The morning sun filtered through the tall windows of the Rowe estate, casting a warm glow on the dusty piano. Amara sat silently on the bench, her fingers lightly resting on the keys. Ethan stood a few feet away, giving her space but watching her closely.
He could see the conflict in her eyes—nostalgia, pain, and a hesitant longing.
"You don't have to play," Ethan said gently, breaking the silence. "But if you want to, I'll be here to listen."
Amara's lips parted as if to respond, but she said nothing. Instead, she pressed a single key, and the sound echoed softly in the room, fragile but clear.
Ethan didn't interrupt as Amara's fingers tentatively moved to the next key, then the next. A simple melody began to form, one that spoke of longing and sorrow. The tune faltered as Amara's hands trembled, and she abruptly stopped, withdrawing as if burned.
"I can't," she muttered, standing up and turning away.
"You can," Ethan said firmly. "You just haven't allowed yourself to try in a long time."
Amara shook her head. "You don't understand. Every time I sit here, I hear his voice. Telling me I'm wasting my time. Telling me I'll never be good enough."
Ethan's jaw tightened. "Your father was wrong, Amara. You don't need his approval to be worthy."
She didn't respond, her back still turned to him. Ethan stepped closer, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
"You're not the person he tried to shape you into," he continued. "You're stronger than that. And you have every right to embrace what you love."
Amara finally turned to face him, her expression guarded but vulnerable. "Why do you care so much?"
Ethan met her gaze, his voice steady. "Because I can see how much this matters to you, even if you've buried it. And because you deserve someone who believes in you."
The system chimed softly in Ethan's mind, breaking the emotional tension.
Ding!
Amara's Emotional Update: Tentative Trust
Current Mood: Reluctant but Hopeful.
Reward: 300 Pampering Points.
Ethan hid a small smirk. The system might have rewarded him, but the real victory was the faint flicker of trust he saw in Amara's eyes.
They spent the rest of the day exploring the estate. Amara led Ethan through the overgrown gardens, pointing out hidden nooks and crumbling statues she used to admire as a child. For the first time, Ethan saw her smile—not the polite, practiced smile she wore at social events, but a genuine one that made her eyes sparkle.
"This was my favorite spot," Amara said, stopping in front of an old fountain covered in moss. "I used to sit here and read for hours."
Ethan took a seat on the edge of the fountain, gesturing for her to join him. "Do you miss it?"
"Sometimes," she admitted, her gaze distant. "But it's hard to enjoy a place that's filled with so many painful memories."
Ethan leaned back, his tone casual. "Then we'll make new ones. Better ones."
Amara glanced at him, surprised. "You make it sound so easy."
"It's not," Ethan said honestly. "But it's possible. And I'm willing to try if you are."
Her expression softened, and for a moment, she looked at him as if she was truly seeing him for the first time.
As they returned to the mansion, Ethan made a mental note to have the estate restored. It was clear that, despite the pain it held, this place was tied to who Amara was before the world turned against her.
Ding!
New Task Unlocked: Restore the Rowe Estate
Objective: Renovate the estate to give Amara a space to reclaim her identity and passions.
Reward: 1000 Pampering Points + Skill: Interior Design Mastery.
Ethan raised an eyebrow at the reward but smirked. "Looks like I'll be busy."
As they settled in for the evening, Amara hesitated at the door of the room she'd chosen for herself. "Thank you...for today," she said softly.
Ethan nodded. "You don't need to thank me. I'm your husband, Amara. It's my job to be here for you."
Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she quickly stepped into her room, shutting the door behind her.
Ethan chuckled under his breath, heading to his own room. Progress might be slow, but it was progress nonetheless.
End of Chapter 16