Page 151 of Share with Me

“That’s possible, but if that’s the case then He has something better in store for you, Ivan. From the pit a concerto rises.”

“From the pit a concerto rises?”

“Stop echoing me, Ivan.”

And yet…

All his life Ivan had wanted to be a concert violinist. What if that wasn’t what God wanted him to do? The thought scared him. As if on cue, his left wrist twitched and a sharp pain shot up his arm to his elbow. He winced.

“Your wrist is not your life, Ivan.”

Ivan knew she was right.

And yet…

“Please don’t come here anymore, Brin. What we had was in the past. It’s over. Go on with your life. Find someone who can take care of you better than I ever can.”

“Who’s telling who what to do now?”

“I want you to have a great life, Brin. But it’s not with me.”

“And you’ve determined that because you broke your wrist.”

“I’ve had time to think about it.” His wrist wasn’t healing. It had been three weeks since the cast came off. He couldn’t do anything with his violin.

“You’re thinking with your emotions, Ivan.”

“Emotions? What can I say? I’m a passionate man.”

“Mozart had emotions too, Ivan. And he died in poverty because he couldn’t manage his rich life.”

Mozart? She’s insulting me with Mozart?He had no comeback for that.

“If you’re in pain, this is not the time to make life-changing decisions—”

“Change? Everything has changed, Brin.” He raised his left wrist in protest. “My concert career? Over. SISO? I’ve been replaced. My auditions with ASO? Cancelled. My hope to play in Boston? Forget it. My music studio? Closed. My bills? Mounting up.”

This broken wrist is the death of me.

The more he thought of it, the more his anger rose. “All because of your stupid Strad. I want my life back!”

“It’s my fault now?” Tears welled up in Brinley’s eyes. “I thought you wanted the Strad. Didn’t you?”

“Don’t you get it? You ruined my career, my life, everything!”

Ivan couldn’t believe he said that. He’d taken it out on Brinley. He wished he could take back the words. He was about to pull her toward him, kiss away the tears, and tell her everything was going to be fine.

But he’d be lying. Here on out, nothing was going to be the same again.

And yet…

No. It has to end right now or my life will spiral further down.

“So let me give it to you plainly. Goodbye, Brinley Brooks. Close the door on your way out.”

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