Page 120 of Symphony for Lies

A wave of nausea rolled over me. I had just been fired.

First, Mrs. Cole, and then the school.

I sat there, stunned until a soft knock at the door snapped me from my mental spiral.

Linda stepped inside the room. “Amelia, can you come to my office for a moment?”

Still reeling, I followed her and sat down.

She perched on the desk, her gaze serious.“I usually don’t interfere in personal matters. But this time, I have to.”

My heart sank. Was she about to fire me, too?

“Two women came here last week. They offered me a large sum of money to fire you and told me something ridiculous.”

My entire body froze.“What?”

“I don’t take bribes, Amelia. And I don’t believe in rumors. But I need you to be careful. These women, whoever they are, wanted to ruin you.”

A chill ran down my spine. “Who?”

She waved it off. “I didn’t bother remembering their names. That doesn’t matter.” She placed a firm hand on my shoulder. “I don’t know what’s going on in your life. But ever since the poisoning cases, things have changed. You’ve done a lot, Amelia. You’ve taken on so many shifts and worked so much overtime. If you want, take some time off. Rest.”

I shook my head.“Thank you, Linda. But I’m staying.”

She gently squeezed my shoulder before returning to her desk and settling into her chair.

“I’m sorry you had to deal with this.”

“Don’t apologize, Amelia. It’s okay.”

She smiled, sliding some documents toward me. “Here. These need to be updated. Give them to Robert.”

And just like that, the conversation was over.

On my way to the front desk, Rita grabbed my wrist and yanked me into the break room.

“Isn’t that your guy?” She shoved her phone into my hand.

I barely had time to grip the device properly before she furiously tapped on the screen.

A video began playing.

Zane stood in the center of a small stage, playing the violin.

“Yeah… that’s him.”

I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to see until Rita fast-forwarded to the end.

Zane was still on stage, violin in hand, as a voice boomed over the speakers,“And now, the wonderful news—the engagement of Ella Aria and Zane Cole!”

Heat and cold waves surged through me at the same time. I rewound the video and played it again.

And again. And again.

Every. Single. Time. The same words. The same image.

Zane… he didn’t say anything. He didn’t react. His hands were clasped behind his back, his gaze fixed on the floor.

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