Page 58 of Sold to Her Enemy

The first notes of her melody ring out. Mckenna closes her eyes as if she’s in pain.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” she murmurs.

I watch her face as she opens her eyes and stares straight ahead, wondering about her reaction. Ava isn’t everyone’s favorite person, but you can’t deny her talent. The high-floating notes fill the room.

But I take my eyes off Mckenna because I hear a fumble in my sister’s notes. It’s so slight that I’m sure most people in this room won’t pick up on it. Her shoulders tense, but she gets through the rest of the piece fine, and applause breaks out.

“Thank you, Ava!” Oliver says, standing on stage now. “Isn’t my bride-to-be the most talented musician you’ve ever heard?”

There is more polite applause, and then Oliver looks to the wings, and the back of my neck suddenly gets hot.

“I couldn’t celebrate this night without the most important people in Ava’s life. It took some effort to have them cut their vacation short, but I’m pleased to welcome Mr. and Mrs. McIntyre to our party!”

People stand on their feet, breaking out into applause. Photographers snap pictures as my father, his black hair gleaming under the stage lights, holds hands with my mother.

Mom looks good. She is in a dark red dress, her hair swept up, her red lipstick as always matches her shoes.

“Surprise, Ava, darling. We wanted to be here today to offer our congratulations.” My mom says, her arms outstretched to Ava.

Beside me, Mckenna freezes.

I put my arm around her and bring her close to me. “Look, hellion, full circle. Isn’t that nice?”

My parents haven’t been in the spotlight since the dismantling of MM Industries, so this is the perfect photo op for them.

Mom makes her way through the crowd, stopping to talk to friends she knows before reaching Ava, who is still sitting on the piano bench. Ava hugs her, but her eyes are on my father. “I’ll be back,” I squeeze Mckenna’s shoulder.

She nods.

I make my way to my father, thrilled that he is here. It almost makes up for not fucking Mckenna senseless and sitting through another one of Ava’s events.

After his best friend’s betrayal came to light, he stayed in his study and didn’t come out or talk to anyone for a week.

The press wrote horrible things about him, saying that he must have known what Davis Moran was up to with the mafia.

Dad makes his way to Ava, hugs her, and my sister’s usually stoic expression changes to a beaming smile. “Daddy!” Ava sounds young and innocent. My dad has that effect on her.

“I couldn’t miss your party,” Dad says. He gives her a hug and Ava eventually lets go of my dad.

“Hey Dad,” I extend my hand.

“Son,” Dad shakes my hand but brings me in for a man-hug.

He looks much healthier than the last time I saw him.

My mother throws her arms around me. “I couldn’t miss this night! Your father tells me he’s ready to return to work.”

I’m glad to hear it because I want my father to be at work with me. That was always the plan.

Oliver’s parents come over to us. Everyone is shaking hands and people are surrounding my parents.

The servers clear the appetizer plates and bring out the main course.

Across the room, Mckenna’s eyes lock with mine. She looks like a deer in headlights, and I don’t know if it’s seeing my parents or being here among more people, a reminder of the life she used to have, or both.

But she needs to snap out of it.

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