My Mother Killed Me For Her Stepdaughter novel Chapter 61

Before dinner, I had worried that, after years apart, there might be some distance between us. But chatting with Hector felt natural, as if we were back in school again. He even remembered my tastes, ordering dishes I loved. Thinking of Andrew, who would always order spicy food despite knowing I didn't like it, only to pick out the peppers in front of me and hand me the dish with a devoted look, made me feel foolish. What I once thought of as thoughtful now seemed absurd.

After dinner, Elisa insisted she needed to walk off her meal and pulled us towards the plaza. The square was buzzing with activity, a crowd gathered around the center. We then saw someone had arranged candles in the shape of a heart, with two speakers on the side. A melancholy melody filled the air, and in the center stood a large piano that looked all too familiar.

"Let's go," I said, my instincts warning me that nothing good would come from staying. Elisa seemed to sense the tension too, quickly pulling Hector to leave.

Just then, familiar words rang out from the speakers.

"I've been with my girlfriend for two years. I made a mistake that hurt her deeply, and only after we parted did I realize I couldn't let her go. So, I'm here, asking everyone to bear witness as I try to win her back and start anew. I hope she'll give me another chance."

Hector recognized the voice too, his expression hardening as he took my hand to lead me away. "Ignore him. Let's go." Even he could tell by now that I'd broken up with Andrew.

"Caroline, I'm sorry. Will you forgive me?" Somehow, Andrew spotted me hidden among the crowd and began striding toward me. The people parted, clearing a path for him. Dressed in a white suit, he smiled at me, then knelt on one knee, his gaze pleading.

"Will you give me one more chance?" he asked.

The uninformed crowd, swept up in the drama, called out, "Forgive him! Forgive him!"

How easy it is to advise forgiveness without sharing in someone's pain. Did he think that cornering me here would pressure me into agreeing?

I held back Hector and Elisa, who looked like they were about to lunge at him.

"Alright, but on one condition," I said with a smile. "Let's perform a duet on this piano. If you can keep up, I'll consider forgiving you."

As the final note faded, the audience erupted in applause. With everyone watching, we walked away, dignified and unbothered.

By tomorrow, when this video spreads, his reputation will be in shambles. Someone who thrives on theatrics will never understand the true beauty of music.

"That was amazing, Mom! And it sounded so beautiful!" Elisa's eyes sparkled with excitement in the car.

"It was impressive," Hector added with a small laugh, and the two exchanged a high-five. I blushed, feeling a bit embarrassed.

"May I take you to dinner tomorrow?" Hector asked, standing outside my door with a sincerity that made his face look even more handsome.

I nodded, and his eyes lit up, promising to pick me up tomorrow.