Chapter 769



Elma, in particular, seemed transformed by the simple joy of playing outdoors. Her cheeks were flushed, and her hair damp with sweat, but her smile was wide and genuine—something Kallie hadn’t seen in far too long. For Elma, moments like these were few and far between. Her childhood had been defined by restrictions. She was kept indoors, away from the fun and freedom other children took for granted. Kite flying and amusement park trips, full of hearty laughter, had always felt like distant dreams.

In the past, Betty had kept Elma company, easing her loneliness with stories and the strange, wonderful things she had brought from the outside world. But now, even Betty was gone, leaving a shadow of uncertainty in Elma’s heart. The joy of the day was real, but it couldn’t completely mask the ache of missing Betty. Everything felt surreal to Elma, like a dream she never wanted to wake up from.

The day had worn Elma out, and she soon dozed off, her small body slumping uncomfortably in the car seat.

Kallie glanced at her sleeping daughter, her heart softening. Without hesitation, she scooped Elma into her arms, cradling her gently. Elma stirred but found comfort nestled against her mother’s chest. Kallie freed a hand to wipe the sweat from her daughter’s brow, sighing softly.

“You’re drenched, but you didn’t say a word. If you catch a cold, it won’t be good for you.” Her tone was tender, filled with love rather than scolding.

Half-asleep, Elma felt warmth and safety in her mother’s embrace. It was like being wrapped in a soft, protective blanket, and she made no effort to resist. Instead, she snuggled deeper into Kallie’s arms, wrapping her small hands around her mother’s waist, seeking the comfort she had missed for so long.

Kallie smiled, gently patting Elma’s back, lulling her further into sleep.

When Elma woke again, she was tucked snugly into her bed, her clothes freshly changed, and her body free of the sweat from earlier. Groggy and a little disoriented, Elma sat up, blinking in the dim light of her room. A quiet thought whispered in her mind, a realization so soft it almost felt like a spell. “Is this magic? I finally have my mom with me now.” A soft smile spread across her lips.

Day after day, the concert hall buzzed with the melodies of different musicians. Determined, Sophie attended the concert each day, never missing a single performance. Hoping to increase her chances of winning, Sophie made an effort to get to know the other competitors, studying what made their performances different from her own.

Kallie thought Sophie played beautifully, but she didn’t discourage her from attending the concerts. She was glad to see Sophie’s dedication and willingness to put in the effort. She just had to make sure Sophie remembered to take breaks and not push herself too hard.

Elma, unlike her sister, quickly lost interest in the concerts. After going a few times, she found them dull. To keep Elma entertained, Kallie asked Calvin to take her out for a fun day.

As always, Kallie made sure bodyguards discreetly followed Calvin and Elma to ensure their safety. The memory of the last incident still lingered in Kallie’s mind, making her cautious.

Every day, Kallie accompanied Sophie to the concert, offering her support.

One day, while backstage, Kallie and Sophie overheard an argument. The harsh words cut through the air like knives.

“This is a place for the best,” one voice sneered. “And you clearly don’t belong. Just look at that beat-up piano of yours! It’s probably not even worth fifty thousand dollars. It’s an embarrassment to have it here.”

The speaker sounded like a child, probably around Sophie’s age.

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