Chapter 181
Nate turned to Theo, clearly trying to shift the blame.
“Theo, the reason we lost this time is because you’re still too inexperienced. Did you see how well Matty performed? That o.1- point difference Kelly lost because of you.” T
But Theo’s mind was still stuck on the image of Sharon performing onstage.
He’d never seen his mom like that before. She looked like someone else-radiant, almost unreachable. And yet, he couldn’t look away
Was that really his mom? When had she become so incredible? She was even better than Kelly.
He was just a kid. He didn’t know much about music. But even he could tell-his mom’s violin sounded better. Way better.
And that Matty…
He didn’t want to admit it, but Matty’s playing was leagues ahead of his.
Their duet had been nearly flawless.
He couldn’t argue with that.
Looking down, Theo muttered, “I’m sorry. I held Kelly back.”
Nate nodded. “Exactly. If it weren’t for you, Kelly would’ve gotten a perfect score. So really, this isn’t even her loss.”
Madeline whipped her head toward him, livid. “What kind of nonsense is that? You might be able to feed that line to a five-year- old, but do you think the rest of us are deat and brainless?”
Nate visibly recoiled under her glare.
Only then did it hit him-criticizing Theo in front of Madeline had been a very bad idea.
He cleared his throat and said, “Madeline, that’s not what I meant. I just don’t want Sharon getting too full of herself. We all know how talented Theo is. But… you also know Kelly made that bet with Sharon…”
Madeline cut him off coldly. “Kelly lost the bet. What does that have to do with Theo?”
Nate pressed on, “We were the ones who asked Kelly to perform with Theo. They didn’t win-Sharon did. Don’t you think she’s gloating right now? If we admit Kelly lost, that means Theo lost too. Do you really want to see Sharon walk in here acting all superior? And besides, Theo’s her biological son. What’s there to brag about-beating your own kid? Even she wouldn’t be shameless enough to act like that’s some kind of win.”
Madeline’s brow twitched slightly. She hated the idea of Sharon acting like she was on top.
Just then, there was a soft knock at the door.
Carter stepped in, Sharon right behind him.
The moment she entered, the room went still.
All eyes turned to her-stares sharp, defensive. Like she didn’t belong.
Anyone with a weaker heart might’ve shrunk under the weight of it. But Sharon didn’t flinch. She ignored the looks and locked eyes with Kelly.
“Kelly,” she said evenly, “can I have my mother’s necklace back now?”
Almost instinctively, Kelly reached for the necklace at her throat. Her long hair veiled the storm brewing in her eyes.
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The moment she realized she’d lost, she’d wanted to rip it off and fling it away. If she couldn’t have it, she didn’t want Sharon to
have it either.
But the impulse passed quickly.
That would’ve made it too obvious. If she actually did that, Carter might think she’d done it on purpose.
Before Kelly could say a word, Nate jumped in.
“Don’t get ahead of yourself, Sharon. Kelly didn’t lose to you. The one who lost was Theo.”
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