Contract Marriage with My Secret Partner in Crime-Chapter 74: Musical Truth

[161 Days Left to Live]

The bright lights of the studio softly warmed Zephany’s face as she stood behind the curtain, holding her trembling hands together.

The faint hum of cameras and murmur of the crew beyond the stage created a quiet buzz in her ears. She took a deep breath, adjusting the microphone clipped to her blouse. Her reflection in the glossy floor seemed too calm for how rapidly her heart was racing.

"Okay, Zeph, you’re on in two," a crew member whispered kindly, flashing her a thumbs-up before disappearing behind the equipment.

Zephany swallowed and nodded slowly. Her soft blue blouse felt too tight around the collar, and she could already feel her palms growing damp. Despite having faced worse in her line of work as a journalist and even as Eclipse, this moment felt terrifyingly different. She really was no longer used to being in the spotlight.

The curtains parted.

A lively voice filled the air. "Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your patience. We apologize for the sudden change, but due to an emergency, our scheduled host had to rush home. Lucky for us, I happen to always be around where I’m not supposed to be. Please welcome your host for today... me! Pia Clarkson!"

A ripple of laughter came from the small live audience in the studio.

Pia, dressed in a casual cream blazer and black pants, stepped into the spotlight with a bright grin. Her high ponytail bounced as she made her way across the stage.

"And with me today is someone incredibly special, someone the world hadn’t heard from in over a decade until recently. She’s the girl who once held the country spellbound with her melodies, the musical prodigy herself. Please welcome... Zephany Draven!"

Applause broke out.

Zephany hesitated only a beat before stepping out. Her steps were cautious, almost shy. She bowed slightly to the audience, offering a small, timid smile. The contrast between the old Zephany on record and the one sitting down now was startling.

They both sat across from each other. The set behind them flickered to life with a series of clips: Zephany as a child, standing before an orchestra, violin in hand. Then, a video of her playing the piano in a grand hall. Her fingers moved like water across the keys. The final clip showed her final public performance twelve years ago. She bowed deeply, and then... nothing.

The screen faded to black.

Pia leaned forward. "You know, watching those clips again gave me goosebumps. You were incredible, Zephany. Everyone believed you were born for music. And then... you disappeared. The whole country was stunned. So let me ask the question everyone wants to know... what happened to you?"

Zephany lowered her eyes for a moment, brushing her hair behind her ear. Her voice, soft but steady, broke the silence.

"My parents died that night... the night of my last performance." Her fingers curled slightly over her lap.

Pia blinked. "Zeph... I didn’t know."

"I couldn’t perform after that. I was grieving. And I didn’t want to be seen. The music... it reminded me of them. So I focused on studying. I stayed quiet. I just... needed to breathe."

She told half-truths and half-lies. freewebnσvel.cѳm

The records about her don’t mention how she was in and out of the hospital for the first five years after the incident. There is no mention of her being kidnapped. Even her father’s death was treated as just a regular fire incident.

So, there must be someone powerful behind all of it—someone who didn’t want the public to know the full truth.

The livestream chat exploded instantly.

@jillybeans: omg i remember that night!! so heartbreaking

@hailsupporter1999: I always wondered what happened to her... I can’t believe her parents died that night.

@melodysoul: no wonder she disappeared. poor girl

@violinistdreams: Zephany, if you read this, I hope you know we never stopped supporting you

Inside their house not far from the city, Kendrick sat on the edge of the couch, his eyes locked on the screen. His brows furrowed slightly.

"Twelve years ago... is she talking about the same night?" he muttered.

Levy, who was sitting nearby painting her nails, glanced over. "What did you say?"

Kendrick didn’t answer. His mind raced. Could her parents have been among the victims that night? Back then, he was unconscious in the hospital. So much of that time was a blur.

Back in the studio, Pia gave a brief nod before continuing.

"Thank you for sharing that. It must have taken a lot. Now, I’m going to ask the obvious question. Why now? Why perform again after all this time?"

Zephany looked straight at her friend.

"Because I can’t tolerate someone continuing to steal my music."

The audience gasped.

Pia’s brows shot up. "Are you referring to..."

"My cousin," Zephany replied calmly. "She’s been taking my compositions. They were ones I wrote when I was young. She told people they were hers, just like the melody she performed the other night. I think you knew about it."

There’s no way she would let her uncle’s family off the hook. This is a great chance.

The internet exploded again.

@musicsoul88: wait WHAT??? her cousin STOLE HER MUSIC??

@truthhurts: i knew something felt off about that girl’s music lately

@hailfan101: i heard both versions. Zephany’s was clearly the original.

@notcool: sue her. like fr.

@melodysoul: Zephany’s comeback was iconic and justified. no one should go through that.

In the control room, even the technicians exchanged looks of surprise. One muttered, "Damn. This got real."

Pia cleared her throat, visibly trying to keep things from spiraling too far off script.

"Last question," she said, sitting back with a smile that tried to soften the moment. "Everyone’s wondering this. Is this your big comeback? Are you planning to go back to the stage full-time, like before?"

Zephany’s smile was faint. She looked down at her lap for a second, then back up.

"No. I don’t think so. I don’t plan to perform again. At least, not in that way. I just wanted to speak the truth. To finally say something. I want to live my life quietly. Maybe continue writing... but from behind the scenes."

She folded her hands.

"I do want to thank everyone who supported me back then. And those who are still here now. I’m grateful, truly. I just ask that people give me the space to live the life I choose."

Pia reached over and gently squeezed Zephany’s hand. "We’re proud of you."

The feed ended.

The news spread like wildfire. Every entertainment outlet ran with the headline: "Zephany Draven Breaks Silence After 12 Years." Social media trended with hashtags: #ZephanyReturns, #MusicalTruth, #JusticeForZephany.

In a dark office, Cassius clicked the video off and whistled low. "Well, that was dramatic."