with tired eyes, rolled down the window. "Where to, miss?"
"Liang Gardens, please," she said, her voice quiet.
As the cab pulled away, the city lights blurred through her tears.
She turned her face to the window, but the driver must have caught sight of her reflection in the mirror. "You okay, miss?" he asked gently.
She let out a small laugh that wasn't really a laugh. "Im fine."
He reached into the glove compartment, rummaging for a moment before handing her a clean handkerchief. "Here. Keep it. You look like you need it more than I do."
Her chest ached at the simple kindness. "Thank you… If only my family were so kind," she murmured, almost to herself.
"Family can be the hardest sometimes," the driver said knowingly. "But I'm sure you've got people who love you."
She nodded faintly. "I do. My grandparents."
And that thought alone was enough to make her breathe a little easier.
THE FRONT YARD — GRANDPARENTS' HOME
The taxi slowed, turning into a quiet lane. The wrought-iron gates of Liang Gardens stood tall, ivy curling along their edges. Beyond them, she could already see the faint golden glow of her grandparents' porch lights.
Her heart tightened again—but this time, not in pain.
The car stopped at the curb. She paid the driver, who gave her a small nod. "Take care of yourself, miss."
Her lips twitched in something that was almost a smile. "I will. Thank you."
As the taxi pulled away, she stood for a moment, just breathing in the cool air. Here, the silence wasn't heavy like at the Liang mansion. It wasn't the kind that pressed on your chest. It was… gentle.
She walked up the stone path, her heels clicking against it, the sound echoing faintly. The familiar scent of camellias drifted from the garden. She paused on the porch, the old wooden boards creaking under her weight, and before she could even raise her hand to knock—
The door flung open.
"Lily?!" Her grandmother's voice was an octave higher than usual, the way it got when she was happy. "Oh, my sweet girl, what a surprise!"
Before Lily could respond, she was swept into her grandmother's arms, pressed against the soft wool of her cardigan. The faint scent of jasmine and baking bread clung to her.
"My darling, you've lost weight again," her grandmother fussed immediately, leaning back just far enough to scan her from head to toe. "And your cheeks—why are they so pale? Have you been eating properly?"
Lily opened her mouth to say something, but her grandfather's booming voice came from the hallway.
"Well, well, look who's here!" He was grinning ear to ear, his eyes crinkled at the corners. "If it isn't my little starlet!" He strode forward, pulling her into a warm, solid hug that smelled faintly of cedarwood and tea. "Your grandmother and I watched the livestream of your performance. My goodness, Lily, you were… breathtaking."
Lily tried to smile. "I didn't think you'd be watching."
"Are you kidding?" he scoffed, pretending to look offended. "We bragged to all the neighbors. Even Mrs. Wong from down the street says her grandson wants your autograph."
Her grandmother swatted his arm. "Let the girl breathe. Lily, darling, come inside. You must be freezing in that dress. And you're shivering! Oh heavens, you didn't eat before performing, did you? I'll make you something warm."
"I'm fine, Grandma—"
"Nonsense. You sit. I'll make your favorite—rose and chrysanthemum tea, and maybe some of those almond cookies you love." She ushered Lily toward the sofa, her hands firm but gentle on her shoulders. "You'll stay the night, won't you? I'll prepare the guest room."
Lily's throat closed up, her voice barely a whisper. "If… if that's alright."
Her grandfather chuckled. "Alright? It's mandatory. We've been telling you for months to stay over more often. This house feels empty without you."
Something in Lily's chest cracked. She bit the inside of her cheek to keep her emotions at bay, but the warmth, the fussing, the way they looked at her like she was the most precious thing in the world—it was too much.
Her grandmother returned with the tea tray, but before she could set it down, Lily's vision blurred. The first tear slid down her cheek.
"Oh, sweetheart…" Her grandmother placed the tray aside and gathered her close again, no hesitation, no questions. Her grandfather wrapped an arm around them both, rubbing her back in slow, steady circles.
They didn't press her for answers. They didn't demand to know why she'd shown up unannounced in the middle of the night. They just… held her, their presence wrapping around her like the thickest, warmest blanket in the world.
And for the first time that evening, Lily let herself fall apart, knowing she was in the one place where it was safe to do so.