Side Chick Era... Over

Chapter 996

Sharon could hardly believe her eyes.

She moved into the room as if in a trance and lifted Shaluna into her hands. The familiar weight, the texture beneath her fingers–it made her throat tighten, her vision blur with unshed tears.

Clutching the violin to her chest, she felt the cold wood press against her skin, achingly precious, achingly

familiar.

She hadn’t cried in so long. Yet in this moment, tears slipped free, streaming down her face.

This violin had been her mother’s gift to her. And still, she had watched helplessly as it was destroyed, powerless to protect it.

That day, the grief had carved into her a bitter truth–that she wasn’t even strong enough to shield the things she loved most.

Wendy’s chest constricted as she watched her dearest friend cry. Her own eyes grew hot, rimmed with red.

She and Sharon had been inseparable for years. She had eaten countless meals at Shayla’s table, basked in her warmth and kindness. Shayla had been a gentle, radiant woman, untouched by time’s cruelty, her beauty and grace as luminous as ever.

In Wendy’s memory, Shayla was always poised with a violin in her hands, dazzling, unforgettable.

day Shaluna was destroyed, Wendy’s heart had shattered–not only for

swore vengeance. Whatever the cost, she

Sharon was in the hospital, Wendy had begged Julliard

for it herself, but Sharon had been gravely

the end, it was Thomas–tired of Wendy’s constant questions–who took it upon himself to search. For days, he scoured every lead. According to him, the violin had been hidden

plucked at

room, carrying Wendy back

stand as a true violinist had long slipped away.

in her heart slowly began

strings…

inclined his head. “The damage was too severe. I found identical strings and restrung

blinked, pulling herself from her reverie. “Sharon,

1/3

He studied artifact restoration once. His skill rivals the

wanted to send it out to be repaired. But Shaluna was too badly ruined. Even restringing it seemed

end, it was Thomas who

handed it over anyway. Better to let him attempt it than

She hadn’t expected much.